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Originally Posted by WilderPegasus
Yes. Much better to take a guy like Turris instead of a guy like Yakupov or Landeskog.
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Both of your examples are Euros how made the commitment at age 17 to play in the NHL by coming over and developing in the CHL.
Turris on the other hand was similar to the Euros being picked in the top 6 in that he stayed at home and played a lower calibre hockey when he was drafted. He and his family were not committed to him playing in the NHL.
If Barkov, Lindholm and/or Nichkushkin had played this year in the CHL they might be the top pick overall. The risk factor in picking them would be reduced by at least half.
They would have shown that they will do what it takes to play in the NHL. Right now they may be strong characters but the decision they have made is to stay at home and eat Mom's cooking.
When I heard that Cervenka showed up in Calgary at the last minute before training camp and needed an interpreter it was not hard to predict he was not NHL ready..... not as a player but as a person.
The Flames organization is at fault for not getting him over to Calgary the day after they signed him so he could start working at fitting in.
Jamie Mclennan described his brief stint in the KHL in his book. It sounded a lot like Don Cherry's AHL days.... except with guns.