Let's start off with Florida being a tire fire. So I totally expect Bob geting the flak once again. Part of it he deserves, but only a small part of it. Vasilevskiy certainly surpassed him by riding a huge wave of success as a clear cut #1. If a major tournament started today, Vasilevskiy would be the undisputed starter for Russia. Bob's rep suffered big time though. Not so long ago he would have been in the discussion to start and a lock Top2 guy. IMHO, I would not throw him under tha bus just yet. He is still a two time Vezina winner who decided to play on a bad team for huge money and have a nice time at Florida's beaches. He is paying the price of it right now, but I don't see him falling right to the bottom of the chart because of it.
Behind Vasilevskiy right now is a huge dog-fight area. Shestyorkin, Sorokin, Samsonov all due to take starter roles(and run away with them). Btw the dog-fight is real as they will all play against each other a lot in the division. And the nice headache for Russia is they are all great or at least expected to be great.
Shestyorkin has already shown some brilliance and I fully expect him to thrive as a undisputed starter for a team with a lot of growing pains still ans a questionable D. I don't see Georgiev challenging him a lot. Given all Georgiev's credentianls he is still a step behind talent-wise.
Sorokin is in a perfect spot, having Varlamov as a mentor and a fellow Russian to show him around the team and the city and all the things he needs to know about the NHL and living in the US. I've met Varlamov and he comes across as a genuinely nice guy without a huge ego. His career is nearing it's end and he knows that. His health issues have not allowed him to reach his potential, but I think by now he made his peace with that and is happy with how the things work out for him on the Isles. I think they will be a perfect tandem for the Isles with no unnecessary competition due to age difference. Both the team and the guys understand Sorokin is the future and Varlamov will show him the ropes at least this coming season. The other factor is obviously Trotz. His defensive structure just makes it easy for the goalies.
The fact that Sorokin unlike the other two division rivals might start the season and spend stretches of it in a backup role is good for his development, but might hurt his status for many. In his last performances on Team Russia he was nothing short of brilliant though. I have always defended the point that while being different in style Shestyorkin and Sorokin are very much even in talent. I still see them on the same very high level. They certainly are both next in line behind Vasilevskiy and are the ones who would challenge him if he slows down and that "rivalry" between them I expect to cntinue throughut their career.
Samsonov looked a little less mature than Shesryorkin in the NHL, but he is in the same tier as the aforementioned two talent-wise. The unexpected role of a undisputed starter for Washington should be the right challenge at the right time for him. I do expect him to respond accordingly.
Khudobin is basically at his peak. He has a lot of additional qualities to his pure goaltending talent. He is a great teammate and a locker room presence and tremendous hard worker. A humble guy too. Given his age he is of course rather far away from being considered for Team Russia, but I personally would like to have him as a third guy even for a best on best tournament. Just because of those his other qualities. I also think he would make a good coach going forward.
Askarov is a prospect still. His potential obviously suggests he could challenge anyone in the future, but for now he has much to learn still.
For now I'd say:
Best-on-best
Starter - Vasilevskiy
Backups - Bob, Shestyorkin, Sorokin, Samsonov whoever is available and in better shape at the moment.
WHC if Vasilevskiy is not available:
Same group as above, but maybe Askarov as no.3.
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