This will be a nice gust of wind for the sails if confirmed. I didn't think we'd be in the conversation for this guy, but maybe our defensive ineptitude is finally starting to pay some dividends. Yay inadequacy!
My only reservation stems from Housley's handling of Antipin, who strikes me as a similar mold. Of the many Housley criticisms, that's the biggest one for me from a more strategic, rather than tactical, standpoint. The language barrier excuse has never truly flown IMO. I've seen several defensemen succeed who weren't fluent speakers. I've even seen more than one succeed despite being legally deaf. What's the point targeting these types of players if the coach won't play them or at least give them a decent window to sink or swim? And this is even discounting the fact that I liked what I saw from Antipin while deployed.
Time will tell, but adding talent (and shedding no-loads) is this offseason's job #1, and this is a good start to that if true.