Umm... no... thanks for attempting to read our minds, but the Russian thing had nothing to do with it. In fact we have a track record of ranking Russians higher in the NHL draft than other people doing these reports, and typically speaking on prospect lists as well, so its not an anti-Russian thing at all.
The fact that he's a reflex goalie with a raw technique, that may not translate as well to North American ice had a ton to do with it.
Right now he's playing mainly in the VHL, not even the KHL (though he got a few games). Video coaches haven't really had a lot to work with, and teams haven't broken down his very unorthodox style. I put that as a big question mark.
Raw technique is a huge issue. Needs work on his angles, needs work on his rebound control, must refine technique to play at higher levels where raw athleticism will only get you so far.
Look around the NHL, average height of an NHL goalie... over 6'2"
http://www.tsn.ca/post-2-post-size-does-matter-at-least-with-today-s-nhl-goalies-1.119242
That number just keeps rising, not getting smaller.
Yes, he is by definition a smaller goalie.
yes lets compare him to a top 3 goalie in the NHL, derp.
Quick how many of shestyorkin's games did you watch last season? Do you have any idea the level of competition in the VHL? We certainly don't. We've tried to chase down tapes and there aren't any. Huge grain of salt with those numbers when its literally almost impossible to see the talent level.
Question, Did you even watch any of his KHL appearances. Cause we did manage to find a couple of those before we wrote the report.
You are talking like an expert here, I have to ask how many of his games did you even see.
Cause the numbers may be great. The raw technique, relying heavily on athleticism, thats a question mark from the games we saw.
This isn't to say he's bad, just that we see Halverson's technique transferring up the ranks a lot better.
