G Alexei Melnichuk - HC Sochi, KHL (2016 undrafted; signed by SJS; traded to TBL)

[Sens72]

 

[TheWhiskeyThief]

That is getting value.

 

[Caser]

It's official now:

 

[TreeLane]

His future is very bright and will get to work with Nabokov with the Barracuda for the next year which will be great for him. Nabby can teach him English, give him familiarity and Nabby is becoming a very good goalie coach. He brought Dell's game back up last year and even helped a terrible Martin Jones improve.

 

[Caser]

Loaned to Torpedo Nizhniy Novgorod in the KHL.

 

[Evgeny Oliker]

Will he be the starter for Novgorod?

 

[themelkman]

Will he be the starter for Novgorod?

Will be interesting if he is. If he has a crazy good start to the year in the K, the sharks may regret trading or signing a backup goalie and putting ourselves in the rangers and islanders situation.

 

[bagsw]

Will he be the starter for Novgorod?

He has a good chance, because Torpedo’s starter is pretty weak

 

[SoundAndFury]

Will he be the starter for Novgorod?

That's almost certain yes, Torpedo goalies aren't close to his level. They are kinda bad.

Will be interesting if he is. If he has a crazy good start to the year in the K

Don't expect too much, numbers-wise, Torpedo's D is also a bit of a mess. Guys with offensive skill but hardly a defensive stalwarts. So going ~92% Sv% would be amazing result.

 

[barriers]

I thought SKA would've still owned his KHL rights. I hadn't seen mention of this trade

 

[Caser]

 

[themelkman]

I think the sharks will be open to giving him NHL games this year if the main tandem doesnt bounce back. Hes already pretty good at starting in the KHL, so I cant see the AHL being much different for him

 

[DJB]

Any update on this guy? NHL upside to potentially be a starter?

 

[Cas]

Any update on this guy? NHL upside to potentially be a starter?

He's still on the taxi squad and is expected to see AHL time, swapping with Korenar at some point. Otherwise no updates.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Any update on this guy? NHL upside to potentially be a starter?

He hasn't really been good this season, I'd say even his chances to be an NHL backup are quite slim, nevermind the starter.

 

[Bourdon]

He hasn't really been good this season, I'd say even his chances to be an NHL backup are quite slim, nevermind the starter.

His KHL numbers look about in line with his teammates. Any particular thing that sticks out to you as egregious in his play?

 

[SoundAndFury]

His KHL numbers look about in line with his teammates. Any particular thing that sticks out to you as egregious in his play?

You kind of answered it yourself. Goaltending is an obvious Torpedo's weakness, that's why they got Melnichuk (and recently Kochetkov) to address it in the first place. None of the goalies they have are really of KHL starter caliber. And yet, statistically, Melnichuk did the worst of the group, he didn't become clear cut #1 even with that competition.

I have no doubts, if he had a normal pre-season and got into the rhythm he would be the best goalie out of that group but if we are talking about the NHL performance levels he has a long way to go.

 

[themelkman]

You kind of answered it yourself. Goaltending is an obvious Torpedo's weakness, that's why they got Melnichuk (and recently Kochetkov) to address it in the first place. None of the goalies they have are really of KHL starter caliber. And yet, statistically, Melnichuk did the worst of the group, he didn't become clear cut #1 even with that competition.

I have no doubts, if he had a normal pre-season and got into the rhythm he would be the best goalie out of that group but if we are talking about the NHL performance levels he has a long way to go.

Melni also had most of the harder starts when I watched. I still have hope for him because Torpedo has no defensive system in front of him.

 

[Patty Ice]

Torpedo has no defensive system in front of him.

Perfect to ready him for San Jose.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Melni also had most of the harder starts when I watched. I still have hope for him because Torpedo has no defensive system in front of him.

This is all true, Torpedo definitely play very lose in their own zone (although they have gotten a bit better recently) and he was being trusted with the biggest games. Once again, I think everyone has recognized he is the best goalie they have, he just didn't excel in that role.

 

[Caser]

Debuted in the NHL.

 

[ViD]

Leads NHL in SV%

 

[themelkman]

Could start an actual game this week. Jones is going in the first game against Vegas but if he gets blown out again who knows

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]