Prospect Info: CHL, NCAA & European Prospects Thread | Part IX

[thethinglonger]

From The Draft Analyst's (Steve K) review of the 4Nations U20 tournament:

LHD Yegor Rykov (NJD 5th/2016)

Rykov was Russia’s top defender in Hodonin for several reasons. First, he was on the top pairing and matched up against the opposing top lines at both even strength and on the penalty kill. Second, he manned the top of the umbrella on Russia’s top power play unit, where he displayed his hard, accurate shot. Lastly, he led all defensemen in the tournament in assists (3) and points (3). Drafted as an overager when he was clearly deserving of a first-year selection in 2015, Rykov has been the kid Russia leans on when it plays in U20 tournaments. You might be able to point to his solid play at this same tournament last year (played in Russia) as the beginning of a string of successful international showings that helped him get drafted. Offensively, Rykov is a very good skater and puck mover who uses the home-run pass with accuracy, and his hands are soft enough to play catch and handle tough passes. Russia kept opponents to the outside the entire tournament, and Rykov was a big reason why.

full article: http://www.thedraftanalyst.com/2017-nhl-draft/u20-four-nations/?platform=hootsuite

 

[devilsblood]

I like that they spell his name Yegor, and not Igor. I can not get past the the whole Igor thing.

Given this kid was drafted in his +1 year, could we expect to see him come to the states a year earlier then otherwise?

Sounds like the kid has a chance to be something.

 

[AfroThunder396]

Ben Johnson has been found guilty of sexual assault.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

Ben Johnson has been found guilty of sexual assault.

My sympathy and support to the victim.

 

[OHLTG]

The whole case has become very "wow" here in Windsor with many people following it. I've followed it very closely on Twitter, so if you're looking for specifics, that's where I would go.

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

On a less grim note, Devils posted an article about Zacha's training and the rookie showcase. Here's a link for anyone interested:

http://devils.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=891903

 

[Edmonton East]

Ben Johnson has been found guilty of sexual assault.

Accused 2 times now in his young life....can't believe he has a girlfriend.

Scum.

 

[devilsblood]

Accused 2 times now in his young life....can't believe he has a girlfriend.

Scum.

2 different cases? I thought this was a continuance of the one case.

But whatever, hope he enjoys jail.(he is going to jail right?)

 

[Edmonton East]

2 different cases? I thought this was a continuance of the one case.

But whatever, hope he enjoys jail.(he is going to jail right?)

Followed the case....basically another woman came forward after this incident claiming she was also assaulted by him at an earlier date (basically put her hand somewhere..).

 

[ForeverJerseyGirl]

2 different cases? I thought this was a continuance of the one case.

But whatever, hope he enjoys jail.(he is going to jail right?)

I don't think he's been sentenced yet, just found guilty. Normally sentencing would take place on a different day, but I haven't followed this case in great detail. It wouldn't surprise me if he got jail time for this, though.

 

[thethinglonger]

Bratt had 1G and 1A in a 7-6 exhibition game loss to Geneve-Servette of the Swiss league. I'll try and find some video of the game, but I don't think I'll have any luck.

 

[thethinglonger]

It looks like Mikhail Maltsev scored a goal for SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL - the 2nd highest Russian league) in a friendly match against Dinamo St. Petersburg. SKA-Neva lost 4-1, so Maltsev had the only goal for the team.

 

[HenriquesJawLine]

Still can't believe we ignored Europe for so long in the draft with Conte

 

[Brodeur]

Still can't believe we ignored Europe for so long in the draft with Conte

Without knowing the list, I can't say I'd agree with that statement. Not sure how credible it is, but I read that we were high on Sebastian Aho but he got snatched up one pick before us in 2015. We'll never know how many instances like that might have happened.

 

[Triumph]

Without knowing the list, I can't say I'd agree with that statement. Not sure how credible it is, but I read that we were high on Sebastian Aho but he got snatched up one pick before us in 2015. We'll never know how many instances like that might have happened.

The Devils did call timeout after that pick and ended up trading down, so there's plenty of smoke to suggest that.

I do think Russia was ignored, weirdly - the Devils drafted 0 Russians between 2007 and 2015. They drafted a guy from Belarus and signed one too, but they used to take late fliers on Russians all the time in the late 90s/early 2000s.

 

[Brodeur]

Not sure if the timeout was due to potentially getting sniped on Aho. I snapped this photo of Shero negotiating with somebody who looks like Ottawa's Pierre Dorion. The third guy might have been part of NHL Central Registry which keeps track of all the picks (I spotted that guy by the Devils table late in the first round which might have been due to the Palmieri trade).

At least at the time, I thought the timeout was just because the trade had a conditional pick involved which needed the league's stamp of approval. Anaheim would call timeout a little while later as they finalized the Hagelin trade.

 

[NJDevs26]

The Devils did call timeout after that pick and ended up trading down, so there's plenty of smoke to suggest that.

I do think Russia was ignored, weirdly - the Devils drafted 0 Russians between 2007 and 2015. They drafted a guy from Belarus and signed one too, but they used to take late fliers on Russians all the time in the late 90s/early 2000s.

Well with the rise of the KHL and decline of Russian hockey that isn't really a surprise, there are a lot less Russians being selected in general. And I don't think it's accurate to suggest they ignored Europe although outside Sweden where they had three first-round picks in four years they're definitely short of picks. You can't really draft for quotas though.

 

[Devils Dominion]

This is for sure, we needed new Euro scouts and Castron has done so.

 

[Triumph]

Well with the rise of the KHL and decline of Russian hockey that isn't really a surprise, there are a lot less Russians being selected in general. And I don't think it's accurate to suggest they ignored Europe although outside Sweden where they had three first-round picks in four years they're definitely short of picks. You can't really draft for quotas though.

Russian hockey has declined, but not to the extent that the draft would reflect. Guys like Panarin are going undrafted instead of teams taking a late flyer on them.

Before Zacha, the last guy they drafted out of Europe was Mauro Jorg in 2010.

 

[devilsblood]

Russian hockey has declined, but not to the extent that the draft would reflect. Guys like Panarin are going undrafted instead of teams taking a late flyer on them.

Before Zacha, the last guy they drafted out of Europe was Mauro Jorg in 2010.

A dude in the swiss league no less.

We went through our Swede faze, and the lack of success seemed to jade us on all things Euro. Not only were we not picking Russians, but no Czech's or Finn's either.

And I have to believe that this was systematic and not just by chance.

 

[Devilsfan992]

Russian hockey has declined, but not to the extent that the draft would reflect. Guys like Panarin are going undrafted instead of teams taking a late flyer on them.

Before Zacha, the last guy they drafted out of Europe was Mauro Jorg in 2010.

Larsson, Gavrus?

 

[Triumph]

Larsson, Gavrus?

Second time I've weirdly forgotten about Larsson, but Gavrus was drafted out of the OHL.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Second time I've weirdly forgotten about Larsson, but Gavrus was drafted out of the OHL.

That's alright, we all make mistakes.

I picked 7 out of 8 playoff series right and some people only focused on my one loss.

 

[Cheddabombs]

That's alright, we all make mistakes.

I picked 7 out of 8 playoff series right and some people only focused on my one loss.

Yea, that's what all the talk at the water cooler is about

 

[thethinglonger]

Looks like Mikhail Maltsev was sent back down from the VHL to the MHL...it's going to be tough to gauge where he'll play this season. Playing as 3rd line center for SKA-1946 (the MHL team), so hopefully that changes and he can get some more icetime to develop. Either way, he's a bit of a longer-term prospect