Slitty's Annual Most Ready RSL Prospects (with commentary)
- Thread starter Slitty
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montreal
Go Habs Go
I'm still trying to figure out what the NHL is doing with the rights to Russian draft picks. I assume that they extended the time frame again, as they did last year with picks up to the '02 draft, this year it's the '03 and '05 guys that need to be signed along with everyone up to the '02 or an easier way to say it, all Russian draft picks except '04 and '06. I thought that the Sabers were going to get the 45th overall pick for not signing their 15th overall pick from '00, but it appears as though they won't get the comp pick just yet, so I assume that the rights to Russian picks were not lost.
As for Konstantin Korneev, I've always liked the guy, he was impressive at the WJC's, I still remember that huge hit he had on Joni Pitkanen. But I had gotten the impression he wasn't that interested in coming over, which is too bad cause I would have liked to see what he could do. Things were looking good for him when he was 18 and playing for Krylja Sovetov but then they got regulated and his ice time dropped with AK Bars and then the NHL lockout hurt his ice time as well and injuries last year. Great to see him really turn things around though.
Another guy that always impressed me was Moyzakin, too bad he hasn't come over, I don't know how he would do in North America but I saw him a couple times with CSKA back when Zherdev and Kostitsyn were on the team and he was easily the most impressive player on the team, he's got a nice mix of skills, is there any hope of him coming over?
As for Konstantin Korneev, I've always liked the guy, he was impressive at the WJC's, I still remember that huge hit he had on Joni Pitkanen. But I had gotten the impression he wasn't that interested in coming over, which is too bad cause I would have liked to see what he could do. Things were looking good for him when he was 18 and playing for Krylja Sovetov but then they got regulated and his ice time dropped with AK Bars and then the NHL lockout hurt his ice time as well and injuries last year. Great to see him really turn things around though.
Another guy that always impressed me was Moyzakin, too bad he hasn't come over, I don't know how he would do in North America but I saw him a couple times with CSKA back when Zherdev and Kostitsyn were on the team and he was easily the most impressive player on the team, he's got a nice mix of skills, is there any hope of him coming over?
Senator Stanley
Registered User
Good read.
It's interesting to hear that Sens scouts have been paying attention to Atyushov. Still highly unlikely that he comes over but at least they are exploring it. I'm really excited for Mirnov to come to NA. Hopefully 1 more season. Slitty, what kind of contract does Mirnov have.
It's interesting to hear that Sens scouts have been paying attention to Atyushov. Still highly unlikely that he comes over but at least they are exploring it. I'm really excited for Mirnov to come to NA. Hopefully 1 more season. Slitty, what kind of contract does Mirnov have.
dru
Jarmo Unchained
Great article. A+
I always enjoy reading about Sergei Mozyakin, its a shame he will probably never play an NHL game.
I always enjoy reading about Sergei Mozyakin, its a shame he will probably never play an NHL game.
Slitty
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- Oct 23, 2005
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As far as I am aware the Habs have already signed Valentenko, and he will most likely spend next season entirely or almost entirely in the AHL. If he continues to progress in North America, I think there is a good chance of him making the NHL at some point. I would also be extremely surprised if Emelin did not attempt a North American career in a year or two. This comming season with Ak Bars Kazan should be indicative, at least for me, of Emelin's full scope as a hockey player. To end this past season Alexei really seemed to be on the cusp of maturing his game and realizing another big chunk of his considerable potential. If such a leap forward is indeed going to occur - it should happen next year. As for Korneev, he is currently a better and much more polished player than is Valentenko and not far at all behind Emelin in terms of overall player quality, at least for the style of hockey played in the RSL. His hypothetical appearance in North America is, however, dependant upon the Canadiens' willingness to bring him over - which is, at this point, a question mark. As a late bloomer for whom the team didn't originally hold astronomically high hopes, Korneev is bound to inherently (and somewhat unfairly) receive less attention within the organization than his two aforementioned compatriots.
I am not aware of any considerable effort on the part of the Columbus Blue Jackets to bring Mozyakin over in the past, nor do I think that they realistically have him in their future plans. Despite being a player who is better suited for the RSL, I am of the opinion that he is one of the bigger talents squandered by an NHL team in recent history. Perhaps there is a chance of Mozyakin playing in North America once the Blue Jackets relinquish his rights, but even then, it is quite slim as he is already an established star in the RSL.
Great Read. If Zinoviev signed a 5 year extension, without a transfer agreement there's no way he can come over until that expires, or am I missing something?
Slitty-
Did Shirokov just sign a new contract for CSKA?If so how long is it and what are the chances he comes to NA after?
Its hard to find info on russian players if you dont speak russian so thanks alot.
Did Shirokov just sign a new contract for CSKA?If so how long is it and what are the chances he comes to NA after?
Its hard to find info on russian players if you dont speak russian so thanks alot.
Slitty
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Alexei Shkotov had a terrible season and failed to make much of an impact at all when with Khimik, and then faired only slightly better with Salavat Yulaev when Khimik decided that they did not want him on the team. While he may very well rebound next season, he is to date struggling mightily in the RSL and my rather limited hope for him is fading fast. Alexander Drozdetsky is a solid RSLer, but not much more on top of that, and certainly not a prime candidate to vie for an NHL spot. Anton But is currently the best hockey player of the bunch, but realistically still not quite talented enough to make it in the NHL.
One of the underlying consequences of the Russian Hockey Federation not signing the transfer agreement is that the NHL does not recognize RSL contracts and that the RSL does not recognize NHL contracts. As a result, numerous players have gone both from playing in Russia to playing in North America and from playing in North America to playing in Russia while being under contract in the league from which they departed. While say Malkin and Kaigorodov raised a fuss with their respective transfers, others have even managed to make such a transition much more smoothly, sometimes even with the approval of the team that they left.
Slitty
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- Oct 23, 2005
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Mirnov is under contract with Dinamo through to the end of next, that is the 2007-2008 season. As for the amount of money he is currently being paid - I can only guess. The payrolls of RSL teams are closed and only a select handful of people in the RHF have access to the exact salary figures of players.
I haven't heard anything about a contract extention, but Shirokov's current contract with CSKA does run through the end of the 2008-2009 season. I would say that at least another season in the RSL would be optimal for Shirokov's development anyways.
c9orf
Registered User
That was a great read, full of info on players I know little about. Terrific!
What current NHL player's style do you think most closely resembles that of Kaigorodov?
What current NHL player's style do you think most closely resembles that of Kaigorodov?
Kipper933
Remember the Kipper
Nah, the opposite. The transfer agreement would uphold the RSL contracts (in the eyes of the NHL), without an agreement, even if zinovjev were to sign a 5-year contract (not sure where this number is coming from though), he could still theoretically come to the NHL next year.
Kipper933
Remember the Kipper
QuadDeuces
Registered User
What do you have on Artem Anisimov? I was shocked not to see him on that list. And I saw Igor Volkov as an honourable mention, what do you think his NHL upside could be?
-- George.
-- George.
Alessandro Seren Rosso
Registered User
I've never watched RSL games but from what I read and heard is that Kulemin is one of the best young players in the RSL. You have him listed as a 2nd or 3rd liner, if he plays well again this year would you bump him up to a 1st liner?
Alessandro Seren Rosso
Registered User
He turned into a RSL regular. In the last three season he was regularly on ice with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, CSKA Moscow and Dinamo Moscow. Next year he will play with CSKA again.
Slitty
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- Oct 23, 2005
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As Alessandro meantioned, he played for played for Dinamo last season and is signed with CSKA for the next. He has grown into a solid top-4 RSL defenseman, and Krikunov even included him in team Russia's squad for the 2006 World Championships. It is however quite clear that Georgi doesn't have a great deal of NHL potential and is unlikely to capture the interest of the Wild in the near future.
My apologies, while I agree that Zinoviev wouldn't have much trouble getting into the NHL in any case, it slipped my mind that his new five year contract reportedly contains an out clause for him to come to the NHL if he so decides.
Slitty
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Hm, perhaps something along the lines of Ales Hemsky.
Have you by any chance heard anything concerning such a possibility on the North American end? Khomitsky's plans for next season are a little murky to me.
