Quote:
Originally Posted by dammage79
To me he's trending towards someone like ex leaf great Dimitry Kulikov. Won't score a ton but a positive contribution on 200 feet of ice.
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Perhaps you're thinking of Igor Korolev? Sergei Berezin? Either way, I agree-he was advertised at the draft as being very conscious of his 200-ft game, and he's showing that. Top-20 in USHL scoring, top-5 in +/-.
EDIT: In 2008-09, Mikael Backlund (in his D+2 year) was sent to the Kelowna Rockets, where he put up a mere 30pts in 28 games (1.07 ppg), and his status as an NHLer was questioned. At 28 games, Nikoleev had 32pts (1.14 ppg) in a league that's considered hard to score in. Backlund's situation, as well as his style, are remarkably similar to that of Nikolaeev.