Why no Kamensky-Bykov-Khomotov line in NHL?

[SergeiMakarovStyle]

Why didnt any NHL clubs sign this line in NHL? This line dominated in canada cup 1987 and rendez vouz 1987.
Im sure they would make a huge impact if they played in the same line in NHL.

[cska78]

they were all drafted by Nordiques, only Bykov and Khomutov due to lack of size and for the sake of comfort chose to sign up in Swiss.

[Yakushev72]

Originally Posted by cska78

they were all drafted by Nordiques, only Bykov and Khomutov due to lack of size and for the sake of comfort chose to sign up in Swiss.

They proved that their skills matched any NHL players of their era, and they were tough guys for their size, but they realized that they would have been fish out of water in the mucking and grinding NHL style of game. Krutov was bigger and tough enough to play in the NHL, but I think the hostile fan reaction he received dissuaded him from pursuing his NHL career. In December 1989, CSKA beat Vancouver 6-0 in Vancouver while Krutov and Larionov were "rookies" with the Canucks. Every time Krutov's skates touched the ice, the fans booed him in unison. The Bykov line played for CSKA that night, and they saw and heard Krutov being crucified by the fans. I have no doubt that that affected their decision not to play in the NHL.

[SergeiMakarovStyle]

Originally Posted by Yakushev72

They proved that their skills matched any NHL players of their era, and they were tough guys for their size, but they realized that they would have been fish out of water in the mucking and grinding NHL style of game. Krutov was bigger and tough enough to play in the NHL, but I think the hostile fan reaction he received dissuaded him from pursuing his NHL career. In December 1989, CSKA beat Vancouver 6-0 in Vancouver while Krutov and Larionov were "rookies" with the Canucks. Every time Krutov's skates touched the ice, the fans booed him in unison. The Bykov line played for CSKA that night, and they saw and heard Krutov being crucified by the fans. I have no doubt that that affected their decision not to play in the NHL.

If that line played in NHL im sure they would do alot of damage. They were better than the #99 #66 line in 1987 in canada cup, imagine what they could do vs avarage nhl line.

[Yakushev72]

Originally Posted by SergeiMakarovStyle

If that line played in NHL im sure they would do alot of damage. They were better than the #99 #66 line in 1987 in canada cup, imagine what they could do vs avarage nhl line.

I totally agree! They were incredibly skilled, worked together like a fine watch, and they had an uncanny knack for avoiding heavy checks while aggressively pursuing the net.

[torero]

I understood that the main reason was Tikonov.

When the separation between Russia and the Western world disapeared, Tikonov recomended the hockey players to come to Switzerland. Which is what Bykov and Komoutov did.

They would be more available for the Russian team. Since NHL finishes in june-july.

They actually got great contracts with Fribourg Gotteron and stayed their until retirement.
They became legends here.

[Yakushev72]

Originally Posted by torero

I understood that the main reason was Tikonov.

When the separation between Russia and the Western world disapeared, Tikonov recomended the hockey players to come to Switzerland. Which is what Bykov and Komoutov did.

They would be more available for the Russian team. Since NHL finishes in june-july.

They actually got great contracts with Fribourg Gotteron and stayed their until retirement.
They became legends here.

I know they played for the Soviet National team in the 1990 World Championships, but it seems to me that Khomutov and Bykov didn't play for the national team after that. I'll try to look that up and tell you what I found.

[stv11]

I'm sure I remember them playing for the United team at the 92 Olympics and for Russia at the 93 WC.

[Yakushev72]

Originally Posted by stv11

I'm sure I remember them playing for the United team at the 92 Olympics and for Russia at the 93 WC.

You're right. I was going on memory, and I forgot about the '92 Olympics and the '93 World Championships. My bad!

[khlman]

Also, remember Kamensky was about 5 yrs younger than Bykov and Khomutov.

[Peter25]

Originally Posted by Yakushev72

I know they played for the Soviet National team in the 1990 World Championships, but it seems to me that Khomutov and Bykov didn't play for the national team after that. I'll try to look that up and tell you what I found.

Bykov and Khomutov played in the national team after 1990. They were part of the Olympic team in 1992 and the World Championships teams in 1993 and 1995.