Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
LOL@ all of those people in the Nichushkin discussions that tried to deny the existence of the "Russian Factor". Some argued it is only a worry with fringe NHLers. Nope! Kovalchuk and Radulov (and others) have proven that a weak argument.
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I don't think anyone was saying that there isn't a Russian Factor. Just that it shouldn't' preclude you from drafting Russian's anymore then: the Kyle Turris situation should stop you from drafting guys from New Westminster; or the Justin Schultz situation should prevent you from college; or the Tim Erixon situation should prevent you from drafting players from Sweden; or the Lindros situation should prevent you from drafting players from London ONT, etc, etc, etc
Lots of players jump ship or refuse to sign. When it is a Russian it is a big deal. The vast majority of Russian players that are drafted and have the skill to play in the NHL play in the NHL.
But that won't change anyone's opinion that likes to get caught up in the controversy of a single situation rather then look at the whole objectively.
That said, this horse has been beaten to death so back to our regularly scheduled program ..... sucks to be NJ right now. And Cammalleri is available.