The Phantoms don't have an obvious candidate 1C for 17-18 apart from Vorobyov. I'm sure he and his agent have noticed that.
That's the writer's strongest argument. If he plays in NA, he is most likely in the AHL and within the entry level system he earns $100k at most, his next KHL contract will pay him more. (The role in Lehigh Valley doesn't matter in that context)
(The article is wrong on many other points though)
Exactly, if he comes to the US and kicks ass, he'll be on the short list for call ups. Another thing they probably noticed, the Flyers aren't flushed with NHL ready forwards.
Aside from Lindblom, that's about it. Everybody else is Bottom 6 ceilings
I don't disagree. If there's spots open on the Phantoms, then that's great. I just would rather not see him stuck behind a bunch of vets like NAK and Fazleev were this year. I know the Phantoms had 5 or 6 veteran forwards this year, are most of them leaving?He definitely would not be buried on the Phantoms. That is silly. Vorobyov is a super quality prospect.
Exactly, if he comes to the US and kicks ass, he'll be on the short list for call ups. Another thing they probably noticed, the Flyers aren't flushed with NHL ready forwards.
Aside from Lindblom, that's about it. Everybody else is Bottom 6 ceilings
Plus Filppula only has one year left and depending on how the Flyers season goes, might not be on the roster past the trade deadline. So there is tremendous opportunity for Voroybov.
I have only seen him in the junior tournament and was pleasantly surprised. He reminds me of Couturier. Always seemingly in the right spot, good on the boards, good vision/passer but he was a little heavy legged. Seemed a little more fiesty/aggressive that Couts. I think he has a better chance of being a long term asset than Rubstov not because of skill but intangibles.And Vorobyov is a heckuva player. Big, strong, fast and skilled. Has a nose for the and superior passing vision. Whether it's a C or wing, he's going to be a Flyer regular by 2018-19 for sure.
And Vorobyov is a heckuva player. Big, strong, fast and skilled. Has a nose for the and superior passing vision. Whether it's a C or wing, he's going to be a Flyer regular by 2018-19 for sure.
I have only seen him in the junior tournament and was pleasantly surprised. He reminds me of Couturier. Always seemingly in the right spot, good on the boards, good vision/passer but he was a little heavy legged. Seemed a little more fiesty/aggressive that Couts. I think he has a better chance of being a long term asset than Rubstov not because of skill but intangibles.
He's a center. I can't even imagine him on the wing.
I have no clue what you are trying to say about Rubtsov. All the positive attributes you listed apply to Rubtsov. What intangibles is he missing? I'm dumbfounded here.
He's a center. I can't even imagine him on the wing.
I have no clue what you are trying to say about Rubtsov. All the positive attributes you listed apply to Rubtsov. What intangibles is he missing? I'm dumbfounded here.
Hard to put into words and i could be completely wrong as he matures physically and mentally but I just get the feeling something isn't right with Rubstov between the ears. Watching him play only a few times he is nothing like what i saw with Vorobyov. More skilled, faster but doesn't read the game nearly as well and nowhere near as tough and determined. The KHL debacle, WJC and now with Chicoutimi always dinged up or some issue, maybe its a string of bad luck/situations but the radar is definitely up for me with him.
Hard to put into words and i could be completely wrong as he matures physically and mentally but I just get the feeling something isn't right with Rubstov between the ears. Watching him play only a few times he is nothing like what i saw with Vorobyov. More skilled, faster but doesn't read the game nearly as well and nowhere near as tough and determined. The KHL debacle, WJC and now with Chicoutimi always dinged up or some issue, maybe its a string of bad luck/situations but the radar is definitely up for me with him.
3 broken bones is bad luck. It's not "injury prone"
Saying Rubtsov isn't tough and determined is where you lose me. He has a high motor all over the ice imo. Watching him on the forecheck stalk the puck is a thing of beauty.
I get that you're skeptical because of his injury issues this year. But I don't think you can hold the KHL or WJC against him at all. That's out of his hands and pretty common given his age. When he has played, he's been very good.
Three separate incidents? In two years? That would be my definition of injury prone.
I hope your are right. As i stated i have only seen him and Vorobyov a few times but wouldn't be surprised at all if Vorobyov doesn't have a better NHL career.
As long as Giroux and Couturier are locking down those center positions, Rubtsov and Vorobyov are probably competing for one spot in the near future (I mean that's the hope anyway, unless one is at 4C, but we obviously hope they hit and are contributing more). To me, I can't see Vorobyov at wing. Just can't. He has no real holes in his game and looks every bit the part of a center. It's like picturing Coots on the wing. Rubtsov......well we know he can play wing, and he's certainly the faster, more dynamic player offensively. Way easier to see him starting out there at least.
Hell, they'd probably look great on a 3rd line together to start. Just stick a more natural finisher on that RW.