Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fonz
Played Canadian Jr prior to draft:
- Yakupov - 1st - 48 NHLGP
- Grigorenko - 12th - 25 NHLGP
- Namestnikov - 27th - 44 AHLGP
- Burmistrov - 8th - 194 NHLGP
- Kulikov - 14th - 232 NHLGP
Played KHL prior to draft:
- Vasilevski - 19th - 0 NHL/AHLGP
- Tarasenko - 16th - 38 NHLGP
- Kuznetsov - 26th - 0 NHL/AHLGP
Nichushkin is playing in the KHL at the time of the draft.
For a team whose prospects cupboard is as bare as Calgary's, you can't take a risk on a Russian. The players you named didn't make me feel any more comfortable about it either.
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Would you like me to make a list of all of the Canadian and American 1-round picks playing in the AHL? Or the Swedish picks playing in the SEL? The KHL is just another development league and all of those players listed have either come over to the NHL or have expressed they are going to come over to the NHL.
Just like Nichuskin has said he is definitely coming over to the NHL.
Its classic fear-mongering. Some guy 4 years ago bailed for the KHL and now all Russians are risks and "you can't take a risk on a Russian".
An elite level talent commits to playing in the NHL and we "can't take a risk" on him because you are afraid he might change his mind? Despite the evidence that it is incredibly rare that Russians ever return to the KHL?
What is the bigger risk? Taking a lesser player that might not pan out or taking the elite level player who hypothetically could return to Russia?
It is silliness. You can't provide a long list of Russians successful in the NHL that return to the KHL because it doesn't exist. Silly stereotype.