Valeri Nichushkin Discussion

[Rifleman]

If the Flames draft this Russian, I think he'll do fine. If he says it's NHL or bust, you have to ask, who, on the Calgary Flames next year, will be a better RWer than Nichushkin? If the Flames pick him, there is probably a very good chance he's on the opening night roster.

I also think the Russian factor doesn't really come into play until his entry level contract expires and he's courted by the KHL. First year, he'll be enthusiastic about proving himself and working hard to prove to everyone he's a star in the NHL. Second year, maybe a sophomore slump like most highly touted rookies. Third year is where, if he's established himself, he'll hear about how this or that team wants him. If after the third year he still isn't the player he expects of himself, then maybe he'll go the KHL route. If he IS a legitimate superstar after his ELC, then at that point, usually Russians demand the moon, i.e. no hometown discount. I think we'll have at least three years to see what he can do in this league.

From all I hear, the guy is a beast, he's only 18, and he isn't even in the best shape he can be, due to the reports about his interviews. He has a good of a chance as any to improve with age, experience, and physical progression.

I doubt he's going to be there at 6 (I expect either Tampa or Carolina to take him) but to me, it's a no brainer who the Flames should take if he's there when they reach the podium.

[PlayfulGenius]

Based on all the comments in CP, I think Nichuskin and Fucale are destined to be the top 2 players to come out of this draft

[StrykerSteve]

I'd have no problem with drafting this guy. He'd be the top RW on the team instantly and would be playing on the first line on opening night.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

I'd have no problem with drafting this guy. He'd be the top RW on the team instantly and would be playing on the first line on opening night.

Umm, no. Stempniak and Hudler are legitimate NHLers.

He looked underwhelming in the U18 tournament. He would likely make the team, but that would be the extent of it.

The way some people over-value prospects, and under-value players, is incredible.

[StrykerSteve]

Lets not fool ourselves, Calgary has abysmal RW depth.

Stempniak and Jackman are the only two playing natural positions and they have zero prospects on that side.

In my mind, he'd instantly be their top natural RW'er.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Yoho

I bet Nashville might have a difference of opinion, after dealing with Radulov. Ask Columbus the same thing if they lose their #1 goalie for nothing.

Nichushkin has already had a bad experience with the khl. I don't think he's especially eager to deal with them long term. Particularly if he enjoys his time here. I'd be on board if he's BPA.

[Canada 02]

"He's as big and powerful a forward that has come down the pipe in a long time," assistant general manager Paul Fenton said. "He takes pucks through people. He can throw people out of the way. He can take pucks to the net, he can score, he can make plays, and he is a complete power forward."

"It's just who is available," Fenton said. "We're taking the best hockey player that we can. Nationality aside and circumstances that happened — we can't be that narrow-minded to think that every situation is going to turn out like that."

"Every case is different. Certainly Radulov is not a great subject around our organization because he did decide to go back there and leverage whatever he had and enjoys playing there," Fenton said. "Each case is individual, and Nichushkin is a guy that is telling us he wants to play over here. He's acclimating, they've got him out of his contract and he could be a guy that's staring us in the face."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...dulov/2451277/

[Canada 02]

I should add that both Poile and Fenton have been quoted saying their top 4 are Jones, Mack, Drouin and Barkov, in no particular order, so easy to talk up Nichushkin when you don't have any intention of picking him

Poile also says (paraphrasing) he would absolutely take Jones at #4 if he's there, no posturing

[Calgary4LIfe]

Here is another article. Shows both sides to the argument for and against Nichushkin.

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...s-chief-scout/

“So, on the ice, he’s a tremendous player. He’s got the size, he protects the puck very well, very intelligent, eyes in the back of his head, great shot. He’s going to put up points wherever he plays. But the real appeal to him was he was a very non-stereotypical Russian. He’d block shots. He’d back check. He wasn’t that uber-offensive Russian flash that we got so used to with Kovalchuks and so on. He was a guy that could do a little bit of everything. And now there’s a lot of red flags in his game. Well, maybe he doesn’t have the work ethic we thought he did.

Take what you want from it. I think whatever team drafts him will have done extensive interviews on this kid. I had no idea he was a shot-blocker and would back-check.

Not sure if I am remembering correctly, but I remember his 'goal' at the combine was to show teams how much he wanted to play in the NHL, and that his contractual status with the KHL allows him to do so. Maybe he over-emphasized this portion of the combine? Wesibrod has stated he isn't too interested on the results of the combine. Maybe he is arrogant and enigmatic?

If he was REALLY blocking shots and back-checking regularly in the KHL, then it says 'coachable' to me. I think this kid is definitely the biggest mystery of the draft - and how many articles are stating the "he could be the best player in the draft" now? The article linked above my post stated it.

[Canada 02]

contrary to someones claim above that Nichushkin was underwhelming at the U18

"(He had) maybe the most dominant performance that I have seen in a tournament, or as good a one at any of those Under-18 or World Junior tournaments," Murray said. "He absolutely took over the tournament. He was a combination of (Alex) Ovechkin and (Evgeni) Malkin. He was in on the puck. He was making plays. He was scoring goals, setting up goals in the third period when his team was behind. And he never quit on a shift. He was just spectacular.

http://tbo.com/nhl-draft-nichushkin-...unch-20130623/

[dammage79]

Bottom line for me is. He's got it where it counts. On the ice. I will admit it's really cocky to walk into the combine with no desire to perform well in the physical testing but really, what's he got to prove at 6'4 200+ pounds? And we've all seen what he can do on the ice.

Also, how fun would it be to listen to Kerr try to pronounce his name night in and night out when he's all hopped up on swedish snowballs?

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

I should add that both Poile and Fenton have been quoted saying their top 4 are Jones, Mack, Drouin and Barkov, in no particular order, so easy to talk up Nichushkin when you don't have any intention of picking him

Poile also says (paraphrasing) he would absolutely take Jones at #4 if he's there, no posturing

Maybe they think Nichushkin is a great prospect, but the top four are even better? That seems to be the consensus among scouts. And Fenton is a pretty level-headed guy who doesn't go around blowing smoke at the media. I take his comments about prospects at face value.

[FlamesAddiction]

When you watch the highlight reels of Nichushkin, he fights through traffic and a lot of clutching and grabbing fairly well. I really like that aspect of his game.

I know youtube scouting and blah, blah, blah...

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Canada 02

contrary to someones claim above that Nichushkin was underwhelming at the U18



http://tbo.com/nhl-draft-nichushkin-...unch-20130623/

Not while I was watching.

And it is interesting that he described Nichushkin as the most dominant performance he had seen in a tournament when McDavid was head and shoulders better than him in the same tourney.

But I sincerely hope that Murray and the Lightning like him that much.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Not while I was watching.

And it is interesting that he described Nichushkin as the most dominant performance he had seen in a tournament when McDavid was head and shoulders better than him in the same tourney.

But I sincerely hope that Murray and the Lightning like him that much.

Smoke and mirrors.

[GreenLantern2814]

Alright, I'm on board. Nichushkin should be the pick. He is a BEAST physically, doesn't shy away from contact, and his game is perfectly suited to the North American ice. Furthermore, Sven is going to need a linemate to create some space for him, and a Langkow-type pivot should be able to put up 70-80 points a season with those two when they figure it out.

This team needs a major injection of new energy. I don't think you'll get that from Monahan, Lindholm nobody seems to know anything about... Nichushkin looks like he wants to be a star.

Again, based on absolutely nothing but youtube highlights and some tournament viewings, but how many people on this site have actually looked at his game footage shift by shift and broken him down the way scouts are supposed to?

[Stay Golden]

If NIchushkin played in the CHL or had no ties to the KHL then I would be ok with the Flames picking him, but this guy has flight risk written all over him and I think the Flames realize that and will pass on Nichushkin just like many other teams will.
He could just as easily be picked 5th of drop to 16th 17th.

Flames don't be fooled Pass Pass Pass!

[expo2428]

Why do people think hes such a flight risk? The guy negotiated an out clause in his contract just to make it as simple as possible to play in the NHL. He seems like the NHL is where he wants to be so what am I missing? Thats hes russian? Not being sarcastic just asking. Ive been trying to follow the situation with him and honestly in my opinion it looks like theres no risk. It looks llike he wants to play here. I wouldnt be disappointed with this selection from a Flames perspective.

[SebC]

I'm not against him because I think he's a flight risk, I'm against him because he doesn't put up enough points (in the KHL, and in WJC). Don't care how big, fast and slick he is if he doesn't score.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by SebC

I'm not against him because I think he's a flight risk, I'm against him because he doesn't put up enough points (in the KHL, and in WJC). Don't care how big, fast and slick he is if he doesn't score.

He was 17 years old playing in the 2nd best men's league in the world. He's clearly doing something right, and when he grows into his body, do you want to be on the side of I told you so or will you be happy with Sean Monahan?