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Russian Report: Get Over It |
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As a Canadian I understand that Russia as a topic is probably the last thing you want to hear about. Being a Canadian living in Russia I feel your pains and elations perhaps more acutely than others. Last year during the epic collapse I was in a bar wearing my Team Canada jersey proudly, only to be laughed out and down 350 rubbles. This year I got to be in my home to watch the horrific to almost glorified game transpire. Yet what has affected me most is the media. I’ve never been a fan of the media, ever since I was introduced to 24/7 American news channels which I often use as a source of comedy. They have the power to tell you what to think and how you ultimately remember an event. After the Canada/Russia game I read some highly unprofessional and frankly twisted “journalism.” People can harp on the Russians for being cocky and having no respect, but let’s face it, if these kids come into the game like all these arrogant bastards want them to with the idea that “This is Canada’s game, you’re lucky to even play against this great nation,” and blah, blah, blah, they would have lost. People need to realize that hockey is not Canada’s game, it is the game shared from the lowliest Latvian 4th liner to the greatest NHL superstar, a game that transcends borders/races/ethnicities. If a 16-19 year old wants to take a swim after scoring one of the biggest goals of his life against his greatest rival, let him. I had no problem with Brandon Gormley (One of the classiest and most respected players) do an ice drag fist pump after scoring, or Friberg’s Tiger Williams impression. If showing emotion is a crime then be a bloody robot, these are ordinary people that bleed like the rest of us, hell, these are kids, let them have some bloody fun in a game designed for...guess what? Fun. I’m tired of people basing all their opinions on a 15 second interview and I’m tired of the cliché “Oh well you know...we uh, didn’t skate as hard...and we uh, didn’t give 120%.”
End of rant. Let’s get on to some players.
Andrei Vasilevski : I talked about him a lot before the WJC and I think you guys know now why I love him. He’s still the best goalie in the MHL and will get Tolpar UFA into the playoffs. He was an absolute rock for Russia and even though he got pulled, he saved their butts in that game, make no mistake. For a 17 year old to come in and steal the starting job, then play like a seasoned veteran was fantastic. He was the best goalie in the tournament for me and I expect his draft status to go up big time.
Nikolai Prokhorkin : Probably an unfamiliar name to most, but he really got my attention when he was the last guy cut from team Russia. This is his draft year and the big winger is a lock in my mind to go in the early second. He is dominating the MHL and had a brief stint in the KHL. He’s 6’2 and 189 and loves to hit like a truck. I got to see live a great hit against Magnitogorsk where he sent Apalkov flying. Despite being on a stacked team and drawing 2nd line duties, he has 14 points in 7 games. This kind of production for a guy his age is very rare, especially added with his size. He might be the most talented Russian in the draft.
Anton Slepyshev : The guy I think every NHL team should be looking to burn a late first or early second on. He is a ferocious hard worker that can play both ends of the ice already. He became just the 5th 17 year old to score a goal in the KHL. He’s played 29 games and gotten himself a permanent place on Novokuznetsk. 4 goals and 6 points might not sound great, but he is their top penalty killer at 17 years old...amazing. I love the way he plays, reminds me a lot of Nikolai Kulemin. I still say he was snubbed due to age from Team Russia.
Zakhar Arzamastev : Played on the top pairing of Team Russia and showed what I have been saying for awhile, this guy is just solid and deserved to be drafted last year. He plays with Slepyshev for Novokuznetsk and similarly plays a big role on the PK. He blocks shots and can be slightly physical when he needs to. As many saw, he is extremely effective around the net and cutting players off. The two assists he got in my mind were just bonus, he doesn’t bring much offence.
Bogdan Yakimov : The 17 year old is considered by many a guy who can challenge for 1st round status next year. He is built like a truck already and has that physical maturity scouts love. He’s 6’4 and 201lbs. While he isn’t the most skilled, he provides great faceoff ability and amazing hand-eye in front of the net. He reminds me a lot of a Martin Hanzal or Tomas Holmstrom. He’ll have a bigger role next year for Reaktor Nizhnekamsk.
Nikita Nesterov : The top Russian defender and Lightning draft pick had a great WJC. He runs the PP so effectively with that amazing slap shot. Even on the bigger ice you can see the damage that will cause someday. He had 2 goals and 5 points in the tournament and was in my mind was a top-3 defender in the tournie. Love the mobility, love the poise, love the dirty game and chirping he does. I’m glad however that he didn’t throw his patented elbow to the face like he does in the MHL.
Nikita Kucherov : Lightning does strike twice. Kucherov is one of the most explosive talents in the MHL and had a very good WJC. He had amazing chemistry with former Moskva teammate and consensus top-3 pick Mikhail Grigorenko. His speed and mixture of amazing passing and shooting helped him be one of the best forwards. 7 points in 7 games for the 18 year old was very impressive. He will be competing for a championship with Moskva where he will be looked at for huge scoring.
As always, if you want me to follow somebody or have a question, don’t hesitate to ask.
Thanks for reading.
Follow me on Twitter @AdamFrenchReal
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