Konstantin Pushkarev

[albertGQ]

I don't know if any of you have seen alot of the Hitmen games this year, but I've watched a couple. I usually keep my eyes open when Ladd and Getzlaf are on the ice, but lately I have noticed Kings draft pick Konstantin Pushkarev. This guy has some skills. He got a goal last night and recorded a hattrick a couple games ago as well. For those of you who have seen him, are you impressed like me?

[Resolute 14]

IMO, he is the stereotypical Russian floater.

He has great skill, and a good shot, but he just doesnt believe in the team concept of the game. He will try and spin and run through the entire opposition without passing the puck, and he is extremely lazy backchecking. I think I've seen him rush back into the defensive zone to help about three times in 20 games.

Probably the best thing that could ever happen to his carreer would be if someone like Phaneuf were to destroy him when he is doing his keepaway routine. He will be a good player when he figures out how to use and help his teammates.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Very skilled player. What makes him so promising is that he looks a lot more gritty than a guy like Val Bure for example. Pushkaryev has shown some ability to fight through checking. And he's not super small either, so that shouldn't be a big concern.

He looks like he's got some good NHL upside IMO. I'm sure the Kings are quite happy to have him in the stable.

[RedHot25]

Originally posted by Flames Draft Watcher+Jan 17 2005, 09:03 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Flames Draft Watcher @ Jan 17 2005, 09:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Very skilled player. What makes him so promising is that he looks a lot more gritty than a guy like Val Bure for example. Pushkaryev has shown some ability to fight through checking. And he's not super small either, so that shouldn't be a big concern.

He looks like he's got some good NHL upside IMO. I'm sure the Kings are quite happy to have him in the stable.[/b]

<!--QuoteBegin-Snakeeye


IMO, he is the stereotypical Russian floater.

He has great skill, and a good shot, but he just doesnt believe in the team concept of the game. He will try and spin and run through the entire opposition without passing the puck, and he is extremely lazy backchecking. I think I've seen him rush back into the defensive zone to help about three times in 20 games.

Probably the best thing that could ever happen to his carreer would be if someone like Phaneuf were to destroy him when he is doing his keepaway routine. He will be a good player when he figures out how to use and help his teammates. [/quote]
Which one is it ?

[KevanGuy]

From what I have seen this year I will back FDW's take. He isn't afraid to hit or get hit. I think he plays hard and has incredible skill around/behind the net. Hell, the guy got in a fight in his first game with the Hitmen. I dont know many stereotypical Russian floaters that can fight.

[Resolute 14]

Floater was probably a bad word. He does have some toughness in him. He does need to learn to use his teammates though.

[rockstar]

I'd call him a Brendl with some work ethic. Maybe not a Sutter-esque work ethic, but it's there.
A whole whack of talent (one of the most creative players I've seen in a while) and he seems to have great vision on the ice. I think Snakeeye's comment about backchecking is a little bit of an exaggeration. I'll admit that he's far from being a 2-way player, but that's not to say he doesn't backcheck.

[habernac]

I've only seen him live once, but I'd have to agree on the whole "I can skate through everyone all by myself" thing that Snakeeye brought up. You can see he has lots of skill, he just needs to use his teammates some more (and this is after seeing him play only one game, so take that for what it's worth)

[monty_]

I remember one game I saw on tv, when he got into a scrap with another player. Jim Playfair was doing the colour comentary and I distinctly remember him politely calling Pushkarev something along the lines of "cheap" or "dishounorable" for pulling the guy's hair during the fight. I don't recall the exact words, but it was something like that.

However, he IS fairly impressive on the scoresheet. I think he would benefit from some stricter coaching, from what I can see Kelly Kisio seems pretty lax.

[CaramonLS]

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Jan 17 2005, 07:00 PM
IMO, he is the stereotypical Russian floater.

He has great skill, and a good shot, but he just doesnt believe in the team concept of the game. He will try and spin and run through the entire opposition without passing the puck, and he is extremely lazy backchecking. I think I've seen him rush back into the defensive zone to help about three times in 20 games.

Probably the best thing that could ever happen to his carreer would be if someone like Phaneuf were to destroy him when he is doing his keepaway routine. He will be a good player when he figures out how to use and help his teammates.

I'm going to back Snake on this one.

No doubt hes got NHL skills, heck probably top tier skills, he fired some laser set up passes, has great offensive instincts.

First player he reminded me of was Val Bure in his prime and his ability to wheel around untouched in the offensive zone and make things happen.

That being said by the end of the game I wanted to CLAW HIS EYES OUT.

This guy is LAZY in the Defensive zone, LAZY when he doesn't have the puck, Can't backcheck, doesn't play an OUNCE of Defense.

Someone needs to get in this kids head and knock some sense into him, right now his career path has him going straight to the Czech leagues or RSL and lighting it up there for the rest of his life, but he has absolutely no NHL future unless he can at least play a half-assed brand of Defense.

He is still fun to watch, but very frusterating at the same time.