steveayres35
Registered User
- Apr 27, 2018
- 349
- 62
Besides Datsyuk?
Although there are many ex-NHL players in the NHL you can't say they could crack an NHL roster today because that is why they're playing in Russia, because they weren't good enough. Among those who either haven't played in the NHL yet but probably could make an impact or left for the KHL despite still being good enough,my candidates are:
Andrei Markov
Sergei Mozyakin (but maybe too old now)
Kirill Kaprizov
Nikita Gusev
Vadim Shipachyov
Slava Voynov
Ilya Sorokin
Ilya Samsonov
Well NJ gave him 22-game chance and he didn't do anything with it. Hard to imagine a more favorable scenario for him to make it.3. Brian O'Neill - versatile forward with speed. Could easily see him on 3rd line of NJ or Van for example.
I really wonder about the KHL calibre of player. Leading goal scorer last year......Nigel Dawes,
KHL might be a good developmental league for younger players but virtually all older players aren't NHL special.
Gonna be interesting how Kovalchuk does in the next three years with LA. I'm not that optimistic for the Kings, I just don't think he gonna be worth his contract.
Should I start worrying about the caliber of an NHL player since Mats Zuccarello, for example, has higher career PPG there than he did in the KHL??I really wonder about the KHL calibre of player. Leading goal scorer last year......Nigel Dawes,
KHL might be a good developmental league for younger players but virtually all older players aren't NHL special.
That's an obvious list out of NA. All players known over there for some reason. Btw Samsonov is now technically not a KHL player.Although there are many ex-NHL players in the NHL you can't say they could crack an NHL roster today because that is why they're playing in Russia, because they weren't good enough. Among those who either haven't played in the NHL yet but probably could make an impact or left for the KHL despite still being good enough,my candidates are:
Andrei Markov
Sergei Mozyakin (but maybe too old now)
Kirill Kaprizov
Nikita Gusev
Vadim Shipachyov
Slava Voynov
Ilya Sorokin
Ilya Samsonov
More like 30-40% have the skill. Again, North Americans tend to overvalue the NHL. The culture shock is much less of a factor I might guess. The much bigger thing is the role factor. A guy who is a top 6 player in the KHL might have no desire being even a valued 3rd liner on a one way contract in the NHL with 12 mins TOI. Making reasonable money, playing a lot, maybe even being some local star in the KHL might be more desireable. The other side of the same factor is NA mamagement. When they choose between a NA or even some swedish or finnish guy and a Russian for the bottom 6, given a comparable skill set, demands and all who will they choose? The answer is a bit obvious. And it's common sense. So guys who are not projected to have potential to break a NHL top 6 or top 4 basically know theit chances too. They are better off in the KHL. So talking about the pure potential to be an NHLers is one thing, talking about realistic chances of Player X making the move is a completely different one.I'd wager a good 15%+ have the skill to play in the NHL. The bigger question is, of those players which are capable and willing to adjust their games to a North American style (sure, some teams play more of a Euro game name), to live across the world that speaks a different language, and have the patience to wait out their time to play, possibly even toiling away in the minors. I can't blame players like Ship or or Khokh for bolting and taking the easier money and more familiar life, they are good players. Just in the NHL like in a lot of places, you have to earn it.
Not a lot of players have it in them to make those changes in their life. One thing they don't tell you, and you don't realize all that well as fans, is it can be incredibly lonely. Especially if you're coming over without family. Of those 15%+ I think maybe 5-10 players right now have what it takes physically and mentally to make the shift.
Not even close, to be honest. Most teams on the bottom part of the standings have hardly any such players.More like 30-40% have the skill.
1.You can ship 90% of SKA over there. So what's your point? Weaker teams having weaker rosters?Not even close, to be honest. Most teams on the bottom part of the standings have hardly any such players.
1. My point is that there are way less teams like SKA than teams who have 1-2 NHL caliber players at best. Even some PO teams between those.1.You can ship 90% of SKA over there. So what's your point? Weaker teams having weaker rosters?
2.No, there are players on bottom feeders who could be NHL bottom 6 players.
3.It's probably your usual overrating of everything west of Pskov.
1.You aren't great at math or statistics for that matter. If SKA can deliver 20 POTENTIAL NHLers, that means a few other teams can have none and the percentage would still be where I put it. And that is while it is nearly impossible to survive in the KHL without talent at all. Even bottom feeders have at least one or two players with some skill.1. My point is that there are way less teams like SKA than teams who have 1-2 NHL caliber players at best. Even some PO teams between those.
2. There are but they are few and far between.
3. Oh that's harsh. I call for more territories for me. West of Nizhny Novgorod maybe.