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Calgary4LIfe · 06-03-2025, 08:55 AM

I really like Ryabkin:
- Vision
- Shot
- Plays with a bit of nastiness
- Is a play-driver rather than a passenger

I dislike Ryabkin:
- Questions about commitment to fitness - was apparently gassing out

- Apparently lazy at times, with brief moments of high level of exertion
- Rumoured issues of being a bit of a 'headcase'

I think that as long as the Flames do their due-diligence with him and make sure that he isn't a headcase, then all the other attributes can be fixed. We know he was having a bad time in Russia and felt he wasn't getting an opportunity. Maybe this is when he stopped working hard, let himself go a bit, and had trouble keeping up. Maybe it was an off-season issue that he didn't manage properly, ballooned-up a bit, and it affected the rest of his year. Flames will need to find out what went wrong, and decide if they can fix them.

I think if you get Ryabkin on a good off-season training program, and put him in positions to succeed, he will reward you. Kid does have a really nice combination of offensive skills, and he loves contact. He competes hard (when he is not gassed). As long as he isn't a headcase, I think he is worth the risk at 18. I think most other centers around this spot will end up as wingers anyway, so unless there is a better winger/defencemen available (like Aitcheson), I would be happy with Ryabkin at 18. I definitely understand if you have someone like Reschny as a top line center (or reasonable potential of ending up as such). I think he ends up on the wing due to his size/speed instead, and i don't think he has the offensive skill level that Ryabkin has. I do think that Reschny is a much better overall player, however - all 3 zones. I can understand the preference, but I guess it comes down to how you view the two players. I see Ryabkin as a kid who could become a top-line center, and I don't quite see that in Reschny, though I would welcome Reschny as I think he will be a player in the NHL at some point, and a kid who will play tough minutes regularly.

That's just me though. Many other guys on this thread have a much better eye for talent than I do obviously.

06-03-2025, 08:55 AM	#2436
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	I really like Ryabkin: - Vision - Shot - Plays with a bit of nastiness - Is a play-driver rather than a passenger I dislike Ryabkin: - Questions about commitment to fitness - was apparently gassing out - Apparently lazy at times, with brief moments of high level of exertion - Rumoured issues of being a bit of a 'headcase' I think that as long as the Flames do their due-diligence with him and make sure that he isn't a headcase, then all the other attributes can be fixed. We know he was having a bad time in Russia and felt he wasn't getting an opportunity. Maybe this is when he stopped working hard, let himself go a bit, and had trouble keeping up. Maybe it was an off-season issue that he didn't manage properly, ballooned-up a bit, and it affected the rest of his year. Flames will need to find out what went wrong, and decide if they can fix them. I think if you get Ryabkin on a good off-season training program, and put him in positions to succeed, he will reward you. Kid does have a really nice combination of offensive skills, and he loves contact. He competes hard (when he is not gassed). As long as he isn't a headcase, I think he is worth the risk at 18. I think most other centers around this spot will end up as wingers anyway, so unless there is a better winger/defencemen available (like Aitcheson), I would be happy with Ryabkin at 18. I definitely understand if you have someone like Reschny as a top line center (or reasonable potential of ending up as such). I think he ends up on the wing due to his size/speed instead, and i don't think he has the offensive skill level that Ryabkin has. I do think that Reschny is a much better overall player, however - all 3 zones. I can understand the preference, but I guess it comes down to how you view the two players. I see Ryabkin as a kid who could become a top-line center, and I don't quite see that in Reschny, though I would welcome Reschny as I think he will be a player in the NHL at some point, and a kid who will play tough minutes regularly. That's just me though. Many other guys on this thread have a much better eye for talent than I do obviously.