Pavel Buchnevich
Drury and Laviolette Must Go
What makes you say that?
I'm not implying that players actively take part in board discussions but aside from us living in a social media era, a lot of players know each other and talk. So even if a prospect doesn't follow the team that actually drafted him and never turns on the internet or the TV they still talk to each other.
This is their profession and passion (for most at least) and it would be HIGHLY unusual if they were unaware of what is going on at their future employer.
Maybe you are right, but on this specific point, I think a player living in Russia is a little more isolated from knowing the ins and outs of an NHL team.
I remember reading an interview with Buchnevich like a year ago where I think they asked him what he knew about the Rangers, and his answer seemed pretty limited. I think he named Lundqvist, Nash, Zuccarello, pretty much just the names that a person who has some grasp of following hockey might know about. Maybe he knew more, I can't actually find the interview right now after looking for it, but it was done right after he signed.
So I'm not sure. Maybe Shestyorkin has a very good grasp on the ins and outs of the team, but I also don't think its a given. This is just my opinion, but I think Sean Day has a better grasp on his competition at defense than Igor Shestyorkin on his competition at goalie. It's one thing if you are immersed in NA hockey culture, you read TSN, THW, you listen to these shows, follow all these hockey analysts and writers on twitter, its totally different if you are living in Russia. As I had mentioned, its the middle of the night there when NHL games are on, and I also don't think they provide their audience with coverage of the NHL anywhere near as comprehensive as what you will find if you are actually living in North America. Maybe Buchnevich is filling Shestyorkin in on a lot, I really don't know, I'm only guessing that they still might have to sell him that there's minutes up for grabs.