Why do you think that? Dry free agent market? Or is there no limit on non RUS/BLR/KAZ players for foreigner slots?
It indicates that Supler has a big saying on signings. Nothing wrong with that, he simply prefers Czech-Slovak players (would not be surprised if Marcel Hossa will sign in Ukraine too). But yeah, indeed there's more value to be found in non-Russian market.
FWIW, Kolesnikov's recent tax declaration said he made 20m in 2011.
Though he is the most transparent Ukrainian millionaire in a long time, if this is what he's admitting to who knows what he has hidden. The team could be a good way to make some money disappear
after the year in CSKA i really don't like Supler...and all these signings are (with the exception of Obsut more or less) are pretty poor, Pilar is pure garbage.
after the year in CSKA i really don't like Supler...and all these signings are (with the exception of Obsut more or less) are pretty poor, Pilar is pure garbage.
no team game whatsoever, promised to push young guys but put them away in the MHL, overplayed rubish washed up players such as Butsaev and Pronin, had a good roster and did absolutely nothing with it.
you did....I mean there were other reasons why CSKA is failing lately (mostely $$ and turmoil in the management and ownership), but I can't believe this guy is getting job after job in the KHL...
no team game whatsoever, promised to push young guys but put them away in the MHL, overplayed rubish washed up players such as Butsaev and Pronin, had a good roster and did absolutely nothing with it.
but why did they remove Kulikov? I mean, he won them a championship, then did very well in the VHL. Was there really a reason not to hang on to him and give him a chance?
but why did they remove Kulikov? I mean, he won them a championship, then did very well in the VHL. Was there really a reason not to hang on to him and give him a chance?
Kulikov should have wont the VHL by a landslide with the roster he had - 1/2 or more were KHL guys.
(these 7 + the rest who they didn't delete off their website roster)
Hardly anyone of those 25 will stay on or have any real playing time (unless they are one of those 5 local players). Kolesnikovs pipe dream of creating a first line of Semin, Poni and Fedotenko indicates, that transfer dealings are hardly over. It's only May.
the current 6 Ukes are: Liutkevych, Isayenko, Donika, Materukhin, Shafarenko, Varlamov
Outside of Varlamov can any of the other Ukrainians play at the KHL level and have any success? It says on Eliteprospects that Isayenko was the captain of Donbass and Liutkevych and Shafarenko have spent some time in the KHL with Minsk, but can these guys really expect to compete or is the team just holding on to them for the KHL roster incase Ponikarovsky and Fedotenko stay in the NHL?
Isayenko - young, was captain of the team when it was in the Ukrainian league, and then shortly captain to start the VHL season before getting sent down to Donbass-2 and replaced by Varlamov. Young, leadership...I think they'll keep him
(edit: he likely wont be good enough for the KHL, but he's young enough that maybe they'll give him a shot. Plan B would be to just let him stay with Donbas-2)
Varlamov - has played in the K, is the captain, one of the best players on the team in the VHL, he stays
Materukhin - Just won the FHU's Player of the Year award. Played well in the VHL.
I think Liutkevych and Donika are the odd men out. Shafarenko is a wildcard depending on if they sign any other Ukrainians this offseason, but if not and Isayenko is sent down, he'll be on for sure.
Isayenko - young, was captain of the team when it was in the Ukrainian league, and then shortly captain to start the VHL season before getting sent down to Donbass-2 and replaced by Varlamov. Young, leadership...I think they'll keep him
Varlamov - has played in the K, is the captain, one of the best players on the team in the VHL, he stays
Materukhin - Just won the FHU's Player of the Year award. Played well in the VHL.
I think Liutkevych and Donika are the odd men out and Shafarenko is a wildcard depending on if they sign any other Ukrainians this offseason
Thanks for the insight. Looks like Isayenko is really the only guy who will be there long-term though as he's the only one south of 30. I'm interested to know more about him. What kind of game does he play? Is he a future bottom 6/depth player or does he have top 6 KHL potential?
Also, I saw that Kasyanchuk signed in the KHL. Why didn't Donbass go hard after him? He could have easily been one of the 5 Ukrainians that they need for their team, but instead signed in Moscow. I get the impression that Donetsk and Kiev are rivals and the only thing I can think of is that he'd rather play in Kiev and is hoping they'll get a team in the future.
