I had compiled this list before, and given the latest Russian defection to the KHL in Burmistrov, and the recent debate about the merits of drafting a Russian like Valeri Nichushkin, I thought I’d offer this post.
Let's take a cursory look at the so called, "Russian factor" (relating to the 'exodus' of Russian players from the NHL to the KHL). I say cursory, because this is just a rather simplistic and cavalier compilation of the current KHLers that have played in or were closely linked to the NHL. Here we can see, what type of players are actually finding the KHL more attractive as of this moment, albeit this is not to say the "Russian factor" will not be more pronounced in the future, if say for instance, a major Russian superstar leaves in the prime of his career.
*Every player in this list has chosen to play for Russia internationally. Only mentioning this, because I know the CP braintrust will inevitably spot a few Ukrainians that have opted to play for Russia.
Here are a few arbitrary categories to consider (with an example for each). These categories are not the ‘be all - end all’. It’s more or less better for optics, rather than simply compiling a boring 35-40 player list. Of course some of these categories are not mutually exclusive, so I’ve tried to group them according to which group the player should belong to ‘for the most part’.
Again the main emphasis, should not be on the categories (it’s just for ease of reading/fun). Rather the emphasis is just to see more precisely, what type of players and who the players actually are that have left for the KHL.
1) Fringe or Borderline NHLers: ie. Alexander Perezhogin.
2) Enigmatic Players: They appear to have talent without the drive, and hence are sometimes criticized for not playing up to their potential. In the end, driven out of the league, not necessarily because of their lack of talent, but because of the perceived output given the talent.
ie. Nikolai Zherdev
3) Semi-Stars: ie. Alexander Radulov
4) Anti-AHL, Anti-two-way Contracts: Players that would go home if they were sent to the minors or not given a guaranteed one way deal. Ie: Alexander Nikulin *read story below under his name, interesting..
5) Good, Quality NHL Level Players: ie. Alexander Burmistrov
6) Going Home for Retirement: Someone who’s carved out a decent NHL career, and just wants to wind down his career back in his home country or Motherland hehe, sorry. ie. Viktor Kozlov
Let’s Start:
The Fringe/Borderline NHLer:
Nikita Alexeev 8th overall by Tampa Bay in 2000 - 37 points in 159 NHL games. Left in 2007 as Chicago Blackhawks chose not to re-sign him. 6’6” 245lbs. Legitimate first round bust. As Fringe an NHLer as you can get.
Alexander Perezhogin 25th overall by Montreal in 2001 - Never recovered after his infamous AHL stick swinging incident, in which he was charged by the Hamilton Police for his on ice actions. Registered 34 points in 128 NHL games prior to leaving for Russia in 2007.
Maksim Mayorov 94th overall by CBJ in 2007 – The lowdown on Mayorov? He left after several modestly successful AHL seasons, interspersed with a few NHL callups.
Enver Lisin 50th overall by Pheonix in 2004. The speedy winger, had 42 points in 132 NHL games. Was an unsigned UFA when he left for the KHL.
Stanislav Chistov 5th overall in 2001 by Anaheim - After having a successful rookie season with 30 points in 79 games, he finished his brief stint in the NHL with career totals of 61 points in 196 NHL games. Has been a modestly effective player in the KHL. Left for the KHL in 2007. His rights were last held by the Boston Bruins. Peter Chiarelli upon allowing Chistov to walk away said, “there is no room for Chistov on the team at this time”.
Alexander Svitov 3rd overall by Tampa Bay Lightning in 2001. 37 points in 179 NHL games. Of note with Svitov, Lacking a transfer agreement between the NHL and KHL on August 17, 2007, Svitov signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL, only one month following the signing of a two-year NHL deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus has had some tough luck with Russians, including Zherdev, Svitov, Filatov. Finally for Columbus, Brobosky has been their saving grace opting to stay in the NHL this summer.
Dimitry Afanasenkov 72nd overall by Tampa Bay in 1998. Played over 200 games in the NHL winning the cup in 2004 with Tampa. Left in 2007 when he became an unrestricted free agent in the NHL. It’s open to debate whether he’s a fringe NHLer or a serviceable NHLer, either way, losing Afanasenkov to the KHL isn’t something NHL fans are going to fret about.
2) Enigmatic Players:
Nikolai Zherdev 4th overall by Columbus in 2003 - 261 points in 421 NHL games. Now captain of his KHL team, very slick stickhandler, didn’t produce enough for a top six role in the NHL.
Nikita Filatov 6th overall by Columbus in 2008 - 14 points in 53 NHL games, 64 points in 90 AHL games. During his draft year McKeen's Hockey scouts described him as a cross between Ilya Kovalchuk and Maxim Afinogenov. Another scouting service said he was "the next best thing to Steven Stamkos". Left the NHL at 22 years old after not reporting to Ottawa Senators farm club in Binghamton.
Oleg Kvasha 65th overall by Florida in 1996 - part of the trade sending Roberto Luongo to Florida from NYI. 217 points in 493 NHL games. 6’6” power forward type without a mean streak. Strictly from numbers standpoint, he wasn’t terrible. However, he was one of those players that weren’t good enough for a top six role, nor would his playing style be tailored for a bottom six role.
3) Semi-Stars:
Alexander Radulov 15th overall by Nashville in 2004 - 102 points in 154 NHL games. All time leader in KHL points with 322 points in 258 games. Lit up the QMJHL during his junior stint. One of the top Russian players outside the NHL. Only really played 2.5 seasons in the NHL. Never got to see his best in the NHL. Left the NHL at a young age, and currently is on a 4 year KHL deal worth $9.2 million U.S. per season.
*Evgeny Kuznetsov 26th overall by Washington in 2010. One of the best young prospects outside the NHL. Only 21 years old, still hasn’t played an AHL game, let alone an NHL game. Kuznetsov has made on again, off again comments, that he will be coming to the NHL. Extremely slick and creative hands, coupled with a great skating stride, Evgeny played on the same KHL team as the oft-debated Valeri Nichushkin, Traktor Chelyabinsk. Included an asterisk on this player, because although he’s been brought up in discussions involving young Russian draft picks opting for the KHL, he seems intent on coming to the NHL according to recent interviews. He’s essentially used the KHL as a developmental professional league for the past three years, and will be NHL ready when he arrives in the fall of 2014 (4 years after Washington drafted him). Here’s a great quote from the future semi-star:
“I’ve decided for myself that it is my last year in the KHL. There’s no money that could keep me in Russia. I could make 30 times less, but I’ll feel what it’s like to live in a different country and play against the best players in the world.”
http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks...nhl-next-year/
4) Anti-AHL, Anti-two-way Contracts:
Alexei Mikhnov 17th overall by Edmonton in 2000 – Lanky and skilled, he put up 18 points in his first 27 AHL games, played 2 NHL games, and went home to Russia. He’s been on record that he would like to return to the NHL, but only on a 1 way contract, refuses to play in the AHL again.
Vitaly Vishnevsky 5th overall 1st by Anaheim in 1998 - This defensive, hard hitting rearguard, played over 552 NHL games. He was waived after year 1 of a 3 year deal with New Jersey in 2008. Left to play in the KHL instead of sticking around in the minors. Serviceable NHL quality dman in his prime.
Alexander Nikulin 122nd overall by Ottawa in 2004 – Why so much written about a guy who played what amounted to 3 NHL games, and two seasons in the AHL. Well, he is known for his candour in his blogs about the tough times Russian players having adjusting to the North American game. A memorable quote of his during his AHL days was, “dumping the puck is not for me”. In 2008 he boldly told Ottawa GM, Bryan Murray,“trade me or I’m going home”. According to a 2008 article on tsn.ca, Murray subsequently “sent a memo around the league, but has received no interest….teams are unsure if he will remain in North America, if he is not given a roster spot”
Andrei Taratukhin 41st overall by Calgary in 2001. Our very own (remember him and Yuri Trubachev)! Andrei had a really good rookie season on the Flames AHL affiliate with 60 points in 80 games. Never really adjusted to life in Omaha or North America for that matter.
Here’s a blurb from a 2007 Calgary Sun article about him, “Another year of seasoning in the minors isn't ideal, but he's committed to his NHL dream and doesn't appear willing to abandon it like some of his other countrymen have done for richer forays into Europe” (the irony!)
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL...51688-sun.html
Alexei Semenov 36th by Edmonton in 1999. Won the Best Defenseman award in the OHL for the 2000-2001 season. 33 points in 211 NHL games. Relevant to the current discussion, because he was notorious for turning down an offer in 2009 by Glen Sather for a 7th dman spot, and less than a week later signing in the KHL for $1.5 million on a two year deal. 6th-7th d-man with one of the hardest shots in the league at the time. Similar to players of Anton Babchuk’s ilk, it’s really debatable whether Semenov is a fringe player or serviceable NHLer.
Oleg Tverdovsky 2nd overall by Anaheim in 1994 - 317 points in 713 NHL games as an offensive type dman. When he left the NHL in 2008, Tverdovsky was still under contract with the Los Angeles Kings. This was able to happen obviously due to no transfer agreement between the KHL and NHL. He was the throw in piece in the trade that brought Jack Johnson to L.A.. Soon after his arrival to the Kings, he was sent to the AHL for 14 games in which he racked up 13 points. Humiliated and frustrated by being sent down to the AHL, he left and never returned. He has won 2 Stanley Cups.
5) Good, Quality NHL Level Players
Alexei Morozov 24th overall by Pittsburgh in 1994 – Quality NHL winger. One of the higher profile defectors to the KHL. Played in Russia during the 2004 lockout and never came back in his prime years. Captained the 2010 NHL star laden Russian Olympic roster. Decent player, at the time was buried mainly on the third line behind Jagr, Lemieux, Straka, Kovalev and Robert Lang in their heydays. 219 points in 451 NHL games.
Alexander Frolov 20th overall by L.A. in 2000 - 397 points in 579 NHL games. Another one of the better Russian players to leave for the KHL. Left in 2011. Was an unrestricted free agent, and could have got some NHL offers, but received a three year offer in the KHL. The KHL offer was better than what he could negotiate to stay in the NHL as a secondary offence (complimentary) type player.
Alexander Burmistrov 8th overall by Winnipeg in 2010 – 58 points in 194 NHL games, with seemingly more talent than his production would suggest. Great skating ability with a fair work ethic, but clashed with Jets coach, Claude Noel. Noel has offered his opinion that Burmistrov plays more of an east/west game than he would like to see, and they differed on what role the young forward should play. Quality player gone to the KHL for several years at least. The Jets, however retain Burmistrov’s rights until he is 27 years old.
Viktor Tikhonov 28th overall by Pheonix in 2008. Still only 25 years old, of note is that he left to the KHL just days after signing a 1 year deal in August of 2011 to stay in Pheonix. Another case of would be breech of contract if there was a transfer agreement in place between the NHL and KHL. 16 points in 61 NHL games, 72 points in 106 KHL games. Probably could have been a decent NHLer.
Evgeni Dadonov 71st overall by Florida in 2007 - Interesting case here, as Dadonov was tendered a qualifying offer by Carolina in June 2012, but signed a KHL contract for 1 year in 2012-2013. This was signed under the climate of an uncertain NHL season. He has played decently in the NHL and AHL up to this point, only 24 years old with 20 points in 55 NHL games. A bit of an unknown, and too early to write him off, it seems plausible he could have been a serviceable two way player in the NHL, at least Carolina thought so.
Denis Grebeshkov 18th overall by L.A. in 2002 - Offensively inclined NHL quality rearguard, posted 84 points in 227 NHL games, as well as 76 points in 133 games over his last two AHL seasons. He wanted to stay in the NHL, but he got a rather large two year deal in the KHL in the summer of 2010. Denis did receive several NHL offers that same summer, but they were for 30-40% less than his previous NHL salary. Edmonton originally gave him $3.15 million for 2009-2010. Not an elite player by any stretch, but he is of NHL calibre. Known for his testicle injury while playing for the Oilers. Even 3 years after leaving for the KHL, he’s still only 29 years old.
Maxim Afinogenov 69th overall by Buffalo in 1997 - 395 points in 651 NHL games. In his final NHL season he had a respectable 61 points in 82 games with the Atlanta Thrashers. Known for being a speed demon.
Dmitri Kalinin 18th overall by Buffalo in 1998 - Dman had 162 points in 539 NHL games. Still only 32, is the Captain of his KHL team, and led them far into the playoffs this season. Good NHL quality dman.
Oleg 'freakin' Saprykin 11th overall in 1999 by our very own Calgary Flames.
137 points in 325 NHL games. Left in 2007 for the KHL. Simply for the 2004 cup run, and the fact he probably could have carved out a career as a serviceable fourth line NHL player, with great speed for penalty killing, he’s been included in the quality NHLer grouping, although he just as easily could have been added to the fringe/borderline group.
6) Going Home for Retirement:
Viktor Kozlov 6th overall in 1993 by San Jose - 537 points in 897 NHL games, pretty darn good stats. A mammoth of player at 6’4”, 235lbs, he was quite productive even in his last NHL season with 41 points in 67 games with Washington in 2009. Left for KHL for 2009-2010 season, and hasn’t come back. Surprised he was still kicking around in the KHL this past year at the age of 38.
Alexei “Cashin” Yashin 2nd overall by Ottawa in 1992 – *Retired a year ago, 38 years old at the time, and is now the GM of the Russian Women’s National Team. Thought he should be a special inclusion in this list, as he went to the KHL when he was still modestly productive in the NHL. He had 50 points in 58 games in his final NHL season, and went on to play 5 more seasons in the KHL. He couldn’t live up to the colossal contract he was given by NYI, and the final four years were bought out. 781 points in 850 NHL games. Subsequent to his contract buyout, Yashin did receive, but was not happy with the NHL offers he was getting, so elected to stay in Russia.
Alexander Korolyuk 141st overall by San Jose in 1994 - 142 points in 296 NHL games. How can Flames fans forget him after he did this into an empty net on us, and riled up Iginla and Simon:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...keqq1WQc#at=16
He wasn’t the most consistent player, but he was a nifty little player:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX22xL0Y1fI
Korolyuk played in just 5 KHL games this past season, as he’s now 37 years old. Still he managed 4 points in 7 playoff games this year, and served as assistant captain on his club.
Of particular interest, is that he went back and forth between the NHL and Russia. Once he held out due to a contract dispute in 2000, electing to play at home until things were settled. Thereafter, he came back to play a year in the NHL, but bolted again to Russia because he clashed with head coach Darryl Sutter. Again, in 2003 he returned for one his better NHL seasons, before heading back home during the 2004 NHL lockout. He would end up staying in the KHL for the rest of his career, although in 2007 he expressed interest in the NHL again. He asked the New Jersey Devils to trade his rights back to San Jose, which they obliged. However, in a strange turn of events, when the Sharks invited him back, Korolyuk never showed up for his physical evaluation. That was effectively the end of his NHL career. He was an above average offensive player in the KHL.
*After pouring over the KHL rosters, there’s at least two other ex-nhlers in Peter Schastlivy and Dennis Arkipov, both decent players, but nothing to lose sleep over as NHL fans.
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Lastly, I just want to reiterate this is a just shoddy compilation, simply meant to reference who the players 'really' are, when the term, "Russian or KHL factor" is bandied about on CP. It is in no way seeking to validate or undermine any opinions regarding it.
