Valeri Nichushkin Discussion

[lifetimefan]

Every time someone talks about acquiring a Russian, I cringe and think of Filatov.

http://www.senatorsextra.com/main/fi...nt-do-rebounds

Do not want.

[CliffFletcher]

The player Nichushkin reminds me of is Kovalchuk. A guy with blazing speed and tremendous size, who just flat-out overwhelms defenders. I remember when Kovalchuk broke into the NHL, opposing players were calling him 'the freak' because they simply couldn't deal with his speed and power.

Sure, there are risks around Nichushkin. And I hope he's gone by the 6th pick. But the upside is a 40-goal scorer who can routinely beat defenders 1-on-1. Those players don't fall out of trees.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Yah, I can't shake the feeling that he'll pretty much be like Kovalchuk (if lucky). We'll be like the Atlanta Thrashers. He'll be a dynamic scoring forward on a terrible team. I'd worry about building a team with Nichushkin as the centre piece.

The Flames are going to be drafting high for a while. No need to tag our top pick this year as the guy who needs to do everything going forward. Sure, Nichushkin will probably be a one-dimensional player. But so is Patrick Kane.

[Tinordi]

If anything, having 3 picks in the first around gives you some leeway to take a risk. While I'm not over the moon with Nichushkin I certainly wouldn't be critical of the pick. Neither Monahan or Lindholm are projecting to be that clear cut elusive #1 center so it would be like we would pass on a major need for the big winger.

We're going to be at this for multiple drafts so I definitely say you go BPA at #6. If Flames scouts think Nichushkin's skill set is above the rest then so be it.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

If anything, having 3 picks in the first around gives you some leeway to take a risk. While I'm not over the moon with Nichushkin I certainly wouldn't be critical of the pick. Neither Monahan or Lindholm are projecting to be that clear cut elusive #1 center so it would be like we would pass on a major need for the big winger.

We're going to be at this for multiple drafts so I definitely say you go BPA at #6. If Flames scouts think Nichushkin's skill set is above the rest then so be it.

Agreed here. While I'm not overly enthused to be picking a Russian, the guy really does like like Kovalchuk from the highlights. Scary pick, but huge huge potential.

[Tinordi]

I see Kovalchuk in terms of size and skating, but I certainly do not see Nichushkin having Kovalchuk's shot which, IMO, is Kovalchuk's greatest asset.

I think Nich's hands are being a bit underrated as well by some posters above. He's clearly very comfortable stickhandling and making plays at speed.

[kyuss275]

While i would rather have a center, i dont care if the flames pick Nichushkin. The flames know that the #6 pick is a very important pick and are going to do their due dilligence on any player picked at #6. If the flames are confident that Nichushkin fills every box of criteria, then he should be considered for the pick. If he does not, i doubt they are even thinking about him. That goes for Lindholm, Monahan, Nurse, ect. also.

The flames are not going to pick a player that has big question marks, no matter what the boom factor might be for that player. That goes for all players the flames are thinking about at #6.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The Flames are going to be drafting high for a while. No need to tag our top pick this year as the guy who needs to do everything going forward. Sure, Nichushkin will probably be a one-dimensional player. But so is Patrick Kane.

And as soon as we have our:

Seabrook, Keith, Bolland, Sharp, Hossa, Byfuglien, Campbell, Wiesnewski, and Ladd in place...

I would be happy to go after a guy like Nichushkin

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

And as soon as we have our:

Seabrook, Keith, Bolland, Sharp, Hossa, Byfuglien, Campbell, Wiesnewski, and Ladd in place...

I would be happy to go after a guy like Nichushkin

You can't afford to be choosy, you have to go with who you think will be the best NHL player no matter what.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

You can't afford to be choosy, you have to go with who you think will be the best NHL player no matter what.

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.

[Henry Fool]

I think the draft the exactly the occasion when you're supposed to be choosy. You can't shrug off risk simply by saying, "Sure there's risk, but..." Risk is risk - you have to take it into account when you're actually responsible for the consequences of your decision.

[Huntingwhale]

MAybe the hockey gods will finally smile down upon us and Nischuskin will be available at #22.

That is my dream.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

You can't afford to be choosy, you have to go with who you think will be the best NHL player no matter what.

I definitely think there are times for some types of moves and other times for other types of moves.

Right now, I want to acquire as many solid asses as possible - and the Monahans and Lindholms are better bets to be solid assets.

When we are long assets, we can package quantity for quality and we can take more risks.

My opinion.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

MAybe the hockey gods will finally smile down upon us and Nischuskin will be available at #22.

That is my dream.

I would want him on the flames as long as he is not a floater. That does not just go for Nischuskin, that goes for all future draft picks (no matter where they are taken), traded players and UfA players. We have seen first hand what a bunch of floaters can do to a team and i never want to see that on the flames again.

If Nischuskin falls to #22 its not because of the russian factor, its because teams will not think he can play a 200' game, have the drive to compete, or be willing to do the hard off ice training.

[CSharp]

Thing that worries me about Russians is their KHL (possible) contracts, their work ethic, and physical game play on a game to game basis. I definitely loved the move he did against the Canadian defence. But again, the Canadian defence coverage for those past 2 to 3 games were terrible anyway.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

MAybe the hockey gods will finally smile down upon us and Nischuskin will be available at #22.

That is my dream.

I don't think the Flames would pick him at 22. He's simply doesn't fit the profile they are supposedly looking for in the players they pick. I realize that what Feaster says and what he does are two different things but I really want to believe that they are going to stay true to their words and only look at players of high character that want to be a Calgary Flame. Until the Flames pick a player of questionable character and motives under this regime I'm going to stick to my belief that this kid isn't even on their radar.

I understand why he has his own thread because of the intrigue but he's likely going to be another teams problem.

[Anduril]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Thing that worries me about Russians is their KHL (possible) contracts, their work ethic, and physical game play on a game to game basis. I definitely loved the move he did against the Canadian defence. But again, the Canadian defence coverage for those past 2 to 3 games were terrible anyway.

The KHL is a possible concern but aside from Radulov, what other prominent player has run back to Russia in the prime of their career? Ones that would have otherwise stayed in the NHL but chose freely to go to the KHL. (Actually curious if somebody wants to correct my short memory)
*I don't mean fell out of the NHL because they couldn't fit or change or adapt, because that affects all prospects/players but a top 6 caliber player that anybody would be able to slot into their team.


Work ethic? A lot of players have that issue. There are some popular example players like Zherdev and Filatov, yet you have other players like the changed Kovalchuk, who was one of the worst, if not the worst for floating without the puck. Hell, we even ragged on Glencross, Bouwmeester, Iginla and Tanguay often for lack of work ethic.

As for physical play? If that's what you want from a player, look at the player, not the nationality. Kulemin is described to be one of the most physical guys on the Leafs roster. Patrick Kane is clearly not going to level very many people.

Point is, kind of silly to use some double standards against a prospect when you're already labeling them consciously or subconsciously rather than take the player as a whole.
The risk is there, just need to step off the Russian factor JUST a bit.

[SuperMatt18]

Not sure if Steinberg has any sources but he just said on the radio if Nichushkin is available at 6 he thinks the Flames would take him 100% (if the other big 4 are off the board).

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Not sure if Steinberg has any sources but he just said on the radio if Nichushkin is available at 6 he thinks the Flames would take him 100% (if the other big 4 are off the board).

Nope.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Anduril

The KHL is a possible concern but aside from Radulov, what other prominent player has run back to Russia in the prime of their career?

-Yashin, Alexei

However, the issue really isn't with them returning in their prime. It's with them leaving during the development process.

Given the choice between playing in a city where you don't speak the language, you have to play in the minors, and have to make a heavily taxed minimum salary vs. going to Russia, being a celebrity, making a lot more money, and getting play in the big leagues...what do you do? For bonafide NHL superstars, the NHL is the best choice. For the others it's a massive risk.

I don't blame them either. They don't owe the NHL anything just because they were drafted. Most get drafted by other leagues too.

It just seems as though, as soon as their career hits a snag, the Russians are bolting for the KHL these days. Look at what happened with Cervenka. If he was a local, he would have, first of all, adjusted more easily, then stuck it out, and we might have had a solid asset there. Instead he comes here, has a decent season, and then takes off when he's not a superstar.

Edit:

To summarize, it's not just the Russian thing. It's the combination of being Russian and having to work to be a 1st line player. I wouldn't pass on a talent like Yakupov. However, Nichushkin falls just below there, and that is where the risk is. A talent level that is going to have to work hard to secure a place in the NHL, but talented enough to get a big contract in the KHL.