Quote:
Originally Posted by Ashasx
I like the idea of Nichushkin... but his actual performance since being drafted (and even before) still makes me wonder why his pedigree is so high.
I'm not sure the actual player makes me all that excited.
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He put up 34 points in his first year in the NHL, that same season the older Monahan put up 34 points.
He missed almost the entire last season.
This season, the Stars have brought in players like Sharp. Nichushkin has had some very favourable opportunities with players like Benn and Seguin, but it's not exactly surprising that Sharp has gotten most of the time on the right wing for them. Instead Nichushkin has played a relatively high amount of time with Roussell and Fiddler and Hemsky, often times on his off-wing. He sees relatively low amount of PP time because they do have these vets who are getting it done. Competing for a playoff spot, they didn't have time to cuddle back the 20 year old coming off major surgery by giving him a large amount of unwarranted ice time.
This is a player with size, speed, skill and hands. It's hard not to be excited for him as a player. If it wasn't for the "Russian Factor" he very possibly goes in the top 5 of the 2013 draft.