News from the Draft combine

[sureLoss]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=6...site-Draft2013

"I think the upper parts of this draft are really strong," Weisbrod told NHL.com. "It's tough to compare [drafts] year to year, but some are deeper than others in terms of some really good players available in the fifth, sixth or seventh rounds -- I would sort of describe this year's draft as similar to that.

"I think it's a really strong draft all the way into the third round. So from our standpoint, it makes me excited about having three picks in the first round because there are a lot of high-potential players in this pool."

...

Weisbrod said he believes the strength of this year's draft might be at forward.

"You obviously have the premier players at every position," Weisbrod said. "Seth Jones is a horse on the back end, and as far as goaltending goes, Zach Fucale is really strong. But I believe the strongest position is probably up front, particularly down the middle, with some really good centers all throughout the top of the draft.

"I don't think about it too much from a positional standpoint though, but just from an aptitude and talent standpoint. I think it's pretty well spread out."

Flames general manager Jay Feaster might be open to any draft-day scenario, which includes possibly trading his first-round choices for additional assets.

"But we like the way things sit right now," Weisbrod said. "We like the idea of picking three times, but we've got a lot of things to address with our team.

"We're in a little bit of a retooling mode after some of the trades that got us picks, and we have holes in the lineup, so there's going to be a lot of constructive discussion between now and the draft about potential trades for actual players or moving picks around. I think it's certainly a possibility for us that our draft number and picks might not look the same on the day of the draft as they do today, but those are things we'll dig in on between now and then."

....

"I try and look at things more big picture rather than immediate need, but certainly when you get later in the first round and then to the other rounds at the very top, I guess you're more justified in drafting for need because you have four or five guys that could conceivably jump in and play right away," he said. "Then it's sort of a tie-goes-to-the-runner mentality. All things considered equal, you might as well draft at a position in which you have need."

Weisbrod is quick to point out that thinking might come back to haunt a franchise for years.

"Once you get to the later rounds, drafting out of need becomes dangerous because you're talking about longer-term development projects and the immediate needs of your team from what the needs are going to be in two to three years," Weisbrod said.

[sureLoss]

Nichuskin says if you don't give him an NHL roster spot he will send his love from Russia:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=18029

Sports agent Mark Gandler confirmed to NHL.com Tuesday that his top draft-eligible client, Russian right wing Valeri Nichushkin, has terminated his contract with Moscow Dynamo in order to play in North America next season. But there is a provision. "If he's not playing in the NHL, he's going to have to play for Dynamo," Gandler told NHL.com. "The termination [of his contract] occurred without compensation to the team. This is what we would owe the team for that provision."
Gandler isn't the only person who is confident the 6-foot-4, 202-pound left-hander will earn a roster spot on an NHL team next season.
Asked how confident he is that he will play in the NHL in 2013-14, Nichushkin said, "100 percent sure."
Gandler said players like Nichushkin don't come around very often and that whichever team selects him at the 2013 NHL Draft in Newark, N.J. is going to be very satisfied. The agent also confirmed that the team drafting Nichushkin will know the terms of the Dynamo contract.
"The team drafting him will know that they would have to assign him to Dynamo if he wasn't playing for their team," Gandler said. "It could happen during the season or it could happen prior to training camp or during training camp. But I strongly believe Nichushkin is more ready for the NHL than a majority of players over the past 10 years who played in the NHL right after the draft."

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Nichuskin says if you don't give him an NHL roster spot he will send his love from Russia:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=18029

Very interesting turn of developments.

It certainly has the tone of being the selfish Russian, but maybe is it not kind of fair to him to either play him in the NHL or play him back home? Who would want to come here to play in Peoria or Oklahoma City or something like that?

Does this sour you or make you push him higher up your list?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Nichuskin says if you don't give him an NHL roster spot he will send his love from Russia:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=18029

I'm sure some people will freak out about that and call him a whiny entitled Russian, but it's really no different than if you draft MacKinnon or Jones or any other CHL player.

If they don't make your NHL roster, you have to send them back to junior, and once you send them back, you can't recall them (except in a rare emergency situation like the Flames did with Sven in 2012).

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by getbak

I'm sure some people will freak out about that and call him a whiny entitled Russian, but it's really no different than if you draft MacKinnon or Jones or any other CHL player.

If they don't make your NHL roster, you have to send them back to junior, and once you send them back, you can't recall them (except in a rare emergency situation like the Flames did with Sven in 2012).

If anything, the KHL would be a couple steps above the CHL, so it might be more beneficial to send him back to the KHL vs. the CHL.

[sureLoss]

It would really depend on why Nichuskin can't stick to the NHL roster. If you feel that the best thing for his development is to play in the AHL to adapt to the NA game, then sending him back to the KHL seems unproductive.

[Ozy_Flame]

Doesn't sound like a personal threat, sounds more like a contractual obligation for a confident rookie. I see no difference in this and a Canadian CHL rookie getting sent down to his junior team.

[The Yen Man]

But is he eligible to play in the AHL? I thought you have to be over a certain age in order to do so.

[devo22]

just honouring his contract if he doesn't make the cut. Nothing wrong with that in my book.

[Jacks]

Guy sounds risky.

Exciting as hell .... but risky.

[Canada 02]

sounds like he just put an end to the biggest question mark; if the Flames one on one interview were to confirm his desire to play in the NHL, and his KHL contract is indeed terminated, I'd have no problem selecting him at #6

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

But is he eligible to play in the AHL? I thought you have to be over a certain age in order to do so.

That only applies to drafted CHL players. As Nuchskin has never played a CHL game he can be sent to the AHL under the ELC system.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

That only applies to drafted CHL players. As Nuchskin has never played a CHL game he can be sent to the AHL under the ELC system.

yup. Both Hampus Lindholm and Zemgus Girgensons went to the AHL following last year's draft, for example.

[Stampede2TheCup]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Doesn't sound like a personal threat, sounds more like a contractual obligation for a confident rookie. I see no difference in this and a Canadian CHL rookie getting sent down to his junior team.

Exactly.

"If he's not playing in the NHL, he's going to have to play for Dynamo," Gandler told NHL.com. "The termination [of his contract] occurred without compensation to the team. This is what we would owe the team for that provision."

[SebC]

Damn you, rational people! I wanted to dream about picking Nichushkin at 22!

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by SebC

Damn you, rational people! I wanted to dream about picking Nichushkin at 22!

Yeah, my dream was always to land Barkov with the first pick, and trade up to 9 or so and add our future franchise RW. Oh well.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Does this sour you or make you push him higher up your list?

It sours me if I am the Flames and desperately need this kid to become a franchise cornerstone. A year of AHL will acclimate his game to the NHL far better than the KHL. Heck the supposed top sniper (Cervenka) from the KHL looked like he could have used a year or two with the Heat. Kid needs to lear

[ignite09]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

It sours me if I am the Flames and desperately need this kid to become a franchise cornerstone. A year of AHL will acclimate his game to the NHL far better than the KHL. Heck the supposed top sniper (Cervenka) from the KHL looked like he could have used a year or two with the Heat. Kid needs to lear

Well, if he needs to acclimate his game to become a franchise cornerstone just play him in the NHL. It's not like his rookie mistakes are gonna cost us a playoff spot.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by ignite09

Well, if he needs to acclimate his game to become a franchise cornerstone just play him in the NHL. It's not like his rookie mistakes are gonna cost us a playoff spot.

What if he's not ready? What does that say to other rookies and veteran players on the team? A more mature Sven didn't get a free ride last year why should this kid?

[H2SO4(aq)]

this actually kinda intrigues me more. the kid wants to play in the NHL, says he is "100 percent sure", i like that kind of confidence.