Prospect Info: [2018 - 38th] Alexander Romanov (KHL - CSKA Moscow)

[Whitesnake]

Sure but as a fifth round pick that's not really to be expected.

I understand. BUt the point in comparing a prospect to a NHL player is not to say that as a late pick, he'd be probably one of the best to never play the game....but to let fans know that he has a real shot not only at making it but to play a role. The way Timmins presented the kid was to tell fans and medias to just wait and they'll see what he's all about even though he was not on the CSS radar or didn't seem to be in other teams radar as well. It has to mean that he thinks he'll play in the league....not that he'll be a fine 2nd rounder that never played....

The day that you present your picks as hidden gems....it's to think that they you are actually wiser than everybody and the kid will make it. Just like there are kids who makes it in EVERY ROUND, every year. There are hidden gems. They do exist. Yet, for Timmins....aside from Streit, that is 14 years ago, it never worked.

 

[Phil Parent]

Streit wasn't a hidden gem per se, teams had seen him at the Olympics and were negociating to sign him.

Habs used a loophole in the rules regarding the draft that was basically there so that old Soviet guys could be drafted and drafted Streit even though he was WAY older than the usual draftee and a professional player.

The league then closed the loophole and defined who was draft eligible, ie 17-18 years olds who have not been passed in the draft.

 

[cphabs]

Ok, I have finally figured out why I have an affection for this kid and would like to propose an official nickname for him.

My favorite all time cartoon movie is The Jungle Book, and my all time favorite cartoon character is Mowgli from the very same movie.

The resemblance is uncanny!

 

[Captain Mountain]

Not even 42 point Petry. The guy we traded a 2nd for and got the next couple years would be a good return on Romanov. He does seem to have a little more chutzpah, though.

Those are the same Petry's. The 42 point one just happened to play on the first wave of a decent PP. Petry's ES production was actually better in 2016/2017. The major difference last season was that he went from the 2nd PP unit to the 1st and played a full extra minute per game on the PP.

 

[JianYang]

Streit wasn't a hidden gem per se, teams had seen him at the Olympics and were negociating to sign him.

Habs used a loophole in the rules regarding the draft that was basically there so that old Soviet guys could be drafted and drafted Streit even though he was WAY older than the usual draftee and a professional player.

The league then closed the loophole and defined who was draft eligible, ie 17-18 years olds who have not been passed in the draft.

Prips to gainey for that. It's a bit odd that other team's didn't go for streit then, or were they just simply not aware?

Going into the final round, it should be a no brainier that you take a chance on an international player in his prime with some question marks, as opposed to a young kid that is highly unlikely to get a sniff.

 

[bleuetbio]

I know he's commited to KHL for next 2 years, but with Simon Bourque out, we have another spot open. Maybe another great surprise still to come

 

[Treb]

I know he's commited to KHL for next 2 years, but with Simon Bourque out, we have another spot open. Maybe another great surprise still to come

Valiev - Taormina
Moravcik- Lernout
Skelincka- Melancon
Plant

Not much of a spot there on LD, especially if one/both of Mete/Juulsen are sent down or Despres is signed.

 

[Weber Fan]

Valiev - Taormina
Moravcik- Lernout
Skelincka- Melancon
Plant

Not much of a spot there on LD, especially if one/both of Mete/Juulsen are sent down or Despres is signed.

Maybe Ouellet...

 

[BeastMode420]

Timmins must regret his pick now. Failed at his due dilligence.

 

[Goldenhands]

will he play World Juniors?

Highly doubt it for the next WJC, I think the odds are better he makes the team at his second season post draft...

 

[Habs]

Highly doubt it for the next WJC, I think the odds are better he makes the team at his second season post draft...

Interesting, thanks

 

[Guilliam]

I know he's commited to KHL for next 2 years, but with Simon Bourque out, we have another spot open. Maybe another great surprise still to come

Mete
Reilly
Alzner
Valiev
Benn
Schlemko
Ouellet
Moravcik
Sklenicka
Plant
Taormina
Melancon
Culkin

We still have way too many LDs as is.

 

[Hfbsux]

Interesting, thanks

Just wanted to add that Russia usually fills their roster with overragers (19 years old) which is the reason why he probably won't be playing this year. Svechnikov was an exception last year, he did not get much playing time.

 

[Habs]

Just wanted to add that Russia usually fills their roster with overragers (19 years old) which is the reason why he probably won't be playing this year. Svechnikov was an exception last year, he did not get much playing time.

Hey look, when we aren't ripping each other apart we learn something here. Thanks

 

[montreal]

watched a MHL game from 2-28, they lost 5-2. Romanov was playing LD, had a solid game but wasn't too noticeable. He was on the PK, had a weak shot on net, couple hits but only one was legit. He clearly has the skating/speed/mobility for today's NHL though.

 

[HBDay]

Prips to gainey for that. It's a bit odd that other team's didn't go for streit then, or were they just simply not aware?

Going into the final round, it should be a no brainier that you take a chance on an international player in his prime with some question marks, as opposed to a young kid that is highly unlikely to get a sniff.

Prips to you too!

 

[montreal]

Watched another game from the MHL, it was from 2-24-18. It was a wild one, 10-3. He had 1g, 1a, +3. Played on the PP and PK. His goal was on the PP mid 3rd, he fake a shot from the point and wristed it low stick side. Kind of a weak goal but smart move and good job getting it on net as too many think they need to blast it when you can still score as long as it gets through or it could turn into a rebound. His assist was a nice pass from his own redline to the blueline. His skating is effortless, he has that upright skating like Hainsey so I think he looks a little taller then he is. Can't wait to see where he plays next year and how he does.

Also I really like his teammate Yegor Filin, he's small as heck though. Had a great game, although Iskhakov is the one that has stood out more.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Watched another game from the MHL, it was from 2-24-18. It was a wild one, 10-3. He had 1g, 1a, +3. Played on the PP and PK. His goal was on the PP mid 3rd, he fake a shot from the point and wristed it low stick side. Kind of a weak goal but smart move and good job getting it on net as too many think they need to blast it when you can still score as long as it gets through or it could turn into a rebound. His assist was a nice pass from his own redline to the blueline. His skating is effortless, he has that upright skating like Hainsey so I think he looks a little taller then he is. Can't wait to see where he plays next year and how he does.

Also I really like his teammate Yegor Filin, he's small as heck though. Had a great game, although Iskhakov is the one that has stood out more.

Romanov's skating is damn near Mete level, that's the first thing I noticed about him and my main takeaway from my viewings. He's very agressive thanks to that, especially on defense, where he likes to engage physically and close the gap early. His plus mobility alone should give him a shot at something of a pro career, if nothing else.

 

[FormerLurker]

Emelin wasn't considered undersized when we drafted him.

Yes, Emelin definitely was considered undersized when he was drafted. His listed size was 6' 0" 187 lbs. It wasn't until he finally arrived in the NHL that we learned he was much bigger than we previously thought. Check out these old profiles, which all list him as 6' 187:

Hockey's Future - Alexei Emelin
Alexei Emelin
Alexei Emelin - Wikipedia

 

[Habs Halifax]

Yes, Emelin definitely was considered undersized when he was drafted. His listed size was 6' 0" 187 lbs. It wasn't until he finally arrived in the NHL that we learned he was much bigger than we previously thought. Check out these old profiles, which all list him as 6' 187:

Hockey's Future - Alexei Emelin
Alexei Emelin
Alexei Emelin - Wikipedia

Is a 6'-0", 187lbs defenseman considered undersized?

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Is a 6'-0", 187lbs defenseman considered undersized?

It's under the league average for dmen by a decent margin ( 6-1.1/200.7 IIRC) .

 

[jaffy27]

It's under the league average for dmen by a decent margin ( 6-1.1/200.7 IIRC) .

Is that average from 2018 or 2004 when he was drafted??

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

Is that average from 2018 or 2004 when he was drafted??

That's a good point ! It's from 17-18, the average was probably higher in 2004.

 

[jaffy27]

That's a good point ! It's from 17-18, the average was probably higher in 2004.

I checked, it’s practically the same.....6’1

 

[VirginiaMtlExpat]

Romanov's skating is damn near Mete level, that's the first thing I noticed about him and my main takeaway from my viewings. He's very agressive thanks to that, especially on defense, where he likes to engage physically and close the gap early. His plus mobility alone should give him a shot at something of a pro career, if nothing else.

If that is indeed the case, I cannot blame the team for getting a player like that (Mete-like mobility, Emelin-like checking ability, howitzer shot, grandson of a national team coach) so early, especially given how other gems panned out throughout this draft, at least based on their current promise.