Player Discussion: Nikita Nesterov

[geoo9]

So Nesty at 2nd PP pair did not looks bad. What do y think ab-t it ?

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

So Nesty at 2nd PP pair did not looks bad. What do y think ab-t it ?

I agree. He's really helped the pp, and right now that's what is keeping him in the lineup over Barberio.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

4 games point streak.

 

[geoo9]

May Coop include him at 1 pp unit? Is that make sense?

 

[geoo9]

4 games point streak.

Mtazek sitting all time long. It time for far distance shooting fest

 

[The Gongshow]

Mtazek sitting all time long. It time for far distance shooting fest

Agreed, you gotta go high on him.

 

[Jacko95]

Some might call me crazy, but most of you know how high I am on him for years now and that has not changed one bit.

Seeing how well he has played the last few games and overall how smooth his transition to the NHL was, I could seriously see him develop into Stralman 2.0 (the TBL version of him of course). He has no huge flaw in his game, is calm and just seems to make the right decisions. For me Stralman was better than Hedman this season, which is of course influenced that I prefer defenders in the Josi/Stralman mold over pure offensive/ pure defensive defenders. They just excite me more. And yes I do belief Nesty can develop into the same mold of player. He has no real flaw in his game, that could become a big problem in the NHL. His skating is NHL caliber, his decision making, while not perfect yet, seems to developing great and he tends to go for the simple, but successful play more often than not already. His shot is an absolut bomb (as he showed yesterday again) and he is willing (and physically able) to lay a hit here and there.

 

[Bolt32]

Some might call me crazy, but most of you know how high I am on him for years now and that has not changed one bit.

Seeing how well he has played the last few games and overall how smooth his transition to the NHL was, I could seriously see him develop into Stralman 2.0 (the TBL version of him of course). He has no huge flaw in his game, is calm and just seems to make the right decisions. For me Stralman was better than Hedman this season, which is of course influenced that I prefer defenders in the Josi/Stralman mold over pure offensive/ pure defensive defenders. They just excite me more. And yes I do belief Nesty can develop into the same mold of player. He has no real flaw in his game, that could become a big problem in the NHL. His skating is NHL caliber, his decision making, while not perfect yet, seems to developing great and he tends to go for the simple, but successful play more often than not already. His shot is an absolut bomb (as he showed yesterday again) and he is willing (and physically able) to lay a hit here and there.

I remember having a Conversation with Robert a year ago and I was Raving about Nesterov and that he has the potential to be a solid top 4 for us in the future. He pretty much all but called me Crazy. I Still stand by that statement, and so far Nesterov is well on his way. I want him on the Roster here on out, unless barring him just completely sucking in the near future.

 

[Vasilevskiy]

Ugh, I really doubt that he can be like Stralman... Stralman is the most underrated defenseman in the league IMO and is an elite d-man... but even if Nesterov stays the way he's I would be happy... I love how aggresive he's in the o-zone

 

[Callum]

Ugh, I really doubt that he can be like Stralman... Stralman is the most underrated defenseman in the league IMO and is an elite d-man... but even if Nesterov stays the way he's I would be happy... I love how aggresive he's in the o-zone

Agree 100%.

What a stud Nesty has been as of late. He really wanted to be a difference maker last night when a lot of guys didn't.

 

[TheThunderYears]

I'll echo everyone else with how impressed I've been with Nesterov. He needs to stay in the lineup with Sustr shuffled out.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

I don't see the Stralman comparison neither, if Nesterov's game looks closer to one of the elite class it would be Doughty, before I get called a NN homer again, not that Nestea belongs in the same conversation, just a model to follow. Both feast on the rush, both have good, creative offensive instincts, both rely on above average skating and shooting skills and more precisely both have the same mindset: No ***** given, I'll do my thing.

Stralman is more of a all-around, defensive minded mold. Extremely reliable.

 

[The Macho King]

I really like Nesterov, so keep that in mind when I give my following description.

He's not a defenseman. I mean, he is - and he does fairly well in the zone, but he's all over the damn ice. Sometimes I see him in the slot in the O zone and I'm like "wtf" - and sometimes he'll rush up to handle the point in the Dzone. It's wild - he actually has a great IQ for this stuff - hasn't been caught wildly out of position or anything, but he's like the exact opposite of Witkowski. Where Wit just does what he's supposed to do, Nesterov does everything you don't expect a rookie Dman to do, but he does it well.

I dig him. He's got some balls - we needed a guy like him and I'm so psyched he seems to be putting it together.

 

[chasespace]

At the moment, Nesterov is our 4th best defenceman. When Garrison comes back he'll be 5th best. Meaning if he sits for Sustr or Barberio then Cooper isn't icing the strongest lineup he can.

 

[TheDaysOf 04]

I would not be surprised to see Nesty stay in the lineup and Sustr sit when Garrison comes back. Coop putting him out there at the end of the game, his ice time in his first playoff game, and the amount of 3rd period shifts (both helped by 7 power plays) was very telling imo. Nesty's found his niche on the pp, but overall he's put himself in a position where it'll be really tough for Coop to take him off the ice.

 

[Jacko95]

I don't see the Stralman comparison neither, if Nesterov's game looks closer to one of the elite class it would be Doughty, before I get called a NN homer again, not that Nestea belongs in the same conversation, just a model to follow. Both feast on the rush, both have good, creative offensive instincts, both rely on above average skating and shooting skills and more precisely both have the same mindset: No ***** given, I'll do my thing.

Stralman is more of a all-around, defensive minded mold. Extremely reliable.

I don't think Nesterov will become a Stralman "clone". Sorry if thats what my first reply indicates. It's more the role and importance on the team. Both are great on both ends of the ice, Stralman better defensivly, Nesterov better offensivly (and from the elite Dmen Doughty seems actually pretty fitting), but what makes me think of a future Stralman kind of impact player is that calmness of Nestea. He does not get confused under pressure and makes the most of it. something almost the whole game of Stralman is build upon IMO. Be calm and confident and make the most out of every moment.

And yes I do believe right now that Nesterov could be a borderline #1 D in his prime, just like Stralman is right now.

 

[Volodya Krutov]

I don't think Nesterov will become a Stralman "clone". Sorry if thats what my first reply indicates. It's more the role and importance on the team. Both are great on both ends of the ice, Stralman better defensivly, Nesterov better offensivly (and from the elite Dmen Doughty seems actually pretty fitting), but what makes me think of a future Stralman kind of impact player is that calmness of Nestea. He does not get confused under pressure and makes the most of it. something almost the whole game of Stralman is build upon IMO. Be calm and confident and make the most out of every moment.

And yes I do believe right now that Nesterov could be a borderline #1 D in his prime, just like Stralman is right now.

Don't be sorry amigo, we're here to discuss. I said two or three days ago Nestea seems to have learned a lot from the pressbox the handful of games he was scratched, like he stole some of his recent defensive moves from Stralman. The day after Cooper states Nestea progressed because he realized he had more time by watching some tape. So I can see where you're getting at with Stralman's composure. Overall you have to be a sponge to mature your defensive game so quickly.

As for his ceiling, I would be delighted if he was a regular 2nd pairing PP specialist, anything more would be absolutely astonishing. Let's agree on this though: Nesterov, despite playing well at the moment still has a long way to go, he'll go through ups & downs for a while again. The path to become a legit defenseman in this league is full of pitfalls.

 

[garmonbozia]

I think the early expectations for Stralman in the NHL were that he'd develop like Nesterov has so far. Toronto and Columbus both used him more offensive oriented and his defense wasn't that good then. Whether it was Torts, his teammates, or just natural maturation; Stralman really redefined his place in the league when he played for the Rangers.

Nesterov is probably better now than Stralman was at 22, but, he won't be quite as good as Stralman is now when he's 28. Nesterov is making a great case to stay our 6th defenseman when Garrison gets back.

 

[HoseEmDown]

It depends on how Nesterov and sustr play today to determine who sits. I would think Carle - Coburn stays together as they played well, you could put Hedman - Stralman back together then the 3rd pair is either Sustr or Nesterov with Garrison. Garrison - Sustr were together most of the season so they have familiarity and allows Garrison to play his strong side.

If Nesterov has another strong game I can see him stay but we are already sitting one D so dumb to sit two when we can send Nesterov to Syracuse to help them go on a run.

 

[c_robio]

I really like Nesterov, so keep that in mind when I give my following description.

He's not a defenseman. I mean, he is - and he does fairly well in the zone, but he's all over the damn ice. Sometimes I see him in the slot in the O zone and I'm like "wtf" - and sometimes he'll rush up to handle the point in the Dzone. It's wild - he actually has a great IQ for this stuff - hasn't been caught wildly out of position or anything, but he's like the exact opposite of Witkowski. Where Wit just does what he's supposed to do, Nesterov does everything you don't expect a rookie Dman to do, but he does it well.

I dig him. He's got some balls - we needed a guy like him and I'm so psyched he seems to be putting it together.

I've noticed this as well and at first was often mistaking him for Kucherov

 

[Cigar City]

Trade bait at its finest next year. Hate to say it, but if Deangelo and Koekkoek keep progressing...

 

[chasespace]

It depends on how Nesterov and sustr play today to determine who sits. I would think Carle - Coburn stays together as they played well, you could put Hedman - Stralman back together then the 3rd pair is either Sustr or Nesterov with Garrison. Garrison - Sustr were together most of the season so they have familiarity and allows Garrison to play his strong side.

If Nesterov has another strong game I can see him stay but we are already sitting one D so dumb to sit two when we can send Nesterov to Syracuse to help them go on a run.

Except that Nesterov is playing better than Sustr so it would be dumb to send him down and play an inferior defender in his place.

 

[MattM92]

It depends on how Nesterov and sustr play today to determine who sits. I would think Carle - Coburn stays together as they played well, you could put Hedman - Stralman back together then the 3rd pair is either Sustr or Nesterov with Garrison. Garrison - Sustr were together most of the season so they have familiarity and allows Garrison to play his strong side.

If Nesterov has another strong game I can see him stay but we are already sitting one D so dumb to sit two when we can send Nesterov to Syracuse to help them go on a run.

Nesterov is crucial to our PP. He's the first guy all year that seems to resemble an effective PP QB. I'd like to see Kuch line up on the right dot to see if Nesterov-Kucherov can catch some of the Foster-Stamkos magic.

 

[HoseEmDown]

Except that Nesterov is playing better than Sustr so it would be dumb to send him down and play an inferior defender in his place.

Sustr was fine in game one, they both were on the ice when Nesterov scored. Sustr had some good plays to help keep the puck in on that shift. Nesterov got a lot of time late in game one because we were down, if we're up him and Sustr will sit for the more experienced players anyway. I don't see either playing a ton going forward as they'll play the veteran 5.

 

[HoseEmDown]

Nesterov is crucial to our PP. He's the first guy all year that seems to resemble an effective PP QB. I'd like to see Kuch line up on the right dot to see if Nesterov-Kucherov can catch some of the Foster-Stamkos magic.

We were still 0-7. He's not on the top unit so will only get 30 seconds a PP. I'd play him ahead of Sustr now but I'm looking at it as an asset management thing. He can play 25 in Syracuse or 15 here and Sustr who the organization likes doesn't play and you don't know if he'll improve. Barberio seems to have tapped out his development so him sitting is fine the other two need ice time.