I just had to get this off my chest about Kuznetsov
See, there's this other site where people talk about the Kings ... and, well, they seem to think (or SOME people seem to think) that Maxim Kuznetsov is a piece of garbage. I have staunchly defended his acquisition since last season, and although I knew the jury was (and honestly, still is) out on the guy, I harken back to a time a few years ago, when Scotty Bowman was praising this kid up and down, and actually had him rated higher on the Detroit depth chart than Jiri Fischer (I know times have changed, but AT THE TIME...) So, I penned this little statement, and seeing as how the ratio of intelligent hockey fans to morons is a bit better over here, I thought I would throw it out there and have some "fodder for the cannon."
Discuss!
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I am more than happy to stand by my belief in Kuznetsov. He will have a place and a role on this team. He may make the occasional mistake (what NHL defenseman doesn't?), but you know, every time I watch a Panther game I see Andreas Lilja out there, taking charge and getting minutes... doing the job he's supposed to do. Kings fans were quick to jettison his a55 out of town, and Panther fans are pretty pleased with what they got. If the majority of Red Wing fans can be ambivalent at best about losing Kuznetsov, then let them be a little surprised to see him do a fine job in a Kings uniform. I know one Red Wings fan that will NOT be surprised if he succeeds, and his name is Scotty Bowman. I'll take his praise over a hockey BBS poster's disdain any day of the week!
I actually think Kuzentsov has looked decent thus far this year. There is still some rust but that is to be expected given he has been out for so long. Outside of that one play versus Berard, he has never really been blown away and seems to be make solid passes out of the zone. (and that through the legs pass makes up for the Berard play )
I want to see him play a lot meaner though if he is going to get consistent top-6 minutes.
I personnally think that he's okay and has played well so far in his two games, if he keeps playing smart hockey and use his size i think he'll be fine.
I never realized how HUGE Kuznetsov was. That was his very first game as a King at Staples Center... so I hadn't seen him play in a while. I think his size is a plus... once the rust is shaken off, I think he'll be a very valuable asset to the Kings down the stretch.
I thought that pass between his legs was very impressive, just as long as it doesn't cause a turnover though, but I think he was being pressured so he had pretty much no other choice and saw that Luc was open... it's kind of funny to see a d-man making pretty plays like that when they're not necessarily known for that type of thing... I think he surprised the coaches.
Last edited by LuckyLUC20: 11-30-2003 at 12:27 PM.
The guy has some defensive skils and certainly makes the defense bigger. I have seen some tougher play from him with some cross checks and a butt end or 2. He's really strong on his skates. He looks slow, but so does Chara. I'm gettin a good feeling about the guy. Most impressive: pinpoint passes to defensive partners that make the breakout easier.
I am cautiously optimistic. Cautiously. I think he has huge upside that has not been realized; he could be a bust or a diamond in the rough. A typical DT move.
I am cautiously optimistic. Cautiously. I think he has huge upside that has not been realized; he could be a bust or a diamond in the rough. A typical DT move.
i think that kuznetsov is an excellent candidate for the andy murray effect: a journeyman who has shown some promise but hasn't really been able to put it all together. last year it was armstrong, this year i think that it will be kuznetsov.
he's a pretty good looking guy, isn't he? i've only seen him a few times, but i have to say that he looks like hagrid's uglier younger bother.
i think that kuznetsov is an excellent candidate for the andy murray effect: a journeyman who has shown some promise but hasn't really been able to put it all together. last year it was armstrong, this year i think that it will be kuznetsov.
he's a pretty good looking guy, isn't he? i've only seen him a few times, but i have to say that he looks like hagrid's uglier younger bother.
not much of a journeyman, he's a 1st rounder and been playing with detroit. just that detroit has given up on him and now the kings have given him another chance. kinda wish it was another prospect, but obviously, management loves size (steckel, karlsson, etc).
so far i think people were talkin like he was a lot worse than what he really was. hope he can prove us all wrong
not much of a journeyman, he's a 1st rounder and been playing with detroit. just that detroit has given up on him and now the kings have given him another chance.
well i sort of figured that as a 26-year-old, having failed to play more than 60 games per year at the nhl level in four years, and having an organization like detroit move him, kuznetsov was at least knocking on the journeyman door.
in any case though, he's still looking like he might be late bloomer and put it all together. he could turn out to be incredibly good for this team.
does anyone else feel better about the schneider trade? i sure do.
Red Wings fan here. I always thought he had it in him. He just wasn't given a fair chance in Detroit, and because of his lack of experience, he would make rookie mistakes, or just look lost and out of place. Then, he would make a big mistake, and he would be benched or sent down. He was very under used, and they didn't give him he opportunity to develop well. I knew he had to get out of Detroit. All the fans gave up on him, and finally the team did in the Schneider trade. I guess that trade worked out in both ways. We got another great D-Man, who has played VERY well, and you guys got a raw defense "prospect" (Kuz) a gnat (avery) and two big picks. I hope Kuz pans out and silences his critics in Detroit. He always had a good pass, but over handeled the puck, and NEVER used his size (he is HUGE!!!) It seems like he is finally becoming what Detroit saw in that year's first round.
... and, well, they seem to think (or SOME people seem to think) that Maxim Kuznetsov is a piece of garbage. I have staunchly defended his acquisition since last season, and although I knew the jury was (and honestly, still is) out on the guy, I harken back to a time a few years ago, when Scotty Bowman was praising this kid up and down, and actually had him rated higher on the Detroit depth chart than Jiri Fischer (I know times have changed, but AT THE TIME...) So, I penned this little statement, and seeing as how the ratio of intelligent hockey fans to morons is a bit better over here, I thought I would throw it out there and have some "fodder for the cannon."
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