A statistical breakdown of Helmuts Balderis' career

[Triffy]

I was wondering for a while why Helmuts Balderis hadn't been picked in the ATD. I had a feeling he was criminally underrated. However, I hadn't taken a closer look at his career ever so I decided to see how good he actually was.

This study takes a look at Helmuts Balderis' prime years (1974/75 - 1984/85). His prime is broken down into three parts: His first Riga years, the CSKA years and the second Riga years. Both domestic league and international performances are studied.

1 RIGA DAYS (1973/74 - 1976/77)

1.1 Domestic league

1975

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Vladimir Petrov |CSKA |34 |27 |26 |53 |1.56 |0.79 |0.76
2 |Boris Mikhailov |CSKA |35 |40 |11 |51 |1.46 |1.14 |0.31
3 |Helmut Balderis |Riga |36 |34 |14 |48 |1.33 |0.94 |0.39
4 |Vladimir Vikulov |CSKA |36 |17 |23 |40 |1.11 |0.47 |0.64
5 |Aleksandr Bodunov |Krylia |36 |31 |8 |39 |1.08 |0.86 |0.22
5 |Valeri Kharlamov |CSKA |31 |15 |24 |39 |1.26 |0.48 |0.77
x |Yuri Lebedev |Krylia |36 |19 |17 |36 |1.00 |0.53 |0.47
x |Aleksandr Maltsev |Dynamo |32 |18 |16 |34 |1.06 |0.56 |0.50

I've added historically significant players who didn't crack the top 5 or 10 (depending on the year) on my Excel spreadsheet. Their rankings are marked 'x'.

As can be seen from the table, Balderis was 3rd in scoring, behind only Petrov and Mikhailov. Kharlamov played fewer games, but he also had a lower PPG-ratio. Balderis was 2nd in goal scoring, behind only Mikhailov, who had two great playmakers in Petrov and Kharlamov helping him. He was the only bright star in his team Dinamo Riga. Eurohockey.net for example does not list any other players for the team’s 1975 roster. It would be interesting to know how much these players played on average during a game. I would assume that because Balderis was by far the best player in his team, his time on ice (TOI) was probably higher than the CSKA players’, but it’s only speculation.

1976

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Viktor Shalimov |Spartak |36 |28 |25 |53 |1.47 |0.78 |0.69
2 |Aleksandr Yakushev |Spartak |36 |31 |20 |51 |1.42 |0.86 |0.56
3 |Aleksandr Maltsev |Dynamo |29 |28 |19 |47 |1.62 |0.97 |0.66
4 |Helmut Balderis |Riga |36 |31 |14 |45 |1.25 |0.86 |0.39
5 |Vladimir Petrov |CSKA |34 |22 |22 |44 |1.29 |0.65 |0.65
x |Boris Mikhailov |CSKA |36 |31 |8 |39 |1.08 |0.86 |0.22
x |Sergei Kapustin |Krylia |36 |25 |13 |38 |1.06 |0.69 |0.36
x |Valeri Kharlamov |CSKA |34 |18 |18 |36 |1.06 |0.53 |0.53
x |Vladimir Shadrin |Spartak |35 |17 |18 |35 |1.00 |0.49 |0.51

In 1976, Balderis was 4th in scoring. However, he tied for the lead in goals with Mikhailov and Yakushev (LW), who supposedly played on the same line with Shalimov (RW) and Shadrin (C). It must be noted that Dynamo Moscow’s Maltsev actually has the most impressive GPG-ratio. Spartak actually won the Soviet championship this season. For a second season in a row, Balderis has a higher assist total than Mikhailov who had much better players to play with.

1977

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Helmut Balderis |Riga |35 |40 |23 |63 |1.80 |1.14 |0.66
2 |Vladimir Petrov |CSKA |35 |26 |36 |62 |1.77 |0.74 |1.03
3 |Aleksandr Maltsev |Dynamo |33 |31 |27 |58 |1.76 |0.94 |0.82
4 |Boris Mikhailov |CSKA |34 |28 |23 |51 |1.50 |0.82 |0.68
x |Valeri Kharlamov |CSKA |21 |18 |8 |26 |1.24 |0.86 |0.38

In 1977 Balderis led the league in goals and points with 40 goals and 63 points in 35 games. He was still the only quality player on Dinamo Riga. After this season, he was acquired to CSKA.

1.2 International

1.2.1 1976 World Championships

For whatever reason, Petrov wasn’t a part of the Soviet team. Czechoslovakia won gold and Soviets were 2nd. Martinec was the top scorer with 9 + 11 = 20 points.

Leading Soviet scorers

Rk |Player |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Valeri Kharlamov |10 |4 |10 |14 |1.40 |0.40 |1.00
2 |Boris Mikhailov |10 |7 |6 |13 |1.30 |0.70 |0.60
3 |Helmut Balderis |10 |3 |7 |10 |1.00 |0.30 |0.70
4 |Viktor Zhluktov |9 |3 |5 |8 |0.89 |0.33 |0.56

Now that Balderis got to play with better players, his assists totals increased significantly. It must be noted that in international play, assists had been tracked at least since 1932 Olympics, but in Soviet league, I have seen assists regularly awarded since 1974. It’s possible that for example, secondary assists weren’t awarded in Soviet league, but that’s again only speculation. I’m fairly confident to say that Spartak successful line Yakushev-Shadrin-Shalimov played together. As far as I know, Zhluktov played centre and would be the most likely candidate to have replaced Petrov. If, and it’s likely, Balderis didn’t play with Kharlamov and Mikhailov, he was again the most productive player on his line and he also showed that he wasn’t a one-dimensional goal scorer.

1.2.2 1976 Canada Cup

The whole Kharlamov-Petrov-Mikhailov line was missing and the Soviets couldn’t reach the finals. Balderis scored respectable 5 points in as many games. However, Zhluktov (10 points), Vikulov (7 points) and Maltsev (7 points) were more productive performers for the Soviets.

1.2.3 1977 World Championships

Rk |Player |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Vladimir Petrov |10 |7 |14 |21 |2.10 |0.70 |1.40
2 |Boris Mikhailov |10 |12 |7 |19 |1.90 |1.20 |0.70
3 |Sergei Kapustin |10 |9 |7 |16 |1.60 |0.90 |0.70
4 |Valeri Kharlamov |10 |9 |7 |16 |1.60 |0.90 |0.70
5 |Helmut Balderis |9 |8 |7 |15 |1.67 |0.89 |0.78
6 |Alexander Yakushev |10 |7 |4 |11 |1.10 |0.70 |0.40
7 |Alexander Maltsev |8 |1 |9 |10 |1.25 |0.13 |1.13

Balderis scored again at a comparable rate to the other star players of the team. Only Petrov and Mikhailov scored significantly more. Balderis was named to the tournament's all-star team.

2 CSKA DAYS (1977/78 - 1979/80)

2.1 Domestic league

1978

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Vladimir Petrov |CSKA |31 |28 |28 |56 |1.81 |0.90 |0.90
2 |Boris Mikhailov |CSKA |35 |32 |20 |52 |1.49 |0.91 |0.57
3 |Yuri Lebedev |Krylia |35 |19 |27 |46 |1.31 |0.54 |0.77
4 |Vladimir Golikov |Dynamo |N/A |18 |26 |44 |- |- |-
5 |Valeri Kharlamov |CSKA |29 |18 |24 |42 |1.45 |0.62 |0.83
6 |Aleksandr Golikov |Dynamo |N/A |19 |19 |38 |- |- |-
7 |Viktor Shalimov |Spartak |36 |26 |11 |37 |1.03 |0.72 |0.31
8 |Peter Prirodin |Dynamo |N/A |20 |16 |36 |- |- |-
9 |Helmut Balderis |CSKA |36 |17 |17 |34 |0.94 |0.47 |0.47
10 |Vladimir Vikulov |CSKA |34 |12 |22 |34 |1.00 |0.35 |0.65

During the first year in CSKA, Balderis became the most important secondary scorer on the team, which was to be expected. However, as a consequence of his supposedly decreased TOI, his total production decreased in comparison to rest of the league.

1979

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Vladimir Petrov |CSKA |43 |26 |37 |63 |1.47 |0.60 |0.86
2 |Peter Prirodin |Dynamo |44 |32 |30 |62 |1.41 |0.73 |0.68
3 |Boris Mikhailov |CSKA |43 |30 |24 |54 |1.26 |0.70 |0.56
4 |Aleksandr Golikov |Dynamo |37 |31 |22 |53 |1.43 |0.84 |0.59
5 |Aleksandr Volchkov |CSKA |44 |28 |20 |48 |1.09 |0.64 |0.45
5 |Helmut Balderis |CSKA |41 |24 |24 |48 |1.17 |0.59 |0.59
5 |Valeri Kharlamov |CSKA |41 |22 |26 |48 |1.17 |0.54 |0.63
x |Sergei Makarov |CSKA |44 |18 |21 |39 |0.89 |0.41 |0.48

Aleksandr Volchkov was some kind of a one-year wonder as he would never again reach even 30 points after this. It’s likely that he played with Balderis and either Kapustin or Makarov. Balderis was again CSKA’s most productive offensive player behind the famous Kharlamov-Petrov-Mikhailov line, and he actually scored at exactly similar pace as Kharlamov. Prirodin who had several good years in Soviet league also had his best year in 1979. Same thing with Golikov.

1980

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Sergei Makarov |CSKA |44 |29 |39 |68 |1.55 |0.66 |0.89
2 |Helmut Balderis |CSKA |42 |26 |35 |61 |1.45 |0.62 |0.83
3 |Viktor Shalimov |Spartak |44 |34 |19 |53 |1.20 |0.77 |0.43
4 |Mikhail Varnakov |Gorki |44 |30 |20 |50 |1.14 |0.68 |0.45
5 |Boris Mikhailov |CSKA |41 |27 |23 |50 |1.22 |0.66 |0.56
x |Vladimir Krutov |CSKA |40 |30 |12 |42 |1.05 |0.75 |0.30
x |Vladimir Petrov |CSKA |32 |21 |20 |41 |1.28 |0.66 |0.63
x |Vyacheslav Anisin |CSKA |41 |12 |28 |40 |1.08 |0.31 |0.78
x |Aleksandr Maltsev |Dynamo |36 |11 |28 |39 |0.90 |0.38 |0.52
x |Valeri Kharlamov |CSKA |42 |16 |22 |38 |0.90 |0.38 |0.52

This is the beginning of Makarov’s dominance. I find this year’s scoring table very interesting because there are so many possible line combinations. Did Kharlamov-Petrov-Mikhailov play together? Were Makarov and Krutov already playing on a same line? Or did Makarov and Balderis play together, one of them playing left wing? Despite having his best season yet in CSKA, Balderis returned to Dinamo Riga next season because of reasons which I’m unaware of.

2.2 International

2.2.1 1978 World Championships

Rk |Player |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Alexander Maltsev |10 |5 |8 |13 |1.30 |0.50 |0.80
2 |Boris Mikhailov |10 |9 |3 |12 |1.20 |0.90 |0.30
3 |Helmut Balderis |10 |9 |2 |11 |1.10 |0.90 |0.20
4 |Sergei Kapustin |10 |6 |5 |11 |1.10 |0.60 |0.50
5 |Vladimir Golikov |10 |7 |3 |10 |1.00 |0.70 |0.30
6 |Valeri Kharlamov |10 |4 |5 |9 |0.90 |0.40 |0.50
7 |Viktor Zhluktov |9 |3 |5 |8 |0.89 |0.33 |0.56

In this tournament Marcel Dionne was selected the best forward with 9 + 3 = 12 points in 10 games. Again, Balderis scored at similar rate to his team mates, sharing the goal scoring lead in the tournament with Mikhailov and Dionne. Kapustin was selected to the all-star team instead of Balderis. Balderis scored 3 goals against the silver medal team Czechoslovakia in 2 games, including a goal in the 3-1 final win, so it’s not like he would have padded his stats against weaker opponents.

2.2.2 1979 World Championships

Rk |Player |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Vladimir Petrov |8 |7 |8 |15 |1.88 |0.88 |1.00
2 |Valeri Kharlamov |8 |7 |7 |14 |1.75 |0.88 |0.88
3 |Boris Mikhailov |8 |4 |8 |12 |1.50 |0.50 |1.00
4 |Sergei Makarov |8 |8 |4 |12 |1.50 |1.00 |0.50
5 |Aleksandr Golikov |8 |5 |7 |12 |1.50 |0.63 |0.88
6 |Helmut Balderis |8 |4 |5 |9 |1.13 |0.50 |0.63
7 |Vladimir Gulikov |8 |1 |7 |8 |1.00 |0.13 |0.88

Makarov was starting to break through and had already taken Balderis’ place as the gold medal winning Soviet’s most important secondary scorer in 1979. It would be unfair to call it a disappointment as Balderis scored at above 1 PPG rate, but this tournament certainly wasn’t one of Balderis’ greatest legacy builders.

2.2.3 1980 Olympic Games

At least Aleksandr Golikov (13 points), Makarov, Mikhailov, Kharlamov and Krutov (11 points each) scored more points than Balderis (9 points). Again he was a productive player but not on a key role. Only once more (1983 World championships) after this tournament would Balderis play for the Soviets in a competitive tournament.

3 RIGA DAYS (1980/81 - 1984/85)

3.1 Domestic league

1981

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Sergei Makarov |CSKA |49 |42 |37 |79 |1.61 |0.86 |0.76
2 |Sergei Kapustin |Spartak |44 |36 |25 |61 |1.39 |0.82 |0.57
3 |Nikolai Drozdetsky |CSKA |44 |30 |28 |58 |1.32 |0.68 |0.64
3 |Valeri Belousov |Chelyabinsk |N/A |23 |35 |58 |- |- |-
5 |Viktor Zhlutkov |CSKA |49 |29 |26 |55 |1.12 |0.59 |0.53
6 |Viktor Shalimov |Spartak |47 |21 |32 |53 |1.13 |0.45 |0.68
7 |Helmut Balderis |Riga |44 |26 |24 |50 |1.14 |0.59 |0.55
8 |Sergei Shepelev |Spartak |N/A |28 |20 |48 |- |- |-
9 |Igor Larionov |Voskresensk |43 |22 |23 |45 |1.10 |0.48 |0.63
10 |Vladimir Petrov |CSKA |40 |19 |25 |44 |1.10 |0.48 |0.63

I think this can be seen as some kind of an off-year for Balderis. He was again the best player on his team, getting the most ice time. He shouldn’t be expected to match Makarov’s scoring level, but several more players outscored him, as well. His production drop probably explains his absence from the national team this season.

1982

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Sergei Makarov |CSKA |46 |32 |43 |75 |1.63 |0.70 |0.93
2 |Aleksandr Kozhevnikov |Spartak |N/A |43 |28 |71 |- |- |-
3 |Vladimir Krutov |CSKA |46 |37 |29 |66 |1.43 |0.80 |0.63
4 |Viktor Shalimov |Spartak |47 |27 |32 |59 |1.26 |0.57 |0.68
5 |Igor Larionov |CSKA |46 |31 |22 |53 |1.15 |0.67 |0.48
6 |Sergei Kapustin |Spartak |38 |30 |22 |52 |1.37 |0.79 |0.58
7 |Viktor Tyumenev |Spartak |N/A |21 |29 |50 |- |- |-
8 |Aleksandr Orlov |Spartak |N/A |11 |39 |50 |- |- |-
9 |Nikolai Drozdetsky |CSKA |46 |28 |16 |44 |1.05 |0.59 |0.46
10 |Helmut Balderis |Riga |41 |24 |19 |43 |1.05 |0.59 |0.46

Again, a good season from Balderis, but nothing that would increase his legacy.

1983

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Helmut Balderis |Riga |40 |32 |31 |63 |1.58 |0.80 |0.78
2 |Aleksandr Kozhevnikov |Spartak |43 |35 |22 |57 |1.33 |0.81 |0.51
3 |Vladimir Krutov |CSKA |44 |32 |21 |53 |1.20 |0.73 |0.48
4 |Aleksandr Skvortsov |Gorki |44 |27 |20 47 |1.07 |0.61 |0.45
5 |Igor Orlov |Spartak |44 |22 |23 |45 |1.02 |0.50 |0.52
6 |Vyacheslav Bykov |CSKA |44 |22 |22 |44 |1.00 |0.50 |0.50
7 |Peter Prirodin |Riga |45 |22 |21 |43 |0.96 |0.49 |0.47
8 |Aleksei Frolikov |Riga |N/A |30 |12 |42 |- |- |-
9 |Sergei Makarov |CSKA |30 |25 |17 |42 |1.40 |0.83 |0.57

Suddenly Balderis jumps back at the top of the pack. For the first time he had decent linemates in Riga and he immediately ran away with the scoring title. I think this is extremely impressive season from Balderis because even Makarov couldn’t match his PPG rate. Note that Balderis had the most assists during this season (Viktor Tyumenev was 2nd with 26). The great season earned Balderis once more a spot in the national team.

1984

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Sergei Makarov |CSKA |44 |36 |37 |73 |1.66 |0.82 |0.84
2 |Vladimir Krutov |CSKA |44 |37 |20 |57 |1.30 |0.84 |0.45
3 |Nikolai Drozdetsky |CSKA |44 |31 |20 |51 |1.16 |0.70 |0.45
4 |Vyacheslav Fetisov |CSKA |44 |19 |30 |49 |1.11 |0.43 |0.68
5 |Aleksandr Kozhevnikov |Spartak |33 |33 |14 |47 |1.42 |1.00 |0.42
6 |Viktor Shalimov |Spartak |44 |24 |21 |45 |1.02 |0.55 |0.48
7 |Valeri Bragin |Voskresensk |N/A |19 |26 |45 |- |- |-
8 |Sergei Kapustin |Spartak |41 |22 |21 |43 |1.05 |0.54 |0.51
9 |Sergei Shepelev |Spartak |44 |21 |21 |42 |0.95 |0.48 |0.48
10 |Igor Larionov |CSKA |43 |15 |26 |41 |0.95 |0.35 |0.60
x |Helmut Balderis |Riga |39 |24 |15 |39 |1.00 |0.62 |0.38

For the first time in this study, the 32-year-old Balderis didn’t crack in to the top 10, although he was close.

1985

Rk |Player |Team |GP |G |A |PTS |PTS/GP |G/GP |A/GP
1 |Sergei Makarov |CSKA |40 |26 |39 |65 |1.63 |0.65 |0.98
2 |Vladimir Krutov |CSKA |40 |23 |30 |53 |1.33 |0.58 |0.75
3 |Helmut Balderis |Riga |39 |31 |20 |51 |1.31 |0.79 |0.51
4 |Vladimir Zubrilchev |Dynamo |N/A |23 |24 |47 |- |- |-
5 |Igor Larionov |CSKA |40 |18 |28 |46 |1.15 |0.45 |0.70
6 |Sergei Abramov |Izhvesk |N/A |16 |23 |39 |- |- |-
7 |Viktor Shalimov |Spartak |49 |16 |22 |38 |0.78 |0.33 |0.45
8 |Sergei Shepelev |Spartak |N/A |21 |16 |37 |- |- |-
9 |Aleksei Kasatonov |CSKA |40 |18 |18 |36 |0.90 |0.45 |0.45
10 |Valeri Bragin |Voskresensk |N/A |14 |22 |36 |- |- |-

In his final season, Balderis was the leading goal scorer for the third time in his career. His 51 points was the 3rd highest total during the season.

3.2 International

3.2.1 1983 World Championships

The 1983 tournament all-star team tells the story quite well: Tretiak; Kasatonov-Fetisov; Krutov-Larionov-Makarov. The 5 man unit included the 5 best scorers of Soviet Union. Makarov had 18, Krutov 15, Larionov 12, Kasatonov 11 and Fetisov 10 points. Once again Balderis was the leading secondary scorer of the Soviets with 9 points in 10 games and put up as many points as for example Marcel Dionne.

4 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

4.1 Domestic league

Scoring title x 2 (1977, 1983)
Most goals x 3 (1976, 1977, 1985)
Most assists (1983)

Balderis had very high peak. At his best, he could outscore even Makarov or Petrov. He was an effective player for 10 seasons, starting from 1974/75 and ending in 1985. For the most part of his career, Balderis played with lesser players and was capable of raising their point totals. He was a brilliant goalscorer. In addition to the goal scoring titles, he finished 2nd in 1975 and 1983. He was also capable of using his linemates. He was 2nd in assists in 1980, second only to Makarov.

4.2 International

All-star team (1977)
Leading goal-scorer (1978)

Balderis’ international resume is a bit disappointing for a player with his Soviet league resume. He was never the best player in national team. He was always in a secondary scorer role. However, his career overlapped with both Petrov’s line and Larionov’s line. His most impressive international tournament was probably in 1977. In 1978 he was the leading goal scorer of the tournament along with Mikhailov and Dionne. But even if Balderis wasn’t the leading player on his team, he was almost always the best secondary scorer in the national team.

Overall, I think Balderis should be viewed as a step or two below Kharlamov, Mikhailov and Petrov. Maltsev probably had the better career of the two as well, mainly because his great international resume. However, Balderis has a fantastic skill set: he's known as perhaps the fastest Soviet skater ever, he was a great goal scorer and decent playmaker. He was also capable of elevating his linemates' level. I think this study reveals that Balderis has been undervalued to some extent up to this point in the ATD.

Click to read more...

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Good stuff, as always.

During the ATD, when I looked at Balderis' career (in much less detail than you did), my first impression was that he should probably be viewed as close to equal to Starshinov, just a little bit below Maltsev, but probably ahead of Yakushev.

You did a great job of fleshing out the player in much more detail, though.

 

[TheDevilMadeMe]

Also, what do you think of this (from Joe Pelletier). It definitely explains why Balderis was returned to Riga, if nothing else. Might also explain why he did worse than expected on the national team.

A proud Latvian, Balderis was one of the few non-Russians on the national team. Not that he necessarily wanted to be there.

There was great political divide between the two societies under communist rule, with the Latvians none too happy with Russia. So when the Soviet hockey authorities transferred Balderis (and a coach named Viktor Tikhonov) from Dynamo Riga, where he quickly became a living legend, to CSKA Moscow "in the interests of the national team," there was no shortage of outrage.

Balderis had no choice in the matter, but he played for the national team in a curious fashion. He would put on amazing displays of individualistic skills and rushes, almost toying with opposition, but would rarely score.

As the great book Kings of the Ice suggests, "it was his way of saying to the authorities, 'You forced me to be here, so you get what you deserve."

"I can get away with it on CSKA. If I don't score, Mikhailov, Petrov or Kharlamov will," Balderis added.

The Balderis experiment with the Red Army team lasted only three years, from 1977 through 1980 before he was returned to Riga, and for all intents and purposes dropped from the national team.

Despite his short tenure in Moscow he earned quite the resume. He was part of three consecutive world championship teams, winning the best forward award in 1977. He won the Olympic silver medal in 1980, and was part of the Soviet team that hammered the NHL all stars at the 1979 Challenge Cup tournament.

After the Russians failed 1980 Olympics Balderis was returned to Riga where he starred until 1985. He saved his best for games against CSKA, of course. Balderis was one rare shooter who seemed to have solved the great Vladislav Tretiak, shooting from further out than most shooters, and with good success.

 

[Reds4Life]

It's worth noting that Balderis was Latvian and he despised Soviets. It often seemed like he does not score on purpose (to protest - he was forced to play for the Soviet team), despite toying with the opposition.

edit: TDMM beat me to it

 

[Triffy]

Thanks for the input. I was almost sure I had read something like that before, but just didn't remember where, and I knew that you guys would come up with it anyway so I didn't bother searching for it

I think the fact that Balderis was transferred to CSKA (and selected to national team) against his will signifies that Balderis probably was capable of doing even more. I think it's good to know. It tells us a bit about how he was as a person. However, I'm not sure how that affects his legacy. He proved himself anyway. If he really was dropped from the national team because he returned to Riga, it's unfair to hold his absence from the national team against him. However, as my study revealed, his domestic league play wasn't suggesting that he absolutely should have been in national team in 1981 and 1982. Based on numbers, it's somewhat understandable why he was left off the team. There were simply more players who had better years than him. However, in 1985 he definitely had a season that would have been worth a spot on the national team.

I don't believe the part about him toying with opposition, especially in competitive games. I can picture him 'toying', that is, outskating and stickhandling past weaker opponents and then, instead of scoring, unsuccessfully finishing the play because he couldn't bury it. I don't believe anyone chooses not to score.

When doing the study, I found Yakushev's numbers to be surprisingly good. I've always felt he's terribly overrated here because of a couple of good games against Canada, but he also had some success in Soviet league. I still think he's overrated, and should definitely be viewed as a worse player than Balderis, for example.

 

[SidGenoMario]

Maybe he wouldn't be Balderis if he didn't wear those sweaty Helmuts all the time

BAHAHAHAHAHAH

HA

 

[tony d]

Really good player, someone that had been on my radar in the ATD. Didn't get him unfortunately but an all around good player.

 

[VMBM]

I'm just doubting that leaders/no-BS guys like Mikhailov, Petrov and Tsygankov would have had any sympathy/tolerance for Balderis, if they felt that Balderis wasn't giving 100 percent on the national team. I don't remember Tikhonov saying anything about the subject in his book either. Deliberately missing scoring chances etc.? I'm not necessarily buying it.

I just think that it was Balderis-like to be an 'artist' and maybe a slightly selfish player; a bit like Matti 'Mölli' Keinonen in Finland (known as very skilled but not maybe the greatest team player).

OP, great work.

 

[tinyzombies]

What's his defensive play liike?

 

[Sturminator]

Balderis managed to survive under Tikhonov, not only for the Red Army, but also in Riga, where Tikhonov was coach before getting tabbed to go to Moscow (Tik brought Balderis with him from Riga, essentially by force).

He was able to execute the Soviet style of hunting the puck with his linemates in the neutral zone, diving on turnovers, and creating scoring chances. I wouldn't say he was great at it, but as part of a team concept, he fit just fine, and his speed helped.

 

[Overrated]

he wasn't much worse than Lafleur in the mid late 70s

and of course his most famous WC goal

 

[Michael Farkas]

I'm missing something here...maybe it's the whole Latvian vs Soviet thing or maybe he lacks a particular asset (hockey sense, finishing ability, etc.) because he's one of the more technically skilled Soviet players I've seen, but yet his production - particularly on national teams - is less than what the eye test would dictate. I've never been able to dive deep enough to figure out if he was just 1970's Maxim Afinogenov or Kasperi Kapanen or some such...he's remarkably talented in open ice though...

 

[tinyzombies]

I'm missing something here...maybe it's the whole Latvian vs Soviet thing or maybe he lacks a particular asset (hockey sense, finishing ability, etc.) because he's one of the more technically skilled Soviet players I've seen, but yet his production - particularly on national teams - is less than what the eye test would dictate. I've never been able to dive deep enough to figure out if he was just 1970's Maxim Afinogenov or Kasperi Kapanen or some such...he's remarkably talented in open ice though...

I remember watching him as a kid and he just popped off the screen. The announcers all fawned over him tho.

he wasn't much worse than Lafleur in the mid late 70s

and of course his most famous WC goal

That movement, regroup, protection and then Balderis …. I’ve never seen this this is incredible. That might be the best regroup ever lol.

 

[Sturminator]

I'm missing something here...maybe it's the whole Latvian vs Soviet thing or maybe he lacks a particular asset (hockey sense, finishing ability, etc.) because he's one of the more technically skilled Soviet players I've seen, but yet his production - particularly on national teams - is less than what the eye test would dictate. I've never been able to dive deep enough to figure out if he was just 1970's Maxim Afinogenov or Kasperi Kapanen or some such...he's remarkably talented in open ice though...

Balderis was on the CSKA 2nd unit at a time when the units were rolled out in toto on the powerplay.

Limited scoring opportunities at CSKA...and his scoring jumps right back up to the top of the league tables when he returns to Riga. Tikhonov did that man about seven different ways of dirty.

 

[Michael Farkas]

We don't have any/many domestic league games, do we?

 

[tinyzombies]

He's now 70 and currently serves as a board member of the Latvian Ice Hockey Federation.[3]

 

[Albatros]

I'm missing something here...maybe it's the whole Latvian vs Soviet thing or maybe he lacks a particular asset (hockey sense, finishing ability, etc.) because he's one of the more technically skilled Soviet players I've seen, but yet his production - particularly on national teams - is less than what the eye test would dictate. I've never been able to dive deep enough to figure out if he was just 1970's Maxim Afinogenov or Kasperi Kapanen or some such...he's remarkably talented in open ice though...

Allegedly Sergei Makarov's mother answered to reporters when asked about her son that they should write about Balderis instead as he was much better at the same things.

 

[VMBM]

IMO the three games of the 1979 Challenge Cup are interesting in the way that they kind of show the different sides of Balderis, if you will; the good, the bad (and the ugly, hihi).

The Canadian commentator team is talking about Balderis as a (or even the) guy to watch. But alas, he played lousy in the first game (TBF, so did much of his team); some flashes of his skills were on display, but overall he was simply inefficient.
In the second game, his linemate Kapustin scored two goals, and the USSR played a terrific game overall, but Balderis still looked mediocre and was ineffective.
Then finally in game three, he exploded and looked the part; a goal and an assist and was dangerous throughout. Arguably their best player in the game.

In case someone is interested and/or has missed it, a few years back I did an analysis on the Challenge Cup that also has a lots of game highlights (featuring Balderis too, both in good and bad):

My take on the 1979 Challenge Cup

 

[tinyzombies]

IMO the three games of the 1979 Challenge Cup are interesting in the way that they kind of show the different sides of Balderis, if you will; the good, the bad (and the ugly, hihi).

The Canadian commentary team is talking about Balderis as a (or even the) guy to watch. But alas, he played lousy in the first game (TBF, so did much of his team); some flashes of his skills were on display, but overall he was simply inefficient.
In the second game, his linemate Kapustin scored two goals, and the USSR played a terrific game overall, but Balderis still looked mediocre and was ineffective.
Then finally in game three, he exploded and looked the part; a goal and an assist and was dangerous throughout. Arguably their best player in the game.

In case someone is interested and/or has missed it, a few years back I did an analysis on the Challenge Cup that also has a lots of game highlights (featuring Balderis too, both in good and bad):

My take on the 1979 Challenge Cup

The NHL mailed it in after giving up the lead in that game 3 tho. I remember watching that live. And the jeering after Cheevers made that between the legs glove save when they were down four or five goals...

 

[Theokritos]

We don't have any/many domestic league games, do we?

Not much beyond very short game recaps and highlight reels.

 

[Zine]

Also, what do you think of this (from Joe Pelletier). It definitely explains why Balderis was returned to Riga, if nothing else. Might also explain why he did worse than expected on the national team.

This Joe Pelletier guy has no clue. Balderis has stated he was proud to play for the Soviet National Team. He wanted to play for CSKA too; at least initially.

If I recall correctly Tikhonov (coaching Riga) intenionally did not release him for the 1976 olympics. Undoubtedly to spite Boris Kulagin. I think players considered him Tikhonov's favorite in many ways. He was Tikhonov's protege. But correct, he was dropped from the national team once he went back to Riga.


EDIT:
Found the interview i recall reading. Interestingly it alludes to his dip in productivity. Imo he's similar to Kharlamov in many ways that the patterned USSR/CSKA style might have hindered his creativity.
He said he couldn't play as improvisational as he could on Riga.
Беседа с Хелмутом Балдерисом

 

[Overrated]

The NHL mailed it in after giving up the lead in that game 3 tho. I remember watching that live. And the jeering after Cheevers made that between the legs glove save when they were down four or five goals...

You mean game two right? Game three was a 6-0 sweep.

That movement, regroup, protection and then Balderis …. I’ve never seen this this is incredible. That might be the best regroup ever lol.

Yeah watching Soviet hockey was an experience

 

[Sturminator]

If I recall correctly Tikhonov (coaching Riga) intenionally did not release him for the 1976 olympics. Undoubtedly to spite Boris Kulagin. I think players considered him Tikhonov's favorite in many ways. He was Tikhonov's protege. But correct, he was dropped from the national team once he went back to Riga.

Tikhonov also swung sticks at Balderis when he was angry.

It was a very Tikhonov relationship.

 

[VMBM]

This Joe Pelletier guy has no clue. Balderis has stated he was proud to play for the Soviet National Team. He wanted to play for CSKA too; at least initially.

Tikhonov claims in his book that the idea of Balderis joining CSKA came from Boris Mikhailov, who he says was a good friend of Balderis'.

But yeah, it's hard to believe that Balderis would have played for CSKA or especially for the national team even as long as he did if he had been somehow reluctant and didn't give his best.

 

[Zine]

Tikhonov claims in his book that the idea of Balderis joining CSKA came from Boris Mikhailov, who he says was a good friend of Balderis'.

But yeah, it's hard to believe that Balderis would have played for CSKA or especially for the national team even as long as he did if he had been somehow reluctant and didn't give his best.

Makes sense. Balderis says he and his wife initially lived with the Mikhailovs when he started playing for CSKA.