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Q&A? Mailbag? Yeah, I'm back with another edition of KHL insider mailbag - this time discussing literally everything hockey - I also ''man up'' and ask for your help so we can discuss the rigged KHL.
Why is german rubtsov struggling so much to adjust to the NA game? You think he flies the coup back to khl after year?
— 5 (@Giroux_Dangles) March 26, 2018
I don't think that German Rubtsov is struggling all that much to be honest. It's more about the expectations being too high. Yes - he was a 1st round pick but he is still 19 give him time. As for him going back home - not happening anytime soon.
How many years does Golyshev have left on his contract and do you see him re-upping for coming over to NA?
— Zach Schreiber (@SchreiberZ16) March 26, 2018
Golyshev has a contract in place in the KHL until the end of 2018/2019 season. As for him coming over to North-America. I don't think it's worth it for either him or the Islanders organization. I know that there are people who believe that he is a very legitimate prospect, but he is very inconsistent even in the KHL. Often has long periods of horrible performance, often is slow to begin the season or just falls off a cliff mid-season, and then just tears it up for a stretch that makes him look good on paper. So the thing is - If he can't be consistent in KHL, can he be consistent in NHL?
Do you see the KHL entering the @championshockey anytime soon?
— David Grant (@davidgknights) March 26, 2018
I might be short and a little harsh but - No. KHL hates the idea and I also believe that both of them working together would be terrible and just disrupt the season and even more affect already terrible travels for KHL teams.
Is the KHL rigged
— Derek Pie (@_Dpie) March 26, 2018
No, but it's being run in a very terrible manner - for those that have questions about this topic - please ask me ANYTHING in regards to this topic in the comment section or on twitter and I promise to properly address this once I know what needs to be explained.
Igor Shesterkin is under contract through next season with SKA, but with the Rangers rebuilding and Lundqvist struggling with injuries and inconsistency the last cpl years, do you think there is a chance that Shesterkin could exercise a buyout and split time with Hank next year?
— Kavan Young (@kavanyoungnews) March 26, 2018
If you would have asked me this a few months ago I would have said that absolutely not, however, things have changed. He now has an Olympic gold, is going for another Gagarin cup title, his coach seems to be sitting him more than playing him, although he is the clear starter of his KHL team. Igor Shestyorkin for me strikes a guy that has won everything there has to be won, so the next step should be signing with Rangers down the road, do I think it happens this off-season? Unlikely, but once his deal with SKA is done, he is 100% heading across the pond.
What kind of places could the KHL expand to in the next few years?
— Isaac McClelland (@imbackinpogform) March 26, 2018
UK is something that has stuck to the back of my mind through the years and I still believe that with KHL turning more European countries like Germany, Sweden and Italy could land their teams.
What is your opinion on the enforcement of the IIHF and NHL rules on faceoff violations in leagues around the world?
— Sam George (@SamGeorge42) March 26, 2018
Don't care because I really don't pay attention to things that people usually tend to complain about, unless I'm watching just for fun (Doesn't happen often).
In your opinion, who's the next Artemi Panarin/Evgeny Dadonov? Also, do you think there's a chance we'll ever really get to see Shipachyov back in America or did that dream died with Vegas?
— Samuà«l (@SimuelDamn) March 26, 2018
My mind wants to say Nikita Gusev whos rights belong to the Vegas Golden Knights, but with him being close friends with Vadim Shipachyov I am not really sure if he ever wants to be playing in Vegas. As for the question on Vadim - I really believe that he is done with the NHL.