Let's talk Nikita Kucherov

[Rodgerwilco]

I've been watching and paying close attention to Kucherov. He looks like a fine NHL talent with a crazy offensive upside. His defensive and physical game seems a bit lacking, but you'll have that with almost any smaller skilled forward, particularly at such a young age.

I'm interested to see what this kid will do in the future.

 

[Stephen]

He's amazing

Stamkos Kucherov and Drouin will be the deadliest trio in the league for a long long time

That's not a line.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

I've been watching and paying close attention to Kucherov. He looks like a fine NHL talent with a crazy offensive upside. His defensive and physical game seems a bit lacking, but you'll have that with almost any smaller skilled forward, particularly at such a young age.

I'm interested to see what this kid will do in the future.

He's ok defensively, not a liability for sure.
He doesn't play physical though, but I think he will be fine in PO.

Another thing about Kuch is that he's very clutch

 

[QJL]

He's a solid player and probably a 30 goal guy for years to come. I will say that he is leading the league in fortunate situations with the puck. He has 3 goals in the last few weeks that stemmed from horrible defensive zone misplays leaving him alone in front of the net with the puck.

 

[VinikToWinIt]

Love this kid. He always had the potential and he's really starting to take control this year. His playmaking surprises me with just how good it can be, not to mention his quick release and shot.

He's ok defensively, not a liability for sure.
He doesn't play physical though, but I think he will be fine in PO.

Another thing about Kuch is that he's very clutch

Yes. 3rd period terror.

 

[Callum]

He's ok defensively, not a liability for sure.
He doesn't play physical though, but I think he will be fine in PO.

Another thing about Kuch is that he's very clutch

As of late he's actually been using his body a lot more, not "big hits" but smart plays using his body to take the opponent out of the play.

 

[Bure]

How do teams pass up on a talent like that in the draft. The kid set an U18 record for scoring and kids picked in the second round.

 

[Yzlamic Preacher*]

Tampa fans were excited the moment he announced that he was coming over to North America. He has shown he has a scoring touch in every league he has played. He may never reach 50 goals or 40, but Damn well sure he will be a consistent 30 goal scorer in the league.

 

[Chandler55]

damn as a leaf fan as much as i hate to say it theres no chance Stamkos is coming home , Stevie Y and Tampa are making all the right moves

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Wanted the Hawks to draft him ,, only got Saad instead

Would have been amazing to have Kucherov and Saad

 

[2020 Cup Champions]

That's not a line.

I've been begging for it to be one. We could slot Callahan or Connolly on the 2nd RW (if we want to give him a playmaker in Johnson and puck-fetcher in Palat, to pump his tires for trade if nothing else).

How do teams pass up on a talent like that in the draft. The kid set an U18 record for scoring and kids picked in the second round.

IIRC he slipped in the draft because teams were scared of the "Russian factor" in the wake of Kovalchuk leaving. We also got Namestnikov who looks like he could be a good 2C and Nesterov which we still don't quite know what we have with.

 

[Bure]

I've been begging for it to be one. We could slot Callahan or Connolly on the 2nd RW (if we want to give him a playmaker in Johnson and puck-fetcher in Palat, to pump his tires for trade if nothing else).



IIRC he slipped in the draft because teams were scared of the "Russian factor" in the wake of Kovalchuk leaving. We also got Namestnikov who looks like he could be a good 2C and Nesterov which we still don't quite know what we have with.

I know it was due to russian factor but you gotta take these most talented kids coming from Russia. They almost always atleast attempt to make the NHL.

 

[The Macho King]

I know it was due to russian factor but you gotta take these most talented kids coming from Russia. They almost always atleast attempt to make the NHL.

He was also REALLY small. Like... 160 pounds or so. And he kind of came out of no where at that point - he wasn't even on the list as top ten euros by central scouting. Then on top of it there was the concern he'd never come over.

I get why he slipped, but I'm also glad that Yzerman and Murray are awesome at their jobs.

 

[bWo*]

It breaks my heart that he's on tampa. Apparently Feaster was going to try and get him an gaudreau in the late part of the draft but after tampa moved on him they needed to grab gaudreau. What could have been!

 

[Bure]

He was also REALLY small. Like... 160 pounds or so. And he kind of came out of no where at that point - he wasn't even on the list as top ten euros by central scouting. Then on top of it there was the concern he'd never come over.

I get why he slipped, but I'm also glad that Yzerman and Murray are awesome at their jobs.

I'm saying other scouting departments are lacking. In russia he was a well known prospect.

 

[kp61c]

I'm saying other scouting departments are lacking. In russia he was a well known prospect.

that's an an understatement. he was exceptional in russia. saying "go scout russia more" is a mistake. you don't need scout more to see the potential and kucherovs don't grow on trees. tampa hit the bull's eye, lucky devils, that's it

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

He's a solid player and probably a 30 goal guy for years to come. I will say that he is leading the league in fortunate situations with the puck. He has 3 goals in the last few weeks that stemmed from horrible defensive zone misplays leaving him alone in front of the net with the puck.

Those situations are due to playing with puck hawks Tyler Johnson and Palat.

 

[The Macho King]

Those situations are due to playing with puck hawks Tyler Johnson and Palat.

He's quite the puck hawk himself. Surprisingly good along the boards considering his size - he walks away from a scrum along the boards more times than he should. Just great hands.

 

[LightningStrikes]

Kid's awesome!

 

[Rschmitz]

Just fun to watch, game is defined by speed and smarts. Plays very much like Johnson but with a bit more sizzle and less jam.

His hybrid gameplay in front of the goalie is what he will be most known for before his career is over though. Unique and virtually impossible to completely defend against.

 

[Bolt32]

When drafted he reminded me of the Russian Version of Stamkos. Come to find out, he isn't. While he doesn't have Stammers shot, he has much more flair and will use it to take advantage of a situation, and is a better Play maker than Stamkos. Simply amazing. Kid is going to become a franchise player for us.

 

[The Macho King]

When drafted he reminded me of the Russian Version of Stamkos. Come to find out, he isn't. While he doesn't have Stammers shot, he has much more flair and will use it to take advantage of a situation, and is a better Play maker than Stamkos. Simply amazing. Kid is going to become a franchise player for us.

Right now I'd take anyone on that "second line" over Stamkos.

 

[OzzyFan]

Kucherov will be a 30goal-60pts/yr guy easy soon. Insane potential, pure scorer. He may have a richard in his future too. Guy can shoot with the best of them, as good or better than Tarasenko.

 

[The Macho King]

Kucherov will be a 30goal-60pts/yr guy easy soon. Insane potential, pure scorer. He may have a richard in his future too. Guy can shoot with the best of them, as good or better than Tarasenko.

Slow down.

 

[QJL]

Kucherov will be a 30goal-60pts/yr guy easy soon. Insane potential, pure scorer. He may have a richard in his future too. Guy can shoot with the best of them, as good or better than Tarasenko.

Second the slow down