barriers
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Confirmed with Link: Canucks sign F Danila Klimovich to ELC
- Thread starter LastWordArmy
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Nona Di Giuseppe
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bandwagonesque
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John Johnson
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Snatcher Demko
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It will take time, it's a big change for a kid like him. Really positive signs though.
Danila Klimovich is definitely flying under the radar as a Canuck prospect but it's difficult to overlook what he's doing in the AHL as an 18-year old a year after being drafted.
At a time when a lot of kids are playing their second year of junior or heading back to the NCAA to build their games up, Klimovich is competing against pro players who are bigger, stronger and faster than any junior or college league.
Admittedly he's struggled at times, especially in the defensive zone, but at least a couple of times a game he makes a play or two that brings you out of your seat. Even road announcers have commented on the fact that it's hard to believe that the kid is only 18, since he can compete physically with almost any player he's matched up against.
But his calling card, in addition to his stickhandling, is 'the shot'. It's already an NHL release and he'll let it go from anywhere. I give him maybe one more year in the AHL before he arrives in Vancouver for good. And a top six forward spot is his for the taking.
At a time when a lot of kids are playing their second year of junior or heading back to the NCAA to build their games up, Klimovich is competing against pro players who are bigger, stronger and faster than any junior or college league.
Admittedly he's struggled at times, especially in the defensive zone, but at least a couple of times a game he makes a play or two that brings you out of your seat. Even road announcers have commented on the fact that it's hard to believe that the kid is only 18, since he can compete physically with almost any player he's matched up against.
But his calling card, in addition to his stickhandling, is 'the shot'. It's already an NHL release and he'll let it go from anywhere. I give him maybe one more year in the AHL before he arrives in Vancouver for good. And a top six forward spot is his for the taking.
Anyone remember Ales Kotalik? He reminds me of him. Big body, nice hands, bomb of a shot.
In the end both players are thinking Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
In the end both players are thinking Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
Yes I do remember Kotalik. Coincidentally drafted during Benning's time as the Director of Amateur Scouting.
I hope Klimovich plays with more intensity, effort, and physicality than Kotalik did though.
Kotalik wasn't a bad player. His intensity and effort waned back and forth, but he definetly knew how to use his body(averaged over 100 hits per season), and he peaked as a 60 point player, and over 400+ game stretch he averaged 20 goals and 45 points per season. If we got that out of Klimovich that's a steal.
It's an interesting comparison....Kotalik was a Czech player who spent more than 10 years in the league, mostly with the Sabres....and routinely scored 16-25 goals a season. But always left people wanting more with his size and skillset.
But the difference is that Kotalik broke in with the Rochester Americans when he was 22.....what Klimovich is doing in the AHL as an 18-year old, is pretty rare. And it's safe to say that the AHL is a lot stronger league now than it was in 2001 when Kotalik broke in.
It's still early for Klimovich....but what's encouraging is that he doesn't shy away from the heavy going and has dished out some heavy checks on guys a lot older and physically stronger. So by the time he's 22, he'll be a physical force as well.
But the difference is that Kotalik broke in with the Rochester Americans when he was 22.....what Klimovich is doing in the AHL as an 18-year old, is pretty rare. And it's safe to say that the AHL is a lot stronger league now than it was in 2001 when Kotalik broke in.
It's still early for Klimovich....but what's encouraging is that he doesn't shy away from the heavy going and has dished out some heavy checks on guys a lot older and physically stronger. So by the time he's 22, he'll be a physical force as well.
JumpierPegasus
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Funny enough Kotalik also got the opportunity to play in Abbotsford. Under very different conditions than Klimovich though
I can see the comparisons. I really like what I see out of him in the A right now, he definitely is raw, and I can see him spending 3-4 years honing his game here before actually making the jump. Big body, good speed and hands, great at getting around the defenders and making a play, but it isn't always the right now. I think that'll come with understanding and time of the space he has on the ice, and the smarter positioning of NA pro players.
I don't even think he's been that bad defensively, but Cull has certainly been ensuring that he's sheltered and protected from hard defensive roles. More PP and O zone time. He's great in transition too which is awesome. I like him a lot, and hope he can continue to round out his game and keep getting better.
I can see the comparisons. I really like what I see out of him in the A right now, he definitely is raw, and I can see him spending 3-4 years honing his game here before actually making the jump. Big body, good speed and hands, great at getting around the defenders and making a play, but it isn't always the right now. I think that'll come with understanding and time of the space he has on the ice, and the smarter positioning of NA pro players.
I don't even think he's been that bad defensively, but Cull has certainly been ensuring that he's sheltered and protected from hard defensive roles. More PP and O zone time. He's great in transition too which is awesome. I like him a lot, and hope he can continue to round out his game and keep getting better.
I'm not saying that he was a bad player, just more of an enigmatic player who was more of a PP and shootout specialist. I honestly don't remember him being a physical player. Certainly don't remember him being considered a power forward despite his sizable frame.
Aleš Kotalík won me a giant hot chocolate in Buffalo. The Sabres had a promotion where if a given player scored, Dunkin Donuts would honor your ticket stub with the drink of your choice. Kotalik was the guy, he scored, and I had like four pounds of concentrated sugar in a giant cup as a result.
Really makes you wonder that before the breakup of the former U.S.S.R., a guy like Klimovich would have been eligible for the Russian National Team, and might be a fixture in this tournament. It would be intriguing to see how he'd look playing against kids his own age.
You'd have to say that he's currently playing at a lot higher level than all the players at this annual WJHC tournament. Sure there are players like Jamie Drysdale; Seth Jarvis and Cole Silinger who stayed with the NHL teams despite being eligible for this tournament. But with the exception of Silinger, they were all drafted in 2020.
So based on this early reading, that puts Klimovich near the top of his 2021 draft class, based on draft-plus-one results.
You'd have to say that he's currently playing at a lot higher level than all the players at this annual WJHC tournament. Sure there are players like Jamie Drysdale; Seth Jarvis and Cole Silinger who stayed with the NHL teams despite being eligible for this tournament. But with the exception of Silinger, they were all drafted in 2020.
So based on this early reading, that puts Klimovich near the top of his 2021 draft class, based on draft-plus-one results.
barriers
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Klimovich might end up being Benning's parting gift to the Canucks.....was basically picked after a lights-out performance at the U-18's.....but a virtual unknown playing in Belarus during a pandemic year.
Most thought he was a reach in the early 40's of the second round.....but clearly based on early returns in the AHL, he was a legitimate first round talent. Can't really teach his stickhandling moves with the puck and has a wicked shot to boot.
Like a lot of young players he needs to get stronger and add a breakaway element to his skating. But just to be a contributing, everyday player in the AHL at 18, is a huge bonus.
Most thought he was a reach in the early 40's of the second round.....but clearly based on early returns in the AHL, he was a legitimate first round talent. Can't really teach his stickhandling moves with the puck and has a wicked shot to boot.
Like a lot of young players he needs to get stronger and add a breakaway element to his skating. But just to be a contributing, everyday player in the AHL at 18, is a huge bonus.
sting101
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Nice goal. Thats a NHL level top6 shot.
Hope he can keep building and put the pieces together we need it badly with how poor our system is right now
Hope he can keep building and put the pieces together we need it badly with how poor our system is right now
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