Jump to content
The Official Site of the Vancouver Canucks
Canucks Community

Russian Prospects


Plum

Recommended Posts

We all know Russian prospects are usually taught offense first. Most of the time their offensive skills are extremely good compared to Canadians. Picking late Russians can become steals couldn't they? Yes, they can bolt to the KHL but late picks don't usually turn into good players.

I was watching the WJs last year and it seemed all those Russian forwards were great offensively, so much speed and skill.

What i'm asking is, should we pick Russian players in the late rounds? For example, Datsyuk.

I put it here since I don't want this to become a Nichuskin thread, I just want to see it overall in the NHL.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

interesting points, but the success rate is far to low on russians, especially with our scouting staff, picked in the later rounds, picks like datsyuk are absolute needle in haystack situations. would much rather pick a late bloomer imo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

interesting points, but the success rate is far to low on russians, especially with our scouting staff, picked in the later rounds, picks like datsyuk are absolute needle in haystack situations. would much rather pick a late bloomer imo.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Obviously there's less risk, but it would be much harder to convince a young Russian guy to come over and play in the AHL, where he's not familiar with the language, the style of play, and is so far from home, when there's little chance to make it big. If I was Russian and taken in say the 6th round, I know I'm not going to become and NHL star and i would probably stay at home. Every once in a while you get a Datsyuk (though not always someone of his skill level), but I think there would be less incentive for a low-end player to move over here.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If we had a scout of Gradins quality in Russia (Bure) I would absolutely start taking Russians in the 2nd round and later. But we don't and as we are shy of Russian players in the farm/prospects and big team I would be hesitant without taking two or three in one draft just to make sure we'd not be alienating players via language barriers and culture shocks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I feel like the stereotype is overrated. Anyone can bolt for the KHL. Just off the top of my head some Flyers players I remember leaving for the KHL in recent years...

- Lasse Kukkonen (Finnish)

- Stefan Ruzicka (Slovakian)

- Alexandre Picard (Canadian)

- Robert Esche (American)

- Patrick Thoresen (Norwegian)

- Randy Robitaille (Canadian)

- Matt Ellison (Canadian)

- Niko Dimitrakos (American)

- Martin Grenier (Canadian)

I cheated and looked at a roster from a few years to refresh my memory but ether way all players who were connected to the Flyers and in some cases other teams and all ended up in the KHL at one point or another. There are some were aging and falling out of the NHL and wanted more real ice time and money. Some were still decent prospects and just wanted a better chance to play. Some had/are having pretty impressive KHL careers.

In other words I would just take whoever I think is the most promising player nationality aside. Any player could bolt for another league if they feel they aren't getting the fitting oppertunity to shine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...