Zaitsev / Provorov - meet the long awaited Russian elite D pairing

[Zine]

On the subject of future d-men, keep an eye open to 2001 Artemy Knyazev. I know its laughably early but that kid is ridiculous.

 

[Fantomas]

On the subject of future d-men, keep an eye open to 2001 Artemy Knyazev. I know its laughably early but that kid is ridiculous.

What's new on him?

 

[93LEAFS]

Sergachyov is a much more likely candidate than Zaitsev, and I don't have anything against Zaitsev, I just don't necessarily see a no1 pairing guy in NHL (let alone a no1 pairing guy on a national team), considering he's already 24 and all.
(...granted, Sergachyov's a LHS, but mostly played RD in junior)

Pretty sure Zaitsev is already on Russia's top pairing. He's been top 2 for Russia in TOI in both games. Russia's d isn't elite, and I'm not expecting Zaitsev to be clear #1 on the Leafs this year or even top pairing, but for this tournament he seems to be Russia's top defender. Sergachev has a very high-ceiling but a long way to go.

 

[sxvnert]

I am going out on a limb here and about to make a bold prediction:

Russia might finally have an elite defensive pairing in the next few years.

Right handed Zaitsev and left handed Provorov will make an ideal pairing.

Both have very good hockey IQ, solid offensively and defensively.

He signed with the leafs so that's now impossible.

 

[Kshahdoo]

And we have Zadorov, Tryamkin and a whole lot of young KHL guys. Yeah, WCH 2020 should be much brighter for Team Russia. Pity, it's going to be Team Russia, playing Canadian hockey...

 

[jj cale]

And we have Zadorov, Tryamkin and a whole lot of young KHL guys. Yeah, WCH 2020 should be much brighter for Team Russia. Pity, it's going to be Team Russia, playing Canadian hockey...

If you are fortunate it will be, that is the way to play.

 

[AvroArrow]

Why are people acting like 24 is so old ? He'll only be 26 by the time the next olympics come around. D guys more times than not hit their primes later than forwards anyhow

 

[Hanji]

If you are fortunate it will be, that is the way to play.

There is no Canadian style anymore. There's a globalized style everyone more or less plays, except Russia who is slow to integrate different styles into their game; they're quite one dimensional.

 

[The Podium]

I hope so. You won't see me complaining

 

[Siludin]

Zaitsev is getting the Gudbranson treatment in this thread.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Zaitsev will never be elite.

Sergachev on the other hand...

 

[TimeZone]

Zaitsev is 24 already. You expect him to explode soon?

I only saw Provorov in the WHL playoffs in 2015 and thought if he's one of the top D-man in the draft then the 2015 draft is pretty weak (and it is IMO).

24 for a Defenseman is still incredibly young. You're also basing your opinion of Provorov on an extremely small sample size. I think when it's all said and done, 2015 will go down as one of the better Drafts in recent memory.

 

[WTFMAN99]

Zaitsev if he adapts successfully to the NHL could have 8-12 years ahead of him. He's entering prime years for a defenseman, he's gained experience.

I think he's looked very good this tournament.