Just saw this story from a Philadelphia news site on the NHL's "Russian problem" that quotes Flyers GM Paul Holmgren as saying the team is afraid to draft Russians and an agent explaining why that is:
“We’re afraid to take Russian players,” Holmgren said. “I don’t think we’re the only team, because they’re very hard to get signed. You just lose sight of them.”
That’s how a guy like Bobrovsky – who’s 8-2-1 with a 2.19 goals-against average for the Flyers this year – slips through the cracks. NHL teams – certainly not just the Flyers – are scared off from taking Russian players in the draft. And that’s because of several factors including the advent of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League and the lack of a transfer agreement between the NHL and KHL.
Absolutely not a late-bloomer. He has been tremendous for the last 3 or 4 years. He was unfortunate to play in that Russia-Canada game in Winnipeg in 2007 when Canada absolutely destroyed Russia with total domination. If it wasn't for him Russia would have lost 20:1, he was absolutely spectacular for the first half of the game and then just run out of steam.
Yeah - Bobrovsky did well for Metallurg Novokuznetsk for the past two seasons - breaking out 3 seasons ago. He did well on a pretty poor team, but then again, there are a number of good goalies in Russia, but it's tough to say who would adapt to the NHL and who would fail. It's really great that things are working out for him thus far.
I picked him up as a free agent for my fantasy team this year, he's killing it. Holmgren is right though, teams just don't want to spend a valuable draft pick, and never see the player again. Like the Canucks, my fav team, drafting Kirill Koltsov with a 2nd rounder and then watch him dangling in the KHL for the rest of his life.
It is becoming more common for Russians to verbally desire to play in NHL, AHL, and CHL which is great. As long as you don't do it in the manner of Kabanov...
I think Bobrovsky is the front runner for the Calder right now.
I picked him up as a free agent for my fantasy team this year, he's killing it. Holmgren is right though, teams just don't want to spend a valuable draft pick, and never see the player again. Like the Canucks, my fav team, drafting Kirill Koltsov with a 2nd rounder and then watch him dangling in the KHL for the rest of his life.
It is becoming more common for Russians to verbally desire to play in NHL, AHL, and CHL which is great. As long as you don't do it in the manner of Kabanov...
I think Bobrovsky is the front runner for the Calder right now.
Skinner is up there for the Calder as well, and don't discount Segen and Hall just yet. Koltsov came to NA and gave up after being sent down. Russian players get payed very well right now and while any athlet would want to compete against best of the best, there's too much at stake - riding a bus in the AHL or getting payed rookie salary vs. getting paid millions, while playing home vs somewhat weaker competition.
I'm not discounting anyone yet, imo Bobrovsky looks to be the favourite to win it at this point. Skinner is having a great year he's 2nd in the race right now imo.
I realize there is the money factor, KHL pays well for their guys to stay at home, but that's a risk you have to take if you want to make it to the NHL.
Bobrovsky went to NHL just in time. He signed with a team that has rather good defensive core but lacked a good goalie. He also signed the contract when he finished his development in KHL. If he went last year, he would have been in AHL right now.
Bobrovsky went to NHL just in time. He signed with a team that has rather good defensive core but lacked a good goalie. He also signed the contract when he finished his development in KHL. If he went last year, he would have been in AHL right now.
wasn't it you last year saying Bobrovskiy is not good at all and you consider Galimov more talented?
I'm not discounting anyone yet, imo Bobrovsky looks to be the favourite to win it at this point. Skinner is having a great year he's 2nd in the race right now imo.
I realize there is the money factor, KHL pays well for their guys to stay at home, but that's a risk you have to take if you want to make it to the NHL.
agreed, even though you one have to be very motivated to forfeit money now for possible less money and later. On the other side - even if you don't make the NHL but "brew" in NA your price-tag back home goes up.
