Tarasenko and Yakupov are leading the best league playing hockey in Goals per Game by a wide margin. Imagine what kind of attention these two young phenoms would be bringing to the NHL right now
Would it be better for him to stay in the KHL where he may be the best player or come to the NHL and be a solid second liner with the potential to be one of the best?
Would it be better for him to stay in the KHL where he may be the best player or come to the NHL and be a solid second liner with the potential to be one of the best?
He has been in the KHL for years. A shortened season would be the ideal time to make the jump. He gets a taste of the best competition without an 82 game grind.
I agree he should come to the NHL and play with the best. But it has to be tempting to know that you could stay and rule the KHL. Hopefully he understands that he will prgoress more by playing in the NHL.
I agree he should come to the NHL and play with the best. But it has to be tempting to know that you could stay and rule the KHL. Hopefully he understands that he will prgoress more by playing in the NHL.
Look out for the Blues if he comes back
Tarasenko has spoken with the Blues and confirmed he'll be back in St. Louis this week, his KHL agent has also confirmed it.
He's already said he's coming back. He should be in St. Louis on Friday. If he wanted to stay in Russia and be a bright star in the KHL, he certainly could. He's said multiple times that his dream is to play in the NHL, and there's a team and a city that would love to have him. It's not going to be rainbows and sunshine and him instantly averaging a point per game, there will be issues with culture change, rink size, play style, as well as language barriers, but he has his head on straight, and he's a hard worker so I don't expect too many transition issues. I remember he was confused when he was told by his agent that St. Louis was holding a press conference for his arrival. I think he will be pleasantly surprised by the ovation he receives when his name is announced for the first time at Scott Trade.
He's already said he's coming back. He should be in St. Louis on Friday. If he wanted to stay in Russia and be a bright star in the KHL, he certainly could. He's said multiple times that his dream is to play in the NHL, and there's a team and a city that would love to have him. It's not going to be rainbows and sunshine and him instantly averaging a point per game, there will be issues with culture change, rink size, play style, as well as language barriers, but he has his head on straight, and he's a hard worker so I don't expect too many transition issues. I remember he was confused when he was told by his agent that St. Louis was holding a press conference for his arrival. I think he will be pleasantly surprised by the ovation he receives when his name is announced for the first time at Scott Trade.
This. He's still a kid. I'm not sure he realizes how many people are excited for him to come play for the Blues.
If he plays with McDonald and Steen, as Hitchcock said he intends to try, I think this can actually happen. The kid is unreal.
He's talented, but this is his first year on North American ice, in a new country, with new teammates, new language, and a short training camp. I expect him to be around 20-30 points, picking it up towards the end and in the playoffs if the Blues make it. I just think he will need some time to adjust.
He is going to thrive in the Blues system. He fits their high energy style perfectly. I bet he and Oshie hit it off like two pees in a pod. He will learn how to play a 2 way game from some of the best in the league like Backes, Oshie, Steen, Berglund and Sobotka and from a great coach in Hitch.
He's talented, but this is his first year on North American ice, in a new country, with new teammates, new language, and a short training camp. I expect him to be around 20-30 points, picking it up towards the end and in the playoffs if the Blues make it. I just think he will need some time to adjust.
due to the short training camp he'll be atleast a step or two ahead of the league physically speaking. He's in mid-season game shape right now
He's already said he's coming back. He should be in St. Louis on Friday. If he wanted to stay in Russia and be a bright star in the KHL, he certainly could. He's said multiple times that his dream is to play in the NHL, and there's a team and a city that would love to have him. It's not going to be rainbows and sunshine and him instantly averaging a point per game, there will be issues with culture change, rink size, play style, as well as language barriers, but he has his head on straight, and he's a hard worker so I don't expect too many transition issues. I remember he was confused when he was told by his agent that St. Louis was holding a press conference for his arrival. I think he will be pleasantly surprised by the ovation he receives when his name is announced for the first time at Scott Trade.
I could not agree more, I think he will love it in STL.
He is going to thrive in the Blues system. He fits their high energy style perfectly. I bet he and Oshie hit it off like two pees in a pod. He will learn how to play a 2 way game from some of the best in the league like Backes, Oshie, Steen, Berglund and Sobotka and from a great coach in Hitch.
Something tells me he's going to end up playing with Berglund and they're going to do well together. Berglund has some untapped offense left and Tarasekno is just the player to get it out of him.
Something tells me he's going to end up playing with Berglund and they're going to do well together. Berglund has some untapped offense left and Tarasekno is just the player to get it out of him.
Hitchcock liked Steen as his center during the summer, but I do agree that I think him and Berglund would be good for each other. Bergy needs a winger who can push the play and Tarasenko needs a big center to create space for him and cover his ass in the defensive zone.
Hitchcock liked Steen as his center during the summer, but I do agree that I think him and Berglund would be good for each other. Bergy needs a winger who can push the play and Tarasenko needs a big center to create space for him and cover his ass in the defensive zone.
Yeah I agree. Could see Stewart McDonald or steen riding with that tandem and being effective
I think he is about as talented a forward st. Louis has had in a long time. That being said i dont know how he fits into Hitchcock's system. His system is greater than any 1 individual.
