Can we trade all 3 2nds for a first pretty soon? The 2 best? Worth it? I dunno love Hexy though, he has no fear. What a presence during interviews, you have no choice but to respect what he says about players and his plan for the team. So confident and knows what he wants to do. Go Flyers!!!!
Location: I'd do anything to get you humans out of my forest! Joined: 07.19.2015
Jun 24 @ 10:10 PM ET
Rubtsov, German LC – Team Russia U18 (MHL) – 6'0.5", 178
HockeyProspect.com Ranking: 16
As a 16yrs old Rubtsov had a secondary role at last year U18 Worlds and didn’t shine offensively, but this season he was put on center stage as the leader of Russian national team and was able to thrive in the bigger role. Unfortunately, to prevent the risk of testing positive to meldonium him and his teammates were prevented from taking part at this year event, but the fact he had already been able to impress on North American soil at the WJAC may help his case. Rubtsov improved in different areas this year, he has looked more dynamic in his skating and more comfortable on the powerplay, showing he can efficiently dictate the play with the man advantage as well. At this point, there aren’t many flaws left in his game. He is the kind of player who seems to be always around the puck. His sense for the game paired with the work ethic he shows on the ice allows him to be consistently involved in the play, no matter if his team has possession or not. The way he pursues the puck time after time is impressive and his relentless backchecking through the neutral zone is often successful, when he targets and chases the puck carrier he is usually able to catch-up and engage sooner or later. He is a workhorse with an active stick that he uses to disrupt opponents’ plays on a consistent basis in just about every area of the ice.
When his team has the puck, Rubtsov is always there to support his linemates and keep the play alive. He has the puck protection ability and the stickhandling to gain time and make plays. He can drive the net, play an up-tempo game with great intensity, or slow it down when he feels the need in the neutral zone or he looks for options in the offensive zone. He has very good hands and is a smart passer able to take advantage of his strong vision. His offensive numbers may not be overly impressive, but need to be put in the perspective of his all around work, he does the heavy lifting for his linemates making them better and plays a lot on the penalty kill as well.
German doesn’t possess blazing acceleration, but is a strong overall skater, with nice balance and a powerful motor that can generate good speed. He has a legit shot that he should probably use more. We would have liked to see him finish a bigger percentage of the scoring chances he had in our viewings, but that doesn’t seem enough not to consider him top-6 material. As a two-way center that projects to be relied in all situations he will probably need to improve in the faceoff circle, though. All in all, Rubtsov is a rare blend of skills, tenacity and hockey IQ, a prospect that has the likes of a terrific player in the making.
Quotable: “Loved his defensive game and work-ethic, but it took me half a year to be convinced on his offensive upside. Initially, I was very skeptical that he’d be anything more than just an o.k #3 center, though I would still have liked to have him on my team. The more I watched and the more I thought about it, I realized that he’s just a kid who gets it done against whatever opposition you put him up against. I have him as a #2 or a high-end 3# center now.” – HP Scout Nik Funa
Quotable: “It’s rare to see a 17 year old skilled center play such a mature, all around game. Rubtsov just drives puck possession for his team.“” – HP Scout Mik Portoni
Quotable: “Even Don Cherry will like the way this Russian prospect plays the game.” - HP Scout Mark Edwards
Rubtsov, German LC – Team Russia U18 (MHL) – 6'0.5", 178
HockeyProspect.com Ranking: 16
As a 16yrs old Rubtsov had a secondary role at last year U18 Worlds and didn’t shine offensively, but this season he was put on center stage as the leader of Russian national team and was able to thrive in the bigger role. Unfortunately, to prevent the risk of testing positive to meldonium him and his teammates were prevented from taking part at this year event, but the fact he had already been able to impress on North American soil at the WJAC may help his case. Rubtsov improved in different areas this year, he has looked more dynamic in his skating and more comfortable on the powerplay, showing he can efficiently dictate the play with the man advantage as well. At this point, there aren’t many flaws left in his game. He is the kind of player who seems to be always around the puck. His sense for the game paired with the work ethic he shows on the ice allows him to be consistently involved in the play, no matter if his team has possession or not. The way he pursues the puck time after time is impressive and his relentless backchecking through the neutral zone is often successful, when he targets and chases the puck carrier he is usually able to catch-up and engage sooner or later. He is a workhorse with an active stick that he uses to disrupt opponents’ plays on a consistent basis in just about every area of the ice.
When his team has the puck, Rubtsov is always there to support his linemates and keep the play alive. He has the puck protection ability and the stickhandling to gain time and make plays. He can drive the net, play an up-tempo game with great intensity, or slow it down when he feels the need in the neutral zone or he looks for options in the offensive zone. He has very good hands and is a smart passer able to take advantage of his strong vision. His offensive numbers may not be overly impressive, but need to be put in the perspective of his all around work, he does the heavy lifting for his linemates making them better and plays a lot on the penalty kill as well.
German doesn’t possess blazing acceleration, but is a strong overall skater, with nice balance and a powerful motor that can generate good speed. He has a legit shot that he should probably use more. We would have liked to see him finish a bigger percentage of the scoring chances he had in our viewings, but that doesn’t seem enough not to consider him top-6 material. As a two-way center that projects to be relied in all situations he will probably need to improve in the faceoff circle, though. All in all, Rubtsov is a rare blend of skills, tenacity and hockey IQ, a prospect that has the likes of a terrific player in the making.
Quotable: “Loved his defensive game and work-ethic, but it took me half a year to be convinced on his offensive upside. Initially, I was very skeptical that he’d be anything more than just an o.k #3 center, though I would still have liked to have him on my team. The more I watched and the more I thought about it, I realized that he’s just a kid who gets it done against whatever opposition you put him up against. I have him as a #2 or a high-end 3# center now.” – HP Scout Nik Funa
Quotable: “It’s rare to see a 17 year old skilled center play such a mature, all around
game. Rubtsov just drives puck possession for his team.“” – HP Scout Mik Portoni
Quotable: “Even Don Cherry will like the way this Russian prospect plays the game.” - HP Scout Mark Edwards - Mononoke
