C Alexander Khovanov - Metallurg Zhlobin, Belarus (2018, 86th, MIN released)

[Kshahdoo]

5+11 after 17 games in the VHL.

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

Can we bring this guy over for the AHL season already?

 

[wings5]

Can we bring this guy over for the AHL season already?

Nah keep him in Russia

 

[57special]

It seems to me that the Wild would have a more vested interest in his long term development than Bars Kazan. If he is going to be playing in the VHL, and is reported to have butted heads with management in Russia, you would think he would be better off in Iowa. It's not like he has to go through a cultural acclimatization if he comes back to NA.

 

[AKL]

Can we bring this guy over for the AHL season already?

Yeah that would be ideal, but could we even do it this season?

 

[MuckOG]

Yeah that would be ideal, but could we even do it this season?

We are for Ivan Lodnia, I suppose we could do the same for Khovanov. I guess the real question is: does he want to?

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

Yeah that would be ideal, but could we even do it this season?

I don’t see why we couldn’t, but it doesn’t sound like AK Bars is planning on releasing him

 

[AKL]

We are for Ivan Lodnia, I suppose we could do the same for Khovanov. I guess the real question is: does he want to?

I guess I forgot that Khovanov was loaned and still under contract with us. I would hope he'd want to. It's not like he's a stranger to NA, and he'd be playing in a better league, with the NHL being more accesible. How much does he get paid playing in the VHL? I know the AHL doesn't pay much, but I'd have to think it's not any worse than the VHL.

I don’t see why we couldn’t, but it doesn’t sound like AK Bars is planning on releasing him

If he's under contract with us and loaned out, does it matter if they want to or not?

 

[Caser]

Wouldn't be surprised if the Wild management just doesn't want to give him an AHL Top9 center roster spot (and the 4th line just won't work too good for him) this year, as there are some other C prospects in the system.

 

[AKL]

Wouldn't be surprised if the Wild management just doesn't want to give him an AHL Top9 center roster spot (and the 4th line just won't work too good for him) this year, as there are some other C prospects in the system.

Well Bonino, Eriksson Ek, Sturm, Rask, Bjugstad will all be up with the NHL squad. After that it depends on whether or not Dewar will be played as a center or a wing. Rossi, if not in the NHL (which might bump Sturm down to the AHL), would be in the Swiss league. So his only competition for a top 9 center spot in Iowa, in terms of prospects, would be maybe Dewar.

 

[Atas2000]

It seems to me that the Wild would have a more vested interest in his long term development than Bars Kazan. If he is going to be playing in the VHL, and is reported to have butted heads with management in Russia, you would think he would be better off in Iowa. It's not like he has to go through a cultural acclimatization if he comes back to NA.

You want a head case back? You can have him.

He just can't cut it anyway.

 

[Atas2000]

Can we bring this guy over for the AHL season already?

What's the benefit to any side?

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

What's the benefit to any side?

So I can watch him

 

[Atas2000]

So I can watch him

That might benefit you, but not your team. Pretty egoistic decision then, isn't it?

 

[16thOverallSaveUs]

That might benefit you, but not your team. Pretty egoistic decision then, isn't it?

It’s possible. But it’s also possible that it does benefit him. You cannot say definitively that it wouldn’t. I don’t know how much the VHL is benefiting him, either,

 

[Atas2000]

It’s possible. But it’s also possible that it does benefit him. You cannot say definitively that it wouldn’t. I don’t know how much the VHL is benefiting him, either,

He barely started getting a grip in the VHL. Now you want him to move again. I can hardly see how this would benefit his development.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

He barely started getting a grip in the VHL. Now you want him to move again. I can hardly see how this would benefit his development.

Direct control of the minutes he's getting and the situations that he's being placed in, would be benefits for us.

 

[Atas2000]

Direct control of the minutes he's getting and the situations that he's being placed in, would be benefits for us.

That belief just kills a lot of potential NHL teams have with their prospects. I know, the pipeline seems endless, but it is fairly ineffective with approches like this.

 

[thestonedkoala]

Khovanov's problem isn't talent, it's his head. Getting him into the AHL and with the Wild might be best for both.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Direct control of the minutes he's getting and the situations that he's being placed in, would be benefits for us.

He's the 2nd best scorer on his team while played half as many games. Do you think, he has any problems with minutes?

 

[Caser]

Well Bonino, Eriksson Ek, Sturm, Rask, Bjugstad will all be up with the NHL squad. After that it depends on whether or not Dewar will be played as a center or a wing. Rossi, if not in the NHL (which might bump Sturm down to the AHL), would be in the Swiss league. So his only competition for a top 9 center spot in Iowa, in terms of prospects, would be maybe Dewar.

I thought Damien Giroux and Mason Shaw are also natural centers, who are projected to be in the Iowa lineup. And also there is Luke Johnson, who usually occupied a top9 center spot last season I think.

 

[AKL]

I thought Damien Giroux and Mason Shaw are also natural centers, who are projected to be in the Iowa lineup. And also there is Luke Johnson, who usually occupied a top9 center spot last season I think.

Mason Shaw you're actually right about. Damien Giroux I wouldn't anticipate being a threat. Luke Johnson should be a top 9 center, but Khovanov would likely still have a top 9 role.

 

[Caser]

Mason Shaw you're actually right about. Damien Giroux I wouldn't anticipate being a threat. Luke Johnson should be a top 9 center, but Khovanov would likely still have a top 9 role.

And also I forgot about Gabriel Dumont, I think he also mostly plays center. So even without Giroux I'd say it looks like Dumont, Johnson, Shaw and Dewar as a default center lineup + possibly Sturm (in case of Rossi) + Rau and Giroux in case of injuries. Imo, doesn't look like a lot of room for Khovanov at all, not to mention the Top9.

 

[AKL]

And also I forgot about Gabriel Dumont, I think he also mostly plays center. So even without Giroux I'd say it looks like Dumont, Johnson, Shaw and Dewar as a default center lineup + possibly Sturm (in case of Rossi) + Rau and Giroux in case of injuries. Imo, doesn't look like a lot of room for Khovanov at all, not to mention the Top9.

I don't think all of those are necessarily threats to Khovanov's time. He's generally considered a better prospect than, well, all of them. And quite a few of them would play wing. But you're not wrong, it does start to look tight. My personal belief is that Khovanov would be a lock for top 9 ice time, thus I would prefer to have him here, but management may decide he's not really needed this season, and prefer to keep him in the VHL.

 

[Atas2000]

The best for his head would be to try earn something for a change.