kovalev worked in ny
- WayneY

He worked in 94 but he never played to full potential in NY especially after came back from being a star in Pittsburgh

Yakupov may be great but he's not playing well in Edmonton and bringing him into a pressure situation isn't going to turn it around

Mark my words, in three years, if not sooner, he will be one of the Top 10 players in the league. He is not some shrinking violet. I saw that kid absolutely dominate the OHL, and he is way tougher than he's given credit for. He is not the biggest guy, but he doesn't back down from anyone.

IMO, he will ultimately be the best of all of those young guns currently up in Edmonton.

But, we shall see, because the proof will ultimately be in the pudding one way or the other.
- Pete V

The thing with him right now was a comment he made about only liking to shoot the puck and not wanting to forecheck and do the other work required on the ice. It made him sound lazy, etc. Of course with Russian being his first language, it's quite possible he didn't mean it the way it came out.

He worked in 94 but he never played to full potential in NY especially after came back from being a star in Pittsburgh

Yakupov may be great but he's not playing well in Edmonton and bringing him into a pressure situation isn't going to turn it around
- cranford93

you never know, sometimes players thrive in that environment

kovalev worked in ny
- WayneY

No he didn't, that's why he was traded, twice.

He worked in 94 but he never played to full potential in NY especially after came back from being a star in Pittsburgh

Yakupov may be great but he's not playing well in Edmonton and bringing him into a pressure situation isn't going to turn it around
- cranford93

You make it out like he's 25 and had a few chances. He's basically a prospect at this point and we should go after him if there is an opportunity to. He's physical, like Ovi. Just needs to learn the defensive side of the game. We need to strike while we can.

No he didn't, that's why he was traded, twice.
- tomburton99

Yeah, but they don't have a Cup without him. That is the plain and simple truth. The 1994 team would have died in the swamp in Game 6 of the WCF if Kovalev weren't there.

Yeah, but they don't have a Cup without him. That is the plain and simple truth. The 1994 team would have died in the swamp in Game 6 of the WCF if Kovalev weren't there.
- Pete V

This is true plus he played with Mario in Pitt hence his great years there. Anyone remember Rob Brown???????

He worked in 94 but he never played to full potential in NY especially after came back from being a star in Pittsburgh

Yakupov may be great but he's not playing well in Edmonton and bringing him into a pressure situation isn't going to turn it around
- cranford93

Hes not being given the chance to shine in edm because of their crazy top-heavy forwards. Hes buried on the 3rd line with scrubs and would probably flourish in a top 6 role here.

That being said, I think it takes staal + kreider + 1st and thats a steep price.

This is true plus he played with Mario in Pitt hence his great years there. Anyone remember Rob Brown???????

- DONMURDOCH14

I don't really disagree with the criticism of Kovalev. I think it is for the most part true. But, the Rangers have won one Cup in the last 72 years, and they wouldn't have won it without him. So, as far as I am concerned, I would have been a fan of that guy forever, even if he never scored another goal for the Rangers after 1994. Not to mention, Sergei Zubov was the point leaders for the Rangers, another Russian. Can't forget the Sarge either.

I don't really disagree with the criticism of Kovalev. I think it is for the most part true. But, the Rangers have won one Cup in the last 72 years, and they wouldn't have won it without him. So, as far as I am concerned, I would have been a fan of that guy forever, even if he never scored another goal for the Rangers after 1994. Not to mention, Sergei Zubov was the point leaders for the Rangers, another Russian. Can't forget the Sarge either.
- Pete V

Nemchinov was a key contributor on that club too. If I recall correctly, he was a pretty good defensive player, a solid third line guy. He had 49 points during the cup season and I know he had at least one 30-goal season. At the least he wasn't a "lazy Russian."

I don't really disagree with the criticism of Kovalev. I think it is for the most part true. But, the Rangers have won one Cup in the last 72 years, and they wouldn't have won it without him. So, as far as I am concerned, I would have been a fan of that guy forever, even if he never scored another goal for the Rangers after 1994. Not to mention, Sergei Zubov was the point leaders for the Rangers, another Russian. Can't forget the Sarge either.
- Pete V

Pavel Bure looked good in Rangers blue... not his best work with us but still did ok by me.

Pavel Bure looked good in Rangers blue... not his best work with us but still did ok by me.
- Iamnumber27

His knees were shot by the time he came to the Rangers, which was a real bummer.

Pavel Bure looked good in Rangers blue... not his best work with us but still did ok by me.
- Iamnumber27

Bure was nearly a goal-a-game with the Rangers. If only his damn knees held up....

This is true plus he played with Mario in Pitt hence his great years there. Anyone remember Rob Brown???????

- DONMURDOCH14

In his best season, Kovalev played with Straka ... Mario was retired when AK got there and even when he returned, I don't think he played too much with him. Not to mention that he was still a ppg player his first few years in MTL, and is one of three Russians to reach 1000 career points. Just took him too ling to put it all together.

Check who wikipedia lists as the caps owner

Check who wikipedia lists as the caps owner
- RAGSareDANGERus

In his best season, Kovalev played with Straka ... Mario was retired when AK got there and even when he returned, I don't think he played too much with him. Not to mention that he was still a ppg player his first few years in MTL, and is one of three Russians to reach 1000 career points. Just took him too ling to put it all together.
- JackBurton37

Mario, Jagr, Lang, Straka that team was stacked. 2000-2001 mario was not retired. He was there for 3 of the 5 years AK27 was there.

Yeah, but they don't have a Cup without him. That is the plain and simple truth. The 1994 team would have died in the swamp in Game 6 of the WCF if Kovalev weren't there.
- Pete V

He was phenomenal in that Series, I'll never forget the quick deak goal he scored on Mclean and sliding into the end boards

Here's Nail's new commercial

Mario, Jagr, Lang, Straka that team was stacked. 2000-2001 mario was not retired. He was there for 3 of the 5 years AK27 was there.
- DONMURDOCH14

Mario came back midway through that season, no?
Pitt was stacked and the Straka, Lang, AK line was great... All I was saying was that AK turned a corner from being a 50-60+ player to a 75+ pt player, and stayed at that level for several seasons before age/injury caught up to him.

Check who wikipedia lists as the caps owner
- RAGSareDANGERus

Unfortunately it was changed back. What was it?

Unfortunately it was changed back. What was it?
- mrhattrick27

Henrik Lundqvist

Unfortunately it was changed back. What was it?
- mrhattrick27

He is Zherdev because he's Russian?

Why don't we do this, when we list all of the floater Russians over the history of league, why don't we list all of the stars as well. Because right now, you can make an argument that three of the top 5 players in the world are Russian, and between them have won some very significant hardware in the league.
- Pete V

It annoys me that Russians get the cancer rap moniker.

For every Kovalchuk, there is a Datsyuk. As offbeat as Ovechkin is, there isn't another winger I would take over him currently.

Who is the second best center in the league? Malkin

It's very frustrating that the Don Cherry anti-Russian vibe is still prevailent around the league today.

- Iamnumber27

"The last three games, I would have to say that Lundqvist is my daddy."

-Alex Ovechkin