Caser
@RUSProspects
Also just read on the Blues board that apparently it has been confirmed that Kostin will be let go to the WJC.
I'm probably not even going to watch. IIHF usual bs plus hosting in the US means they are screwed.
They won gold in Buffalo, so I wouldn't rule them out.
But this team does look weaker, especially on D.
Seriously, what were the chances of M. Tsyplakov making the team and what kind of player the small Popugaev he is ?
If Dronov and Zaitsev play they should be at least ok on D.
A bit confused. Seeing some people saying on twitter that Svechnikov has been invited but not seeing an actual list of NA-based invitees.
I was going to mention Sosunov. At least he could be invited to camp.
BTW, what Tampa's management saying?
10 NA based players will be invited.
My guess: Svechnikov, Kostin, Abramov, Sokolov, Lipanov, Rubtsov, Minulin, A. Alexeyev, Samorukov, Berdin.
GK Mikhail Berdin Alexei Melnichuk Vladislav Sukhachyov D Alexander Alexeyev Nikolai Knyzhov Nikita Makeyev Artyom Maltsev Artyom Minulin Dmitriy Samorukov Alexander Shepelev Vladislav Syomin Anatoliy Yelizarov Yegor Zaitsev | FW Vitaliy Abramov Andrei Altybarmakyan Georgiy Ivanov Artur Kayumov Klim Kostin Vitaliy Kravtsov Alexei Lipanov Mikhail Maltsev Artyom Manukyan Alexei Polodyan German Rubtsov Marsel Sholokhov Dmitriy Sokolov Andrei Svechnikov Danil Veryayev |
I dont understand why A. Maltsev is still there?
Possibly the worst defense in Russian WJC history. I don't think I will be able to watch. Please shoot me!
Only a Bragin Miracle can save us
If he somehow gets the group to play like it's their last battle as a gang then maybe...
Otherwise there are no forward talents like in 2010, centers are still an issue, the D is depleted even from what it could have been, goaltenders are pretty much Shikin/Bobkov level.