Quote:
Originally Posted by CSharp
Thing that worries me about Russians is their KHL (possible) contracts, their work ethic, and physical game play on a game to game basis. I definitely loved the move he did against the Canadian defence. But again, the Canadian defence coverage for those past 2 to 3 games were terrible anyway.
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The KHL is a possible concern but aside from Radulov, what other prominent player has run back to Russia in the prime of their career? Ones that would have otherwise stayed in the NHL but chose freely to go to the KHL. (Actually curious if somebody wants to correct my short memory)
*I don't mean fell out of the NHL because they couldn't fit or change or adapt, because that affects all prospects/players but a top 6 caliber player that anybody would be able to slot into their team.
Work ethic? A lot of players have that issue. There are some popular example players like Zherdev and Filatov, yet you have other players like the changed Kovalchuk, who was one of the worst, if not the worst for floating without the puck. Hell, we even ragged on Glencross, Bouwmeester, Iginla and Tanguay often for lack of work ethic.
As for physical play? If that's what you want from a player, look at the player, not the nationality. Kulemin is described to be one of the most physical guys on the Leafs roster. Patrick Kane is clearly not going to level very many people.
Point is, kind of silly to use some double standards against a prospect when you're already labeling them consciously or subconsciously rather than take the player as a whole.
The risk is there, just need to step off the Russian factor JUST a bit.