Stay home,save yourself a headache

[Killion]

They are in NA just because their parents can sponsor their kids and that's it.

Exactly ozo, and its not a development a lot of people in North America are happy about. These teams these kids are playing for in what are termed "Outlaw Leagues", not a route with much success. Supposedly Tier II Jr.A but in reality more akin to Midget AAA. Not officially sanctioned, the operators "selling the dream" in a pay-for-play scheme. The players winding up in small remote markets in Northern Ontario or wherever (or the US) in a lot of cases at like 15/16/17/18, not able to really integrate what with language difficulties etc, schooling a problem & so on. While these leagues are scouted somewhat including Combines, NCAA, Provincial & Major Jr teams taking a look at the talent playing unfortunately very few move beyond them returning home often very disappointed, quitting the game when had they stayedat home & developed perhaps at a slower pace their odds wouldve increased to play pro if not in North America then in Europe. Some people are late bloomers. Nothin wrong with that, as well as the different style of game & brand of hockey as played in Russia, Finland or wherever else which is quite excellent.

 

[cska78]

Sounds like Abramov is gone to CHL...

 

[kp61c]

Sounds like Abramov is gone to CHL...

i'd have understood sokolov going there, he looks like a man among boys when playing for the nt. abramov? why'd he go to play in that meat grinder, i don't understand it at all. the better path for the players of his stature is to stay home and play on the big ice.there're rumors he won't be the only one. if popugaev goes too, that'll be a complete failure

 

[cska78]

Based on Vaisfield (and I completely agree) no one wants to play on this farce of a u18 team in the MHL and even more will leave to NA

 

[NICKtheGREEK]

Russian players who are giving an opportunity to play in the NHL most of the time are not going to reject it. NHL is a better, faster league, and the only place you are given an opportunity to win the greatest trophy in the world.

 

[malkinfan]

Russian players who are giving an opportunity to play in the NHL most of the time are not going to reject it. NHL is a better, faster league, and the only place you are given an opportunity to win the greatest trophy in the world.

This belongs on the corner of my driveway.

 

[loppa*]

Russian players who are giving an opportunity to play in the NHL most of the time are not going to reject it. NHL is a better, faster league, and the only place you are given an opportunity to win the greatest trophy in the world.

Correct me if I am wrong but here is my opinion...


The NHL expanded a lot in the 1990s. One reason why was because a lot of Russians came into the league - to accomodate more players more space was made. In those dark days (for Russia), people would flee if they can play hockey well. That means that many NHL teams had a wide range of Russian players. It would still be so today. However, I think it's fair to say that we no longer see those low end Russian players in the NHL, because the KHL keeps them. Hence, yes, so many of them have an opportunity. But the key thing that you are missing there is opportunity with meaningful minutes. Most would reject playing in the NHL if they end up averaging say 5 mins a game.

 

[cska78]

Correct me if I am wrong but here is my opinion...


The NHL expanded a lot in the 1990s. One reason why was because a lot of Russians came into the league - to accomodate more players more space was made. In those dark days (for Russia), people would flee if they can play hockey well. That means that many NHL teams had a wide range of Russian players. It would still be so today. However, I think it's fair to say that we no longer see those low end Russian players in the NHL, because the KHL keeps them. Hence, yes, so many of them have an opportunity. But the key thing that you are missing there is opportunity with meaningful minutes. Most would reject playing in the NHL if they end up averaging say 5 mins a game.

what do you mean by low-end Russian players in the NHL? Low end Russian players play in RHL.

 

[loppa*]

what do you mean by low-end Russian players in the NHL? Low end Russian players play in RHL.

I meant low end by NHL standards.

If Russia was in chaos like it was in say 1994, we would see far more Russians playing in the NHL, and perhaps another or two more NHL teams.

 

[cska78]

I meant low end by NHL standards.

If Russia was in chaos like it was in say 1994, we would see far more Russians playing in the NHL, and perhaps another or two more NHL teams.

there's no way Russia has as much talent as SU had in the late 80's early 90's, when we had 80 or so players in the NHL.

 

[kp61c]

there's no way Russia has as much talent as SU had in the late 80's early 90's, when we had 80 or so players in the NHL.

true, but the big clubs are awash in money now, that can't be said for the 90's. those few, who'd have some marginal demand among the nhl clubs, tend to stay in russia.

 

[Alessandro Seren Rosso]

there's no way Russia has as much talent as SU had in the late 80's early 90's, when we had 80 or so players in the NHL.

While you're right, you should have a look at what the situation was in late 90s-early2000s, some players were headed to NA who wouldn't even crack Metallurg Nk roster today

 

[loppa*]

^ This is a fascinating discussion. I think it goes far to show that the situation of hockey in Russia has indeed improved in the last couple decades.