LD Vladislav Gavrikov (2015, 159th, CBJ)

[mikeyp24]

We are trying hard to get him on the team next year. GMJK is going to meet with him to discuss. He either wants to stay in the KHL 2 years to play in the Olympics or he wants to come over and make sure he is on the main roster. He has shown over there and in this tourney he is a NHL quality shut down player. Based on my viewings he is the best pure defense on the team. Other guys are more well rounded and have better offense but Gav is clearly the highest IQ guy out there from what I've seen.

 

[VoluntaryDom]

shut down stud

 

[mikeyp24]

Just wish he was a righty.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Finished the tournament with +9 and was probably the best defenseman on Team Russia in his own end. When he comes to the NHL, he will be like Zaitsev, another instant top4 defenseman.

He isn't as good as Zaitsev offensively, but probably as good, if not better defensively, and he's just 21.

 

[MaxV]

I wouldn't give up on his offensive game yet either. He shows flashes there.

His role with Loko has been stay-at-home so far, but it might expand.

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

I wouldn't give up on his offensive game yet either. He shows flashes there.

His role with Loko has been stay-at-home so far, but it might expand.

I think that he hardly will ever have a significant output, either in the KHL or in the NHL. It's just his style. He doesn't have much of a shooting ability, doesn't have a fast-enough release, when he scores it's mostly one-timers or snaps. He also plays it simple, so he's unlikely to get many assists. But it's fine, not all dmen are Kirill Koltsov and teams need defensive guys too.

 

[Xoggz22]

Any word on his knee injury?

 

[Kshahdoo]

Any word on his knee injury?

Nothing I've heard.

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

Any word on his knee injury?

Should be out some 6 weeks, nothing too bad.

 

[Xoggz22]

Should be out some 6 weeks, nothing too bad.

Thank you

 

[Caser]

 

[Kshahdoo]

He could probably make CBJ defense even better.

 

[kp61c]

He could probably make CBJ defense even better.

they will bury him in the ahl. that won't be a good decision.

 

[Nalyd Psycho]

they will bury him in the ahl. that won't be a good decision.

Spending a year getting 22+ minutes a game in the AHL would not be a bad thing for his development.

 

[stevo61]

they will bury him in the ahl. that won't be a good decision.

You think anything a Russian does that isnt in the KHL is a bad decision. Have you even ever heard Jarmo talk about Gavrikov? Hes already in love with him and Im sure Torts will love a defensive beast that is huge and works hard.

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

Spending a year getting 22+ minutes a game in the AHL would not be a bad thing for his development.

He can play the same minutes in the KHL and play on the big stages with the national team. I think it should be a no brainer for a player like him, at his age, to spend 2017-18 in the KHL.

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

You think anything a Russian does that isnt in the KHL is a bad decision.

He's not wrong. Players who cross the pond early have a very high fail-to-success ratio.

 

[stevo61]

He's not wrong. Players who cross the pond early have a very high fail-to-success ratio.

He has 2 years and part of another of experience in the KHL, thats more then a lot of young guys. Hes physically ready, he has the defensive ability and awareness so really all thats left is getting to know the game on smaller ice at this point. Sometimes players bust, occasionally it can be mismanagement or sometimes its a players fault like Filatov. Happens to players from all countries so its not just as simple to assume if more time was spent in the KHL they will have guarenteed success over here. Gotta be patient and show maturity sometimes but Columbus played a 20 year old and a 22 year old in playoff games this season, oh and a 19 year old on its top pair. This is not a team scared to dress young guys if they show the ability to handle themselves

 

[Nalyd Psycho]

He can play the same minutes in the KHL and play on the big stages with the national team. I think it should be a no brainer for a player like him, at his age, to spend 2017-18 in the KHL.

It can make for a valuable transition. And he would likely only be in the AHL until an injury hits the blueline.

 

[wings5]

they will bury him in the ahl. that won't be a good decision.

It's not like he's 18 years old though, I don't see this as being so horrible, he might even be able to beat out Nutivaara for a spot.

 

[mikeyp24]

Jarmo has said since the end of the year interview he thinks he is NHL ready. If JJ gets drafted in expansion or Murray gets traded for a forward Gav likely plays bottom pair This year...

 

[BillDineen]

Take him to Lindsey's and order him Tornedos of Beef and he will sign.

 

[Caser]

Gavrikov's KHL rights were traded to SKA St. Petersburg and he signed a 2 year deal with them.

 

[vorky]

Gavrikov's KHL rights were traded to SKA St. Petersburg and he signed a 2 year deal with them.

SKA paid 2 million USD to Lokomotiv. NHL clubs pay 200 000 USD for much better Europeans. Sad.

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Too bad but don't blame him.