[News] With the #187 overall pick the Flames select D RUSHAN RAFIKOV

[S. Yelle]

So is there any news on if Rafikov will be joining Flames' training camp anytime in the near future? I like what I see from him so far.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by S. Yelle

So is there any news on if Rafikov will be joining Flames' training camp anytime in the near future? I like what I see from him so far.

been discussed in the back burner/prospect forum, but Rafikov said he would come to Flames development camp this summer and then decide if he would stay to North America.

his contract in Russia expires at the end of this season according to eliteprospects, so it is a real possibility

also with the KHL facing contraction it should mean less opportunity for him to make a team

before he started the Super Series and the WJC he was 2nd in dman scoring in the VHL (Russia's version of the AHL). Even though he has missed a lot of games because of the Super Series and WJC camp and tournament, he is still top 10 in that league.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I really hope he stays in NA, he looks like a steal. There's just something about this prospect that gives me a good feeling about him. Been pretty pleased with our drafting in these past few years, Rafikov just might be one of those gems.

[Calgary4LIfe]

He is the only defencemen that I have a hard time categorizing as a "Physical shut-down defensive defencmen" or "Puck moving offensive defencemen". He is simply both.

The next closest in terms of having that 'complete' game is Wotherspoon, though he doesn't have Rafikov's nasty disposition. Rafikov enjoys playing physical and getting under the opposition's skin (i.e. Sieloff), but he can move the puck well, can skate with the puck well, can defend well, and can shoot well. Flames have no one like him in their system I would say.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Between Rafikov last year and Carroll this year, the Flames have done well with their 7th round selections of late. Getting anyone who could be remotely considered a legitimate NHL player is an absolute steal.

[HelloHockeyFans]

This third period is the first time I've been able to really focus on Rafikov, but boy he looks very poised.

[herashak]

I'd take him over the goon kanzig

[Volica]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

He is the only defencemen that I have a hard time categorizing as a "Physical shut-down defensive defencmen" or "Puck moving offensive defencemen". He is simply both.

The next closest in terms of having that 'complete' game is Wotherspoon, though he doesn't have Rafikov's nasty disposition. Rafikov enjoys playing physical and getting under the opposition's skin (i.e. Sieloff), but he can move the puck well, can skate with the puck well, can defend well, and can shoot well. Flames have no one like him in their system I would say.

When you hear things like this about your prospects, it warms the belly.

[mile]

The #1 defenseman we need.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Volica

When you hear things like this about your prospects, it warms the belly.

No doubt. Out of all our defense prospects I am most intrigued by Rushan. I've seen scouting reports of him being a puck mover as well as being hard nosed and physical. If he transitions fine to the North American brand of hockey (and I believe he will due to his playstyle, as well as the Flames system) then I could see him being a 4/5 d-man.

[stemit14]

Would be interesting to know if he would have gone higher in the draft if not for the Russian/KHL factor. Sounds like he has all the tools and good size as well. He's the #1 defensemen I believe for the Russian junior team.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by stemit14

Would be interesting to know if he would have gone higher in the draft if not for the Russian/KHL factor.

He was projected to be a 3rd round pick in 2013 by some scouts, so likely yes

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

He is the only defencemen that I have a hard time categorizing as a "Physical shut-down defensive defencmen" or "Puck moving offensive defencemen". He is simply both.

The next closest in terms of having that 'complete' game is Wotherspoon, though he doesn't have Rafikov's nasty disposition. Rafikov enjoys playing physical and getting under the opposition's skin (i.e. Sieloff), but he can move the puck well, can skate with the puck well, can defend well, and can shoot well. Flames have no one like him in their system I would say.

Such a great result with a 7th round pick. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he fares in North America. It's been a long time since we had a solid Russian player on the roster.

[btimbit]

I really love the looks of this kid. 7th rounder to boot. Love it

[sureLoss]

http://www.calgarysun.com/2015/01/03...rushan-rafikov

What’s impressed the Flames’ bird-dogs at the tournament is that Rafikov’s stride — Button described him as “a bit of a crazy-legs skater” — continues to improve.

“He’s an aggressive kid and he wants to make a difference and he wants to make an impact, and if you are that type of player and you get caught out of position and you are not a good skater, then it’s harder for you to recover,” Button said. “For sure, in the last two years, his feet are waaaaaay better. They’re underneath him a lot more. He doesn’t get caught out of position being aggressive as much because he has the ability to recover.

“His puck play is good. His mentality is good. His brain is good. I would say it’s just the physical part of skating and getting stronger and getting his feet underneath him a little bit more.”

“He was a young kid in Yaroslavl when they had the plane crash,” Button said. “He said, long-term, yes, he would like to come to the NHL, but he didn’t put a timeframe on that. He was very open and honest with us about it.

“We keep in good contact with him through our development guys. We don’t want to bring him over before he’s ready, and we have time on him. There’s no rush to get him here. The longer he can play over there and play at a high level, that’s good for us. We don’t have to develop everybody in the AHL. The coach there in Yaroslavl right now is Dave King, and Dave King is a pretty good development coach. He’s a well-respected guy who can help a young guy like that, so we’re not in a rush to get him over.

“We’re certainly in a patient mode with (Rafikov),” Button added. “He’s a seventh-round pick and he was a seventh-round pick for a reason — it’s because he needs a little more time. We have that with him, and we’re going to use it.”

[btimbit]

I didn't know his coach was an ex-flame, that's pretty neat

[Badgers Nose]

Awesome, I was just thinking about him in the untouchables thread as relates to d-prospects and the pressure he will put on other prospects in a couple of years.

There is a nicely spaced out chain of defense prospects in this organization. Maybe not elite ones, but good ones.

[killer_carlson]

I have no problem letting him develop under Dave King at all. I also like that the kid has some character - wanting to play for the team that suffered the plane crash - that bodes well.

Sounds like a Smid replacement in 3 years.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Russia's economy tanking is coming at the perfect time from an NHL perspective. KHL will be facing hard times and won't be able to give out crazy contracts to lure NHL quality talent away, so less chance of a Russian player pulling a Radulov. Really hope Rafikov is for real and earns a spot in the organization next year, AHL or otherwise. Getting a legitimate prospect with a 7th round pick would be a massive statement for our scouting staff

[icarus]

Thank you Igor Kravchuk for tipping off Calgary about
Rafikov. Flames eyes everywhere.


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