C Mikhail Abramov (2019, 115th, TOR; traded to STL)

[LeafChief]

Shouldn't the success of Russians who graduated from the CHL like Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Svechnikov, Mikhail Sergachev, Alexander Radulov, Ivan Provorov, Nikita Zadorov, Ivan Barbashev, Dmitri Kulikov, Yakov Trenin, Anton Khudobin, Vladislav Namestnikov make you reconsider the idea that the CHL isn't good for Russians?

That's a lot of recent history clearly showing that your original statement isn't correct.

But Yakupov!

 

[hockeynorth]

TBH

I'd rather Abramov was in the KHL rn, but thats just cause he's probably above Q level now

 

[oooooooooohCanada]

He's on Russia's WJC camp roster

 

[Leafidelity]

Im pretty excited to see him play with Amirov

 

[Martin Skoula]

Shouldn't the success of Russians who graduated from the CHL like Nikita Kucherov, Andrei Svechnikov, Mikhail Sergachev, Alexander Radulov, Ivan Provorov, Nikita Zadorov, Ivan Barbashev, Dmitri Kulikov, Yakov Trenin, Anton Khudobin, Vladislav Namestnikov make you reconsider the idea that the CHL isn't good for Russians?

That's a lot of recent history clearly showing that your original statement isn't correct.

Not too many of those guys spent their overage years in the CHL, which is the main issue as far as I understand it (not being able to play in the AHL at 19/20). Do you really want a 20 year old Radulov putting up 152 points in 62 games against 15/16 year olds when he should be playing pro already?

Defensemen make more sense with their longer development curve, but 1st/2nd round forwards are regularly ready as productive middle-6ers or elite AHL forwards by 20. If someone like Nylander was drafted out of the CHL, what do you do? You don't want him playing 4th line minutes on a last-place team, and you don't want him lazily putting up 2+ PPG against teenagers when he's ready to be a #1C in the AHL already. Even someone like Marner, as much as his D+1 season was good for him, I think he would have had to cut out a lot of the dipsy doodling out of his game if he spent that season in the AHL instead.

 

[Namikaze Minato]

Not too many of those guys spent their overage years in the CHL, which is the main issue as far as I understand it (not being able to play in the AHL at 19/20). Do you really want a 20 year old Radulov putting up 152 points in 62 games against 15/16 year olds when he should be playing pro already?

Defensemen make more sense with their longer development curve, but 1st/2nd round forwards are regularly ready as productive middle-6ers or elite AHL forwards by 20. If someone like Nylander was drafted out of the CHL, what do you do? You don't want him playing 4th line minutes on a last-place team, and you don't want him lazily putting up 2+ PPG against teenagers when he's ready to be a #1C in the AHL already. Even someone like Marner, as much as his D+1 season was good for him, I think he would have had to cut out a lot of the dipsy doodling out of his game if he spent that season in the AHL instead.

But Abramov was a fourth rounder and marners dipsey doodling has given him a 94 point season.

 

[Martin Skoula]

But Abramov was a fourth rounder and marners dipsey doodling has given him a 94 point season.

I'm not saying the creativity is bad, but he had to reign it a bit in under Babcock in his 2nd and 3rd years. He could have come into the league already knowing what he can get away with against pros.

 

[Morgs]

Imagine if he was playing in Russia? He might be good enough to come over to NA some day.

 

[LeafChief]

Imagine if he was playing in Russia? He might be good enough to come over to NA some day.

Lmao!

CHL will ruin him, I thought.

 

[hockeeyyy]

If you look closely, you can see Abramov saying Nyet to Russian development.

 

[Lil Tuzzi Bert]

When’s he expected to head over to join team Russia?

 

[wings5]

Lmao!

CHL will ruin him, I thought.

Why are you overly excited for him doing well in the CHL though? The whole argument is based on the fact that the majority of these CHL Russian forwards struggle to transition to the pros, it's not about their junior accomplishments.

 

[stickty111]

When’s he expected to head over to join team Russia?

I believe the 27th will be his last game so 2 more games. It was said he is expected to play those 6 games and then head for team Russia. He has played 4 so far.

 

[Morgs]

Why are you overly excited for him doing well in the CHL though? The whole argument is based on the fact that the majority of these CHL Russian forwards struggle to transition to the pros, it's not about their junior accomplishments.

Because players playing well regardless is good. He's playing fantastic in a league that is right for his age.

The true test will be next year when he's on the Marlies. Based on the way he's dominated the QMJHL for a season and a bit now with little to absolutely no help it's pretty clear he may buck the trend recently where non-elite Russian prospects flame out in NA when they come over too early.

 

[wings5]

Because players playing well regardless is good. He's playing fantastic in a league that is right for his age.

The true test will be next year when he's on the Marlies. Based on the way he's dominated the QMJHL for a season and a bit now with little to absolutely no help it's pretty clear he may buck the trend recently where non-elite Russian prospects flame out in NA when they come over too early.

I hope he bucks the trend as well but still , there is only one thing you can say when it comes to junior prospects and that is nothing is for certain not matter how much they dominate juniors.

 

[Morgs]

I hope he bucks the trend as well but still , there is only one thing you can say when it comes to junior prospects and that is nothing is for certain not matter how much they dominate juniors.

You can say the same thing about literally every player outside the NHL.

It's not outrageous to be excited about a player that's dominating a league they're the right age for.

 

[wings5]

You can say the same thing about literally every player outside the NHL.

It's not outrageous to be excited about a player that's dominating a league they're the right age for.

It's not outrageous only in this case numerous Russian National team level forwards have been who have come to the CHL have not successfully transferred to pro. This is a reason to not get too ahead of ourselves. Plus the fact he's playing in a weakened QMJHL that's missing almost all of their Americans and Euros and limiting games within the division. It's all these factors together. No one is saying you can't be happy for a prospect but let's just not act yet like he's already a success that's stopped the trend is all I'm saying.

 

[Caser]

 

[LeafChief]

After being oddly scratched the first two games, he's been on fire the last two games.

I've watched quite a few games of his in the QMJHL and he seems to be bringing it to another level right now.

 

[Leafs87]

Some adjustments and maturing needed to be a pro but very nice tools.

 

[ViD]

He’s an absolute treat to watch, his speed and stick handling are ridiculous, he was beating Swedish defensemen time after time like it was nothing.

 

[stickty111]

His puck handling is even better then what I thought. He looks so smooth carrying it, and his creativity is also really good. We haven't even seen his shot that much yet, which now is one of his better attributes.

 

[TopChedder]

His puck handling is even better then what I thought. He looks so smooth carrying it, and his creativity is also really good. We haven't even seen his shot that much yet, which now is one of his better attributes.

Man posters forget how well Dubas and his team drafts.

We have quite a few gems coming and this kid is one of them.

 

[GTA]

Man posters forget how well Dubas and his team drafts.

We have quite a few gems coming and this kid is one of them.

sorry what’re you basing this on? How many ‘gems’ outside the first round has Dubas picked over the past several drafts?

 

[RoadWarrior]

sorry what’re you basing this on? How many ‘gems’ outside the first round has Dubas picked over the past several drafts?

Robertson says hi.