Do you guys think he will live up to his hype early? or will it take him a few years playing in an organization like pittsburgh?
This is quite the first post considering there is an Ovechkin thread right above this one, but... He'll be good early
If there is a season next year, I would be really shocked if he wasn't playing in the NHL by the team that selects him. Too much money to be made off of him as well as excitment to let him play another year in Russia or in the AHL.
He's about as old as a player can be in his first year of draft eligibility, so he essentially has an extra year of seasoning under his belt. He'll be great from the start.
I think the nature of that contract allows him to come to the NHL if he wants or, as with a lockout, stay with his team. The contract was extended two years so it covers the rest of this season and next, but I think he can come over here. It was probably just an insurance thing so he has a job if there is a lockout.