LD Nikolai Knyzhov (2016 undrafted; signed by SJS)

Juxtaposer

Outro: Divina Comedia
Dec 21, 2009
47,696
16,662
Bay Area
Not sure if there’s much to discuss, but I like him as a no muss, no fuss type of bottom pairing defenseman. Not particularly good at any one thing, but serviceable for sure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sandisfan

hohosaregood

Banned
Sep 1, 2011
32,406
12,614
I will say that he was one of the worst defenseman at the 2019 prospect camp. I was shocked that he was even signed tbh. But I think he's proven that he can play at an NHL level so far, even if the team he's on is dog booty.
 

57special

Posting the right way since 2012.
Sep 5, 2012
48,086
19,782
MN
He's got to learn the league a bit more. Decided to pick a fight with Marcus Foligno, which is the second time in 2years some non fighter has decided to "pick on" Marcus (Farabee did the same thing). It wasn't pretty, but when Foligno saw he was bleeding pretty badly he gestured to the ref to come in, then Knyzhov punched him. He's lucky he wasn't fighting a psycho, who would've put him in the hospital for that.
 

themelkman

Always Delivers
Apr 26, 2015
11,428
8,408
Calgary, Alberta
He's got to learn the league a bit more. Decided to pick a fight with Marcus Foligno, which is the second time in 2years some non fighter has decided to "pick on" Marcus (Farabee did the same thing). It wasn't pretty, but when Foligno saw he was bleeding pretty badly he gestured to the ref to come in, then Knyzhov punched him. He's lucky he wasn't fighting a psycho, who would've put him in the hospital for that.
Its a learning experience. Hes a big guy and probably underestimated him. Theres not too many actual phychos looking to hurt people in the league anymore (other than on the blues).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sandisfan

57special

Posting the right way since 2012.
Sep 5, 2012
48,086
19,782
MN
Its a learning experience. Hes a big guy and probably underestimated him. Theres not too many actual phychos looking to hurt people in the league anymore (other than on the blues).
Maybe he was blinded by the blood in his eye, and didn't see Foligno gesture to the refs, who started to come in. Learning experience for sure, but you don't punch on the break.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sandisfan

Juxtaposer

Outro: Divina Comedia
Dec 21, 2009
47,696
16,662
Bay Area
It would be pretty neat if this guy developed into a top-4 D, but for now I’m very happy with him as a good bottom paring guy and a solid partner for Karlsson.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sandisfan

SoundAndFury

Registered User
May 28, 2012
11,411
5,329
What's the correct pronunciation of his name?
Google translate > Кныжов > press the speaker.

Sharks announcers are doing ok job to be honest other than that weird pause between K and the rest. But maybe that just because English speakers are so used to k in "knee" being silent they unnaturally overcompensate in a case like this.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nunymare

Sandisfan

Registered User
Sponsor
Feb 27, 2002
1,157
1,141
San Jose
The thing I like about his game is the short quick passes or even skate open a short pass to escape pressure. How often have we seen Dmen get pressure from the fore-check and can't make up their mind in that spit second and either try the pass that spit second late and get it deflected and if they get it out it is after a strenuous regrouping in the D zone, or having to eat the puck by going backwards into the zone trying to move the puck around the boards behind the net. He has composure and works well with Karlsson.
 

Tenkkapoo

Registered User
Jul 28, 2020
93
43
And the trend continues. We see these undrafted and unheralded Russian kids WHO STAYED IN RUSSIA to make NHL rosters while all these "great teenage star" Russian players who leave to play junior hockey in Canada become busts. Knyzhov and Zub are two perfect examples for this season.

Another example is Kravtsov who came to North America way too early. A season in the KHL this year seems to have completely turned his game around and now is a legit NHL forward.

How long do we have to witness this idiocy of the best and most talented Russian kids ruining their careers be leaving too early?
 

MaxV

Registered User
Nov 6, 2006
4,890
590
New York, NY
He is interesting.

I wonder if there is more offensive upside left there.

My guess is that he is playing conservative right now to establish himself with the team.
 

ViD

#CBJNeedHugs
Sponsor
Apr 21, 2007
29,819
19,376
Blue Jackets Area
And the trend continues. We see these undrafted and unheralded Russian kids WHO STAYED IN RUSSIA to make NHL rosters while all these "great teenage star" Russian players who leave to play junior hockey in Canada become busts. Knyzhov and Zub are two perfect examples for this season.

Another example is Kravtsov who came to North America way too early. A season in the KHL this year seems to have completely turned his game around and now is a legit NHL forward.

How long do we have to witness this idiocy of the best and most talented Russian kids ruining their careers be leaving too early?
Peter25 you’re back bro?
 
  • Like
Reactions: themelkman

hohosaregood

Banned
Sep 1, 2011
32,406
12,614
And the trend continues. We see these undrafted and unheralded Russian kids WHO STAYED IN RUSSIA to make NHL rosters while all these "great teenage star" Russian players who leave to play junior hockey in Canada become busts. Knyzhov and Zub are two perfect examples for this season.

Another example is Kravtsov who came to North America way too early. A season in the KHL this year seems to have completely turned his game around and now is a legit NHL forward.

How long do we have to witness this idiocy of the best and most talented Russian kids ruining their careers be leaving too early?
He only trained in russia for his 19 and 20 YO seasons. He was North American trained for his pre-draft years. And he sucked dog butt when he first joined the Sharks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: themelkman

Mattb124

Registered User
Apr 29, 2011
6,569
4,005
And the trend continues. We see these undrafted and unheralded Russian kids WHO STAYED IN RUSSIA to make NHL rosters while all these "great teenage star" Russian players who leave to play junior hockey in Canada become busts. Knyzhov and Zub are two perfect examples for this season.

Another example is Kravtsov who came to North America way too early. A season in the KHL this year seems to have completely turned his game around and now is a legit NHL forward.

How long do we have to witness this idiocy of the best and most talented Russian kids ruining their careers be leaving too early?

His development was likely springboarded during his time in the notable Russian cities of Phoenix, Regina, Springfield, and Austin.
 

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad