Prospect Info: #98 Nikita Popugaev (RW)

[VoidCreature]

Where do you see PLD Barxal or Mikey on this list? If you're right that's unreal

Change 2017 draft status to All and you'll see them.

 

[Desert Devil]

This was my favorite pick, after Hischier of course, of the draft. I understand about his slump after the trade and all but I don't really care about that. If he puts on some weight he could become extremely dominant on the PP. Even if he becomes a Viktor Kozlov, as frustrating as he was, I'll take it. Kozlov had over 500 points in just under 900 games. Also, Kozlov went 6th overall...and this kid is two inches taller than he is. I'm pumped for this pick. I can't remember ever being as excited as I am about any draft the Devils have had.

 

[BurntToast]

If effort was his issue "fine", but I want Brylin (Mr Hussle) to shadow this kid during development camp.

 

[glenwo2]

Anyone think he could be a "Zdeno Chara"-lite?

 

[Devils Dominion]

It's not easy for a teen from Europe to pick up & leave his adopted junior team town and move to another team/town midseason.

Give the kid some slack, but if its the reason we were able to get him in the 4th so be it.

 

[JimEIV]

Anyone think he could be a "Zdeno Chara"-lite?

He's a forward.

 

[EnglishDevil]

He'll be a fun one to follow when the CHL kicks off again, that's for sure.

 

[Brodeur]

Apologies if this was posted earlier, but I still had the CHL Top Prospects game on my DVR. I started watching it and stumbled on this goal by Nico off a great feed by Nikita. Maybe Popugaev and Hischier can pair up during prospects camp.

 

[OmNomNom]

god damn, his english is fantastic

 

[JimEIV]

god damn, his english is fantastic

Yeah I found that surprising too. Seems like a good kid I hope things come together for him and us too of course

 

[Mustangs]

If effort was his issue "fine", but I want Brylin (Mr Hussle) to shadow this kid during development camp.

I agree with this 100%. Show the kid what can happen if you become charlie hustle. Bug in the ear because the potential is extremely high with him.

 

[glenwo2]

He's a forward.

So he can't be Zdeno Chara-lite at the forward position?

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

So he can't be Zdeno Chara-lite at the forward position?

no, he can't lmao.

 

[MadDevil]

Didn't Chara used to be used as a screen on the PP?

 

[Bcap88]

Anyone think he could be a "Zdeno Chara"-lite?

considering he plays forward....no

sounds like hes a first round talent with a fourth round work ethic. Im sure that will get evened out. I got faith in this kid

 

[glenwo2]

no, he can't lmao.

Maybe I'm not being too clear here. I get what position that Chara plays but I'm referring to POP here "size-wise".

And Chara has the heaviest/nastiest shot around so why can't POP have it, too?

Does anyone understand what I'm getting at here?

Again...yes, he's a forward but I'm not talking about the position he plays. I'm talking overall talent as far as his ceiling is. Maybe I'm reaching a bit here but someone his size and hard shot just gives me Chara-vibes(talent-wise).

I can't explain it any more clearly than that and if it's still confusing to all of you, then I give up.

 

[Bcap88]

Might as well call ben bishop and that tall goalie that used to play for the islanders chara-lite as well

 

[ghdi]

god damn, his english is fantastic

He's been in North America for 2 years already so I imagine that has a been a huge influence espc in respect to schooling.

Maybe I'm not being too clear here. I get what position that Chara plays but I'm referring to POP here "size-wise".

And Chara has the heaviest/nastiest shot around so why can't POP have it, too?

Does anyone understand what I'm getting at here?

I get what you're getting at but its not a fair comparison. The only similarities are their height. Position matters espc when the differentiation is defense and forward. Howbout comparing him to someone like Blake Wheeler? Nikita is 1 inch taller and if Wheeler is a prototype for him we've got a steal.

There are not a lot of wings in the league this guy's size. Most of the tall dudes are defensemen or centers.

 

[devilsblood]

So I just watched this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORs8-u67X3I

All of Pop's shifts in a game vs Lethbridge. This is with Prince George, so the team with which he struggled.

And what stands out is, he is a playmaker. He likes to pass the puck. The pass to Nico in that all star game is an example of it. The highlight clips only hint at it, I watch those things and think he is a traditional power forward, or at least a big guy who likes to rip shots. But I think he is really more in the Joe Thornton mold. And the stats back it up too.

22-29-51 in 40 for Moose Jaw.

7-11-18 in 31 for Prince George.

Last year too, 16-31-47 in 70, also Moose Jaw.

And I think that style is maybe why he gets the lazy tag, and is maybe why he didn't adapt well out of the gate with Prince George? Perhaps trying to be too much of a playmaker instead of simplifying the game and going to the net.

A couple negatives from that clip. Turned it over a couple times which led to either breakaways or at least quick breakouts, one off a pass while on the PP, a couple others getting his pocket picked as he tried to deke a defender.

Also, watching the vid makes me think he is a pro for sure, but he does not appear to fit the Shero mold. He appears to be more a slow it down and set it up type, not a fast attacking type. Not that that means he can't play that style or that every player on the team needs to be the prototype, but just the same, to my eyes he looks to be or a different ilk.

 

[Brodeur]

Also, watching the vid makes me think he is a pro for sure, but he does not appear to fit the Shero mold.

Reading this kinda reminded me of what the Kings did with Hudson Fasching. Started his draft year ranked relatively high, but steadily dropped throughout the season and fell a little further than expected at the draft (late 4th round). Fasching rebounded the following year and the Kings moved him for Brayden McNabb and two 2nd rounders. So maybe if there's a short and long term logjam at wing, we can hope that Popugaev as an asset is a nice buy low, sell high opportunity.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

He is a playmaker? Watch these videos and get a feel for both his wrist shot and slap shot. I'm not sure which 2017 I am most excited for. We definitely have 3 players with 1st line potential. Popugaev could be anywhere from Scherbak to Antropov to Lang.

 

[devilsblood]

He is a playmaker? Watch these videos and get a feel for both his wrist shot and slap shot. I'm not sure which 2017 I am most excited for. We definitely have 3 players with 1st line potential. Popugaev could be anywhere from Scherbak to Antropov to Lang.

Ya like I said, when you watch his highlights you think he is a pure goal scorer, a guy who likes to rip shots, but watching that full game clip, and looking at his stats, you realize his game is much different then those highlights suggest.

 

[VoidCreature]

I really think the sky's the limit for Popugaev. Never been this excited for a fourth rounder.

 

[MadDevil]

Honestly, he kind of reminds me of Viktor Kozlov.

 

[Bleedred]

Honestly, he kind of reminds me of Viktor Kozlov.

Haha I saw a V and a K and I knew it was gonna say Viktor Kozlov!

Kozlov wasn't really a bad player for quite a while. Of course he probably didn't live up to his 6th overall pick, but he had a better and longer NHL career than Alexandre Daigle did and he was probably better than Rob Niedermayer too. 537 points in 897 NHL games isn't bad by any means. He left the league before he got old, he was only 33. His last NHL season he still scored 41 points in 67 games.

Kozlov at #98 overall would be pretty sweet.