W Nikita Kucherov (2011, 58th overall, Tampa Bay)

[pouskin74*]

Right now he is just as good, but for future i believe that Grigorenko is the better ''talent'' He could be the next superstar ala Malkin, Ovechkin.. I also think that Yakupov will be better, but not by so much as some people may think.

currently there is no sign of that

 

[HockeySauce]

Holy crap, this kid is tearing the IIHF U18's apart.

17 points (9 goals, 8 assists) in 5 games, +10

In which round is this guy supposed to go in again? Hawks should nab him if they can.

 

[DuckshaveaRPG]

i say he goes 2nd or early 3rd round i would be very happy taking him around them if he keeps up this level play from the under 18 he my even sneak into the first round

CAPS take him at 30th overall

 

[spikelechien]

Will the real Nikita Kucherov, please stand up!!!

EliteProspects Nikita Kucherov = 5'10 148 lb. @ http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=77237

NHL.com Nikita Kucherov = 5'10 163 lb. @ http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=9923

MHL Playoffs Nikita Kucherov = 5'10 148 lb. @
http://r-hockey.ru/player.asp?TXT=12991&Language=e

IIHF U20 Nikita Kucherov = 6'0 165 lb. @
http://www.iihf.com/channels1011/wm18/statistics.html

If someone says statistics don't count, remember Toni Rajala - he set new records at the U18 @ 5'10 163 and what did it get him - 4th round. So, is Nikita Kucherov 5'10 or 6'0, anybody know???

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

Will the real Nikita Kucherov, please stand up!!!

EliteProspects Nikita Kucherov = 5'10 148 lb. @ http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=77237

NHL.com Nikita Kucherov = 5'10 163 lb. @ http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=9923

MHL Playoffs Nikita Kucherov = 5'10 148 lb. @
http://r-hockey.ru/player.asp?TXT=12991&Language=e

IIHF U20 Nikita Kucherov = 6'0 165 lb. @
http://www.iihf.com/channels1011/wm18/statistics.html

If someone says statistics don't count, remember Toni Rajala - he set new records at the U18 @ 5'10 163 and what did it get him - 4th round. So, is Nikita Kucherov 5'10 or 6'0, anybody know???

Rajala is a perimeter player and his game isnt really suited to the North American pro game, does Kucherov play a strong game in the corners/dirty areas ala Linus Omark?

 

[Fulcrum]

He wins the pucks in the corners with his speed and ability to
'squeeze by' Defenders, plus he just looks more determined and puts in a lot of intensity when around the puck.

Perimeter player or not, but he is not afraid at all to attack the net. If a good pass is not available he will drive to the net by beating the Defender 1-1, or take him on the outside and cut inside <- IMO classical russian winger approach. You won't see him dumping the puck in unless its a line change or something.

His strongest assets I think are vision, passing, ability to create and finish plays.

Oh and don't forget his lethal slapper from the point, he netted quiet a few of them this year.

 

[HockeySauce]

He wins the pucks in the corners with his speed and ability to
'squeeze by' Defenders, plus he just looks more determined and puts in a lot of intensity when around the puck.

Perimeter player or not, but he is not afraid at all to attack the net. If a good pass is not available he will drive to the net by beating the Defender 1-1, or take him on the outside and cut inside <- IMO classical russian winger approach. You won't see him dumping the puck in unless its a line change or something.

His strongest assets I think are vision, passing, ability to create and finish plays.

Oh and don't forget his lethal slapper from the point, he netted quiet a few of them this year.

Thanks for the insight!

 

[pouskin74*]

Will the real Nikita Kucherov, please stand up!!!

EliteProspects Nikita Kucherov = 5'10 148 lb. @ http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=77237

NHL.com Nikita Kucherov = 5'10 163 lb. @ http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=9923

MHL Playoffs Nikita Kucherov = 5'10 148 lb. @
http://r-hockey.ru/player.asp?TXT=12991&Language=e

IIHF U20 Nikita Kucherov = 6'0 165 lb. @
http://www.iihf.com/channels1011/wm18/statistics.html

If someone says statistics don't count, remember Toni Rajala - he set new records at the U18 @ 5'10 163 and what did it get him - 4th round. So, is Nikita Kucherov 5'10 or 6'0, anybody know???

i believe IIHF because IIHF was right about Yakupovs size.

 

[Fulcrum]

I think on the ice I would say he looks more like 6'00". Basing that on how a 5'10'' player would look (noticeably small), which Kucherov doesn't. At this age they are still growing

 

[pouskin74*]

this boy is an animal. 21 points in 7 games ! just awesome!

 

[spikelechien]

I think on the ice I would say he looks more like 6'00". Basing that on how a 5'10'' player would look (noticeably small), which Kucherov doesn't. At this age they are still growing

Thanks!!! So, if he really is 6'0'', how can he not be 1st round, even being a Russian playing in Russia.

 

[Garyboy]

First time seeing Kucherov play this morning. WOW! This kid is an absoluet buzz saw. What a dynamic player. Most talented draft eligible forward I have seen all year. I can't see how this guy makes it out of the 1st round. If he was playing in the CHL, I'm thinking we'd be talking with him possibly going 1st overall.

 

[Jabba11]

According to Craig Button, this kid is going in the 1st round. Caps maybe? Montreal could pick him depending if he has the same determination to play in NA like Alexander Avtsin did..not like Maxim Trunev who's career is going down because he's staying in Russian and play about 9 minutes per game in the KHL.

 

[SuperSaiyanBeastmode]

I have a feeling the khl is gonna want to keep this kid, they gotta have some stars too? I think if he actually goes to the nhl draft it will be enough indication that he should be a top 45 pick, and he would at least think of going to NA, I could just imagine the main khl guy yelling at him"why did you have to go beast mode at the U18, you were supposed to be ours,dammit!"Haha.

 

[pouskin74*]

I have a feeling the khl is gonna want to keep this kid, they gotta have some stars too? I think if he actually goes to the nhl draft it will be enough indication that he should be a top 45 pick, and he would at least think of going to NA, I could just imagine the main khl guy yelling at him"why did you have to go beast mode at the U18, you were supposed to be ours,dammit!"Haha.

whooaat?

 

[wings5]

whooaat?

Lol in his own way he was saying he should have kept his talent a secret for the KHL's sake.

 

[SuperSaiyanBeastmode]

whooaat?

Wouldn't you be pissed if one of your best prospects could possibly go to NA(if you ran the khl), just because of the U18, when he was basically their best kept secret before.(Wasn't even top 5 in 2011 russian prospects before this tournament)there was a possibility of him not even being drafted whatsoever before.

 

[Zine]

Wouldn't you be pissed if one of your best prospects could possibly go to NA(if you ran the khl), just because of the U18, when he was basically their best kept secret before.(Wasn't even top 5 in 2011 russian prospects before this tournament)there was a possibility of him not even being drafted whatsoever before.

A player as good as Kucherov is eventually going to be 'discovered' no matter what; albeit U-18/U-20/MHL or KHL play.

It's not like the KHL was trying to keep him a secret.

 

[vorky]

in my opinion Kucherov will follow Tarasenko, Kuznetsov´s example.. he will stay in KHL at least when he is 24. He belongs to great organisation, to CSKA, he played KHL this season, he will play KHL next season for sure. Why should he go to NA to play in crappy leagues like CHL or AHL are (to compare to KHL)? no way

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

ok lets say you have a late second round pick...if you had to take either Grimaldi or Kucherov who would you take?

 

[YEGJuniorFan]

in my opinion Kucherov will follow Tarasenko, Kuznetsov´s example.. he will stay in KHL at least when he is 24. He belongs to great organisation, to CSKA, he played KHL this season, he will play KHL next season for sure. Why should he go to NA to play in crappy leagues like CHL or AHL are (to compare to KHL)? no way

I come in peace!

 

[Jabba11]

in my opinion Kucherov will follow Tarasenko, Kuznetsov´s example.. he will stay in KHL at least when he is 24. He belongs to great organisation, to CSKA, he played KHL this season, he will play KHL next season for sure. Why should he go to NA to play in crappy leagues like CHL or AHL are (to compare to KHL)? no way

Hate much? Relax. Don't talk sh * t about the CHL.

 

[vorky]

guys relax... yes, CHL and AHL are crappy leagues when you compare them to KHL. Kucherov has a great chance to play in KHL next season. Why should he go to NA? to play in juniors? to play in AHL which is not so good as KHL? That makes no sense for me

 

[pouskin74*]

Wouldn't you be pissed if one of your best prospects could possibly go to NA(if you ran the khl), just because of the U18, when he was basically their best kept secret before.(Wasn't even top 5 in 2011 russian prospects before this tournament)there was a possibility of him not even being drafted whatsoever before.

he wasnt Top 5 in minds of NA scouts but in reality he is very well known in Russia. he was one of the best if not the best in MHL among players from agegroup 93

 

[pouskin74*]

in my opinion Kucherov will follow Tarasenko, Kuznetsov´s example.. he will stay in KHL at least when he is 24. He belongs to great organisation, to CSKA, he played KHL this season, he will play KHL next season for sure. Why should he go to NA to play in crappy leagues like CHL or AHL are (to compare to KHL)? no way

its a best league for juniors, at least right now