Bill Meltzer: Star Gazing: Expectations for Nichushkin

Great read Bill. I have to say out of all the players in this draft Nichushkin really stood out to me. I think if everything goes well for him he could be the best player taken in this draft, and one of the best in the league.

With Seguin, Benn, and Nichushkin the future stars are bright.... see what I did there.... lol. Seriously though, they are making a case for me to start to follow them as my number 2 team. LA currently holds that honor for now...

Well said Bill. Nichuskin is definitely a potential elite talent. He will make his share of rookie mistakes and have growing pains but will also have his share of highlight reel plays. I am impressed by his willingness to adapt quickly to North America as he is living in the home of an American family with kids where is he is learning English and adapting to an American lifestyle. If he is ready for a top 6 role next year, then I will consider this a very successful rookie year.

I think that this year another prize rookie, Alex Chiasson, will have better stats than Nichuskin. Chiasson is a few years older and is a better rounded player at this point although I don't believe his ceiling is near as high as Nichuskin.

Great work as usual Bill, I was hoping you'd write a blog about Nishkushin. I really hope Bo Horvat turns out to be a solid player, because Nishkushin is the real deal IMO and it would really sting to know that the Canucks passed on him.

Thanks, guys.

Well said Bill. Nichuskin is definitely a potential elite talent. He will make his share of rookie mistakes and have growing pains but will also have his share of highlight reel plays. I am impressed by his willingness to adapt quickly to North America as he is living in the home of an American family with kids where is he is learning English and adapting to an American lifestyle. If he is ready for a top 6 role next year, then I will consider this a very successful rookie year.

I think that this year another prize rookie, Alex Chiasson, will have better stats than Nichuskin. Chiasson is a few years older and is a better rounded player at this point although I don't believe his ceiling is near as high as Nichuskin.
- jerryb

I miss Eakin.

Ribs did good for us one year, but he was never going to get re-signed here. I always liked Eakin and defended the kid from naysayers the year we kept him up. (Caps fans generally want to trade a rookie if he isn't producing immediately)

If he's playing with Horcoff, he's screwed. Poor guy.