Tarasenko gets his hat-trick goal to win it in OT for Sibir. As PocketNines says, a good game overall from him. He was poor in the lead up to the Barys goal that made it 3-3, but that is about the only down point.
Hat trick! Tarasenko with the GWG in OT on a feed from Lehtera. He was dangerous in OT on multiple shifts. He really knows how to cut to the slot and get quality shots. So far and away the best player on the ice, despite Bochenski also getting a hat trick. The best way I'd compare Tarasenko to what we currently see on the Blues is Perron's offensive dangle skill if he shot more. However, Tarasenko knows how to dish very well (especially when he draws coverage that lets other guys get open), but all things being equal he'll shoot. He's just a force in the offensive zone. Special player.
I wouldn't say he was poor on the tying goal. That goal was pretty soft, kind of a benign shot from the point. It wasn't like he gave the puck away or anything. His line was at the end of its shift but not especially scrambling. Just kind of a weak goal for the Sibir goalie to give up.
I thought so since I wasn't seeing his name on the camp rosters. But since Schwartz IS, and they were drafted in the same year, I got a little confused. I'm guessing the cut-off date for ages for the WJC and the cut-off date for the draft are different?
I'm curious if the Blues will give Lehtera a shot this coming season.
I've heard a lot of reports that he is a little soft and doesn't play defense, but every time I watch Sibir highlights he looks fantastically skilled. Maybe a poor comparison, but Semin is real soft and doesnt play any defense but it would be a nice luxury to have a player who can score 40 if he wants to. I don't want Semin for those reasons, but you cant deny his skill level and the Blues could use another offensive threat. It would also be great to have him as the 3rd line center next year with Tarasenko on his wing, they obviously have proven chemistry with one another, and would make the transistion a little easier to north America.
Just some thoughts, any insight would be appreciated.
I'm curious if the Blues will give Lehtera a shot this coming season.
I've heard a lot of reports that he is a little soft and doesn't play defense, but every time I watch Sibir highlights he looks fantastically skilled. Maybe a poor comparison, but Semin is real soft and doesnt play any defense but it would be a nice luxury to have a player who can score 40 if he wants to. I don't want Semin for those reasons, but you cant deny his skill level and the Blues could use another offensive threat. It would also be great to have him as the 3rd line center next year with Tarasenko on his wing, they obviously have proven chemistry with one another, and would make the transistion a little easier to north America.
Just some thoughts, any insight would be appreciated.
He's definitely skilled and is good on faceoffs. The dealbreaker would be his skating. I think he'd be really exposed in the NHL. It was painful to watch him try to get up to speed. His only chance of making the NHL is to get faster.
I don't see how they couldn't at least give Lehtera a very hard look next off-season. He's excelled at just about every level of competition besides the NHL. Heck I'm pretty sure he'd be leading the KHL in points right now if he didn't get injured for a while there. If speed is a problem then that is something players can always work on...Nothing a strong off-season regimen can't fix. I'd love to see a Perron-Lehtera-Tarasenko line. Perron and Enlund are very similar IMO, and I think that line could wreak havoc on the opposition. It would be like they never left Russia.
I don't see how they couldn't at least give Lehtera a very hard look next off-season. He's excelled at just about every level of competition besides the NHL. Heck I'm pretty sure he'd be leading the KHL in points right now if he didn't get injured for a while there. If speed is a problem then that is something players can always work on...Nothing a strong off-season regimen can't fix. I'd love to see a Perron-Lehtera-Tarasenko line. Perron and Enlund are very similar IMO, and I think that line could wreak havoc on the opposition. It would be like they never left Russia.
Remember how Cheechoo did a ton of training this past summer to try to increase his speed and he's still slow as molasses? There are some things players can work on to improve speed but each guy has their limit. I don't know enough about Lehtera to know if additional training would significantly help his skating speed or not but if not, I agree that he's going to have a tough time in the NHL, especially at center.
I'd like to see what he can do though. The problem will be getting him over. He's probably not going to come over unless he's given an almost guarantee that he'll be in STL and not Peoria...or at least an agreement that if he doesn't make the Blues that he'll be loaned back to a KHL team (in a deal that's set up ahead of time). The problem with that is that since the NHL season starts a full month after the Euro seasons, Lehtera would have to give up a significant portion of the KHL season just to try to make the NHL. That month difference isn't something that's talked about a whole lot but IMO, I think it plays a somewhat significant part in players not at least trying out their chance at making the NHL sometimes.
It'll be very interesting to see what the Blues forwards look like next season. The Blues have 10 top 9 forwards right now, 11 counting McDonald, and then add in potential guys like Tarasenko, Lehtera, Schwartz, etc. Obviously some guys will either be traded, not re-signed or won't come over (or might not turn pro in Schwartz's case) but there are a lot of variables...AND a lot of talent!
Remember how Cheechoo did a ton of training this past summer to try to increase his speed and he's still slow as molasses? There are some things players can work on to improve speed but each guy has their limit. I don't know enough about Lehtera to know if additional training would significantly help his skating speed or not but if not, I agree that he's going to have a tough time in the NHL, especially at center.
I'd like to see what he can do though. The problem will be getting him over. He's probably not going to come over unless he's given an almost guarantee that he'll be in STL and not Peoria...or at least an agreement that if he doesn't make the Blues that he'll be loaned back to a KHL team (in a deal that's set up ahead of time). The problem with that is that since the NHL season starts a full month after the Euro seasons, Lehtera would have to give up a significant portion of the KHL season just to try to make the NHL. That month difference isn't something that's talked about a whole lot but IMO, I think it plays a somewhat significant part in players not at least trying out their chance at making the NHL sometimes.
It'll be very interesting to see what the Blues forwards look like next season. The Blues have 10 top 9 forwards right now, 11 counting McDonald, and then add in potential guys like Tarasenko, Lehtera, Schwartz, etc. Obviously some guys will either be traded, not re-signed or won't come over (or might not turn pro in Schwartz's case) but there are a lot of variables...AND a lot of talent!
Good point about the KHL season starting earlier. It definitely is a long-shot that Lehtera makes the jump, but I'm still hopeful. If I remember correctly, didn't Berglund also have some trouble adjusting to the speed of the NHL as well? I don't think Cheechoo is very good example either...In his case, it's his knee problems holding him back. I see no reason why a young strong man like Lehtera couldn't at least add some speed to his game.
I don't think Cheechoo is very good example either...In his case, it's his knee problems holding him back. I see no reason why a young strong man like Lehtera couldn't at least add some speed to his game.
Yea, while I agree that Lehtera might not get any faster, Cheechoo is a terrible example. Dude had two sports hernias and significant knee problems.
Cheechoo isn't a good example, but Backes is. Backes was a terrible skater his first in his first 2 years and I thought he would become a Holmstrom type, as he had terrible acceleration, but now he is one of our better skaters and is able to skate by defenders, which makes him a huge threat on the PK. Players can improve their speed, but you don't really know which exact players will or by how much. Lehtera will get his chance if he wants to come over, just because of his talent and chemistry with Tarasenko. It has to make you wonder if that was the plan when Lehtera signed with Sibir. It definitely won't hurt his chances, that's for sure.
Perhaps Cheechoo was a poor example but my point is just that some guys have the ability to ramp up their skills with hard work and training while others are already maxed out and simply aren't all that good of skaters even with a lot of hard work and training and that I don't know which category Lehtera falls in. I wish him the best though. My gut tells me he won't be an NHLer but that's mostly based on the fact that I believe he won't be willing to put in the time needed in Peoria to round out his game and skating than him simply not having the skill/ability to be an NHLer. It would sure be nice for the Blues though if he does prove to be able to handle his own in the NHL - it would give them another piece to work with or at the least, a nice trade chip.
I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm doubtful that his skating will get much better. Despite that, I think his ability means that he could be a decent NHL player now. Problem is that, without improving his skating, his ability is worth far more in the KHL than the NHL.
I'd love to see him come over, but I'd imagine that the KHL money will be too good for him to turn down.
Remember how Cheechoo did a ton of training this past summer to try to increase his speed and he's still slow as molasses? There are some things players can work on to improve speed but each guy has their limit. I don't know enough about Lehtera to know if additional training would significantly help his skating speed or not but if not, I agree that he's going to have a tough time in the NHL, especially at center.
I'd like to see what he can do though. The problem will be getting him over. He's probably not going to come over unless he's given an almost guarantee that he'll be in STL and not Peoria...or at least an agreement that if he doesn't make the Blues that he'll be loaned back to a KHL team (in a deal that's set up ahead of time). The problem with that is that since the NHL season starts a full month after the Euro seasons, Lehtera would have to give up a significant portion of the KHL season just to try to make the NHL. That month difference isn't something that's talked about a whole lot but IMO, I think it plays a somewhat significant part in players not at least trying out their chance at making the NHL sometimes.
It'll be very interesting to see what the Blues forwards look like next season. The Blues have 10 top 9 forwards right now, 11 counting McDonald, and then add in potential guys like Tarasenko, Lehtera, Schwartz, etc. Obviously some guys will either be traded, not re-signed or won't come over (or might not turn pro in Schwartz's case) but there are a lot of variables...AND a lot of talent!
I'm shocked that YOU, of all people, would use Cheechoo as an example of why Lehterä might not improve his skating. He's had knee trouble from which he's never recovered. THAT, is basically why he'll probably never be a regular in The NHL again. Backes was fairly slow in straight-away skating, and terrible at acceleration. Now he is a very decent skater. HE is a much better example. Perhaps, using an able-bodied young relatively poor skater (for a scoring forward) would have been better (say...Peter Sejna).
Your points about the difference in season calendar's of The KHL and NHL, and fact that Lehterä will want to be lent back to his KHL team rather than play for Peoria, are much better reasons for why we can't expect him on The Blues next season.
I watched the Sibir game last night also. It was a poor game for Tarasenko, frankly. He kind of floated in his own zone near the blue line waiting for outlet passes. Never got many chances, didn't seem ever to be skating very hard. Had the one assist and in OT he was out there for the first 3+ min (coach called a timeout b/c Sibir went on the 4-on-3 PP). Everything was designed for Tarasenko to shoot on the PP but nothing happened.
As for the Lehtera debate, you guys who think he'll improve should simply watch one of his games and you'll realize the gulf between his speed and the speed of average NHL players. I don't know any other way to put it. Is it impossible? Nobody can say. But when you watch him lumber painfully from zone to zone you will see what we're talking about.
I'm shocked that YOU, of all people, would use Cheechoo as an example of why Lehterä might not improve his skating. He's had knee trouble from which he's never recovered. THAT, is basically why he'll probably never be a regular in The NHL again. Backes was fairly slow in straight-away skating, and terrible at acceleration. Now he is a very decent skater. HE is a much better example. Perhaps, using an able-bodied young relatively poor skater (for a scoring forward) would have been better (say...Peter Sejna).
Your points about the difference in season calendar's of The KHL and NHL, and fact that Lehterä will want to be lent back to his KHL team rather than play for Peoria, are much better reasons for why we can't expect him on The Blues next season.
For crying out loud, folks. Please focus on the point I'm making, not the particular player I used as an example. I've already admitted that Cheechoo perhaps wasn't the best example (even though he wasn't a good skater even before the knee and hernia problems).
Now everyone stop arguing with me or it'll be infractions for everyone!!
For crying out loud, folks. Please focus on the point I'm making, not the particular player I used as an example. I've already admitted that Cheechoo perhaps wasn't the best example (even though he wasn't a good skater even before the knee and hernia problems).
Now everyone stop arguing with me or it'll be infractions for everyone!!
Today Russia will play against Finland on First Channel Cup. And Tarasenko is in the roster. Match has just started. Live translation you can find here: http://onhockey.ru/
