[Rumour] Bobrovsky offered $10 mil/yr in KHL

[icarus]

Didn't really expect CP's resident Russian (excluding the anti-Wannamaker faction) to be so down on drafting Nichushkin. I was hesitant before but now I am 100% do not want.

[nemanja2306]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

those guys you listed are all getting close to max salary and don't have to live in Russia

for a guy like Bobrovsky this probably triples his salary

Have you ever been to Russia? Or is your opinion of Russia based on Hollywood movies where Russia is the root of all evil? If you have, then you'd know Russia is a very nice place to live, especially cities like Moscow, St.Petersburg...

[skudr248]

The abundance of hate on this forum for Russian's is ####ing ridiculous, and i'm going to guess almost the majority of you have never been to Russia and base your facts on movies and western ideologies of the people like the poster said above. This not drafting a Russia because he has a chance to bolt to the KHL, lol what player doesn't, this thinking is just so stupid and is non sense, a guy who made it legitimately clear he wants to come here and play isn't good enough for you? How he speaks, or the way he speaks turns you off? sorry it's not his first ####ing language, I know first hand experience because I had trouble adjusting to Canada when I immigrated here.

If given a chance to draft a player like Nichuskin if he falls to our spot, you ####ing take it, he has great talent, has the size and skill set this team is lacking, and plays in a position we need players in. His character should be judged, not his ####ing nationality whether x player wants to leave the best league in the world to play in a different league for more money. Players like Malkin, Ovi, Datsyuk are still aren't they?

[SuperMatt18]

Bobrovsky will stay. If he really was offered a $10mil/year contract and wanted to take it he would be gone already.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by skudr248

The abundance of hate on this forum for Russian's is ####ing ridiculous, and i'm going to guess almost the majority of you have never been to Russia and base your facts on movies and western ideologies of the people like the poster said above. This not drafting a Russia because he has a chance to bolt to the KHL, lol what player doesn't, this thinking is just so stupid and is non sense, a guy who made it legitimately clear he wants to come here and play isn't good enough for you? How he speaks, or the way he speaks turns you off? sorry it's not his first ####ing language, I know first hand experience because I had trouble adjusting to Canada when I immigrated here.

If given a chance to draft a player like Nichuskin if he falls to our spot, you ####ing take it, he has great talent, has the size and skill set this team is lacking, and plays in a position we need players in. His character should be judged, not his ####ing nationality whether x player wants to leave the best league in the world to play in a different league for more money. Players like Malkin, Ovi, Datsyuk are still aren't they?

No one cares about what language he speaks. Honest.

You ABSOLUTELY have to take into account that many Russian players do NOT want to play in the NHL long term (and often only under certain circumstances).

If there are other similarly skilled North American, Western European, or Scandinavian players at that spot, you 100% of the time take them instead.

You need to calm down too.

[Dr. Doom]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

No one cares about what language he speaks. Honest.

You ABSOLUTELY have to take into account that many Russian players do NOT want to play in the NHL long term (and often only under certain circumstances).

If there are other similarly skilled North American, Western European, or Scandinavian players at that spot, you 100% of the time take them instead.

You need to calm down too.

Haha so true.

Someone needs to take the ol' chill pill.

Russians are more prone to going home to play. What's the beef?

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

No one cares about what language he speaks. Honest.

You ABSOLUTELY have to take into account that many Russian players do NOT want to play in the NHL long term (and often only under certain circumstances).

If there are other similarly skilled North American, Western European, or Scandinavian players at that spot, you 100% of the time take them instead.

You need to calm down too.

I think you both have points. The pull to the KHL is stronger for a Russian player and if the road here is bumpy, there is likely a bigger chance he will not see it through if he can make the same money over there..

But some of the Russian hate is a little too much. People saying that they watched the combine on TSN and could tell he had an attitude problem by the way he talks, or that they simply don't trust his intentions... that sort of stuff comes off as xenophobic.

So yeah, there might be a little more risk picking a Russian due to options available to them, but some of the personal judgements being made on the kid are unjust IMO. He came to NA for the combine afterall, and after underwhelming, has reportedly stayed to train in North America to make up for it. That has to count for something and should have more weight than what someone's non-Russian speaking impression was of him for 5 minutes on TSN.

[jeffman]

Originally Posted by skudr248

The abundance of hate on this forum for Russian's is ####ing ridiculous, and i'm going to guess almost the majority of you have never been to Russia and base your facts on movies and western ideologies of the people like the poster said above. This not drafting a Russia because he has a chance to bolt to the KHL, lol what player doesn't, this thinking is just so stupid and is non sense, a guy who made it legitimately clear he wants to come here and play isn't good enough for you? How he speaks, or the way he speaks turns you off? sorry it's not his first ####ing language, I know first hand experience because I had trouble adjusting to Canada when I immigrated here.

If given a chance to draft a player like Nichuskin if he falls to our spot, you ####ing take it, he has great talent, has the size and skill set this team is lacking, and plays in a position we need players in. His character should be judged, not his ####ing nationality whether x player wants to leave the best league in the world to play in a different league for more money. Players like Malkin, Ovi, Datsyuk are still aren't they?

Nichuskin's size speed and skill will mean jack to us if he signs in the KHL, best not to use our #6 pick gambling on Nichuskin. However, if he falls to 22 the you ####ing take it

[jeffman]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I think you both have points. The pull to the KHL is stronger for a Russian player and if the road here is bumpy, there is likely a bigger chance he will not see it through if he can make the same money over there..

But some of the Russian hate is a little too much. People saying that they watched the combine on TSN and could tell he had an attitude problem by the way he talks, or that they simply don't trust his intentions... that sort of stuff comes off as xenophobic.

So yeah, there might be a little more risk picking a Russian due to options available to them, but some of the personal judgements being made on the kid are unjust IMO. He came to NA for the combine afterall, and after underwhelming, has reportedly stayed to train in North America to make up for it. That has to count for something and should have more weight than what someone's non-Russian speaking impression was of him for 5 minutes on TSN.

I dunno, its hard to tell. Filatov looked like a keeper when he was drafted, playing Junior in Canada and making great strides to learn English. It really depends if he is willing to make the adjusment to the NA game

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by jeffman

Nichuskin's size speed and skill will mean jack to us if he signs in the KHL, best not to use our #6 pick gambling on Nichuskin. However, if he falls to 22 the you ####ing take it

This I have to agree with. He is not worth taking with the #6 pick, but if he falls to the latter part of the 1st round it is much easier taking a guy who is high risk/high reward.

[Ashasx]

I really don't think Nichushkin is all that much better than Lindholm or Monahan (and never mind Barkov) to take that extra bit of risk.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I really don't think Nichushkin is all that much better than Lindholm or Monahan (and never mind Barkov) to take that extra bit of risk.

Agreed, wholeheartedly.

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by skudr248

The abundance of hate on this forum for Russian's is ####ing ridiculous, and i'm going to guess almost the majority of you have never been to Russia and base your facts on movies and western ideologies of the people like the poster said above. This not drafting a Russia because he has a chance to bolt to the KHL, lol what player doesn't, this thinking is just so stupid and is non sense, a guy who made it legitimately clear he wants to come here and play isn't good enough for you? How he speaks, or the way he speaks turns you off? sorry it's not his first ####ing language, I know first hand experience because I had trouble adjusting to Canada when I immigrated here.

If given a chance to draft a player like Nichuskin if he falls to our spot, you ####ing take it, he has great talent, has the size and skill set this team is lacking, and plays in a position we need players in. His character should be judged, not his ####ing nationality whether x player wants to leave the best league in the world to play in a different league for more money. Players like Malkin, Ovi, Datsyuk are still aren't they?

Which is exactly the point. If a guy can play in his home country for more money rather than taking a pay cut to play in what is likely an uncomfortable situation away from friends, family, and his culture, then why wouldn't he? There'll be some pull due to the NHL being the best league in the world, but I imagine the ability to make more money close to home is a pretty attractive option for Russian players.

It's not a character flaw that would make a Russian want to play in the KHL, but it's something an NHL team has to consider when using assets to acquire that player.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I really don't think Nichushkin is all that much better than Lindholm or Monahan (and never mind Barkov) to take that extra bit of risk.

From what I've seen I'd probably want them to take him over Lindholm, but not the other two.

If we stay at #6 I'd go with Barkov/Monahan/Nichuskin/Lindholm in that order. Unless Feaster believes Nichuskin will slide like Grigorenko did last year, then maybe you make arrangements to try and find a way to take him later in the draft.

If you can draft one of Barkov/Monahan then use the other two first rounders to trade up and take Nichuskin you make that deal imo.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Any time you have a possible franchise player available at #6 who is huge and talented, you draft him unless he gives you a REAL reason not to.

I doubt he makes it past to #6. 6'4". Elite skating and agility. Elite vision. Elite skill level.

Consensus on all professional draft rankings anywhere from 3rd - 6th. Every ranking has him above Monahan. RW organizationally is WEAKER for the Flames than center.

Flames will do their due-diligence on this kid. They interviewed him (hopefully thoroughly). I hope they contacted Dynamo and the KHL and got assurances that his contract is indeed "can play in the NHL, return to KHL if he doesn't make the roster".

Filatov could not cut it as a 3rd liner. Didn't make the team, he went back to the KHL. 6'4" Nichushkin can legitimately play on all 4 lines to start. Few scouts think he won't be ready to play in the NHL. He has also been playing amongst men in the KHL, and their hooking and holding is often useless on Nichushkin - he powers right through them, or right around them.

I would be very, very excited to get this guy into the fold. Possible franchise player - he has this upside. I will be happy with any possible franchise player at any position - this is what the Flames really lack. They need a core of Franchise players to build around. Not ONE franchise player. They need a center, a winger, a defencemen and hopefully a goalie. Then they need to surround that talent with really good depth.

Country of Origin is not something I would be interested in. The risk is always there with any player of busting. Who cares where they go to play after? Lots of Russians come and stay to play here. Flames will do their due-diligence, and I will be happy if they select him (and if he is available). If they pass, they didn't like the risk AFTER doing their due-diligence. I would just be furious if they pass up an opportunity to draft a player like Nichushkin if they HAVEN'T done their due-diligence, and are just xenophobic like some posters seem to be.

Loob went back to Sweden in his prime too. Erixon screwed us over. Sure, we had Taratukhin (though, really.. look at his career. Hardly anything to cry over). If Nichushkin is a player, he stays in North America. Flames aren't going to suddenly start shying away from Swedish guys, are they? Tim Ramholt? Where is the "Swedish Scare"? Irrelevant.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Tim Ramholt? Where is the "Swedish Scare"? Irrelevant.

Technically Swiss, but I do recall that he left the Q for Switzerland against the wishes of the Flames. It probably hurt his development. Emanuel Peters, also Swiss, said no to the Flames. He was only a 5th though, so no big deal.

[VladtheImpaler]

It's pretty simple - if the player has a potential to be a franchise player, you take him (if you think he is the best player), whatever the nationality. Filatov and Zherdev didn't "bust" because they went to the KHL, they went to the KHL because they were "busts" (however you define "bust" - in their case, they were tweeners who couldn't play top 6 and couldn't be checkers). If a player "busts", who cares if he goes to the KHL instead of reporting to Abbotsford? You are drafting Nichushkin to be a star. If he can't play top 6, what difference does it make if he goes home? It's not like you are going to turn him into a checker anyhow.
Where I would agree with the anti-Russian bias, is in drafting lower-end players (checkers, stay-at-home d-men, etc) - there is no reason to risk picks on limited upside guys who might prefer the KHL. Those types of players are easy enough to find here, without the headaches.
To summarize... If the guy is a potential "star", draft him. None of the Russian "stars" have gone home. Just busts and older guys, except Radulov.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by nemanja2306

Have you ever been to Russia? Or is your opinion of Russia based on Hollywood movies where Russia is the root of all evil? If you have, then you'd know Russia is a very nice place to live, especially cities like Moscow, St.Petersburg...

I've seen plenty of dash cam footage. I'll pass.

However, I've also driven through Ohio, so I can see why Russia may look appealing to Bobrovsky.

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Technically Swiss, but I do recall that he left the Q for Switzerland against the wishes of the Flames. It probably hurt his development. Emanuel Peters, also Swiss, said no to the Flames. He was only a 5th though, so no big deal.

Switzerland is a fantastic place to live though.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by $ven27

Switzerland is a fantastic place to live though.

I think there are a number of really wonderful cities in Europe to live (I come from Europe myself).

The best players tend to stay in North America. There are very, very few stars who decide to stay home. That is what the draft combine interviews (and follow-ups) should come into play.

If a player passes the interview, and everything is a 'green light', you just draft him if he is the best player available I would say.

Flames stated they want to draft someone that can come in and compete right away - MacKinnon, Barkov (I am sure Barkov is very high on their list), Jones, Nichushkin and an outside-chance at Monahan (most feel he could use another year in Juniors, but would not be out of the question at possibly starting in the NHL next season). There are others I am sure. I don't think the Flames SHOULD be drafting with an aim of having that player start in the NHL, but the above names are the most likely to do so.

Anyone ever get that confirmation in regards to whom the European player was that they took out for dinner? I might have missed if there was actual confirmation, or just speculation.