Maple Leafs Return Kondratiev To Lada Togliatti
(December 16, 2003) - TORONTO -- John Ferguson, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs announced Tuesday that the team has returned defenceman Maxim Kondratiev to Lada Togliatti of the Russian Hockey League.
Kondratiev had been with the American Hockey League's St. John's Maple Leafs, where he had recorded eight points on three goals and five assists with 10 penalty minutes in 18 games. He was second on St. John's with a plus/minus rating of plus-four.
Kondratiev, 20, began the season in Toronto, playing seven games with no points and two penalty minutes before being assigned to St. John's October 28.
He was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs with their seventh choice, 168th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft and was signed to an entry level contract on July 1, 2003. Kondratiev also collected two assists in five NHL preseason games after attending Maple Leaf training camp in Sweden.
Should put an end to SLUGGO's STEEN to the AHL theory as Leafs are now sending players the other way
How the hell do you figure one is ANYTHING like the other? Kondratiev is a guy who speaks almost no english and the language barrier was a big problem (what Sheeden said on Leafs Lunch) and a D-man, a position that the St. Johns Leafs are over stacked in. Steen is a foward who can score (something they NEED), can speak english already, and would be coming over to play with the Toronto Leafs anyway. Sending Kondratiev back for now makes sense, as does bringing over Steen next year.
Should put an end to SLUGGO's STEEN to the AHL theory as Leafs are now sending players the other way
How the hell do you figure one is ANYTHING like the other? Kondratiev is a guy who speaks almost no english and the language barrier was a big problem (what Sheeden said on Leafs Lunch) and a D-man, a position that the St. Johns Leafs are over stacked in. Steen is a foward who can score (something they NEED), can speak english already, and would be coming over to play with the Toronto Leafs anyway. Sending Kondratiev back for now makes sense, as does bringing over Steen next year.
Did Shedden also mention that it was Max choice to go home...
That interview was like a week or two ago, and it doesn't matter if its his choice or not, it makes sense right now. If the Leafs were totally opposed to him leaving they could have gotten him to stay, but its not a big deal right now. His situation and Steens are completely different, and whether it was Kondratievs decision or the Leafs doesn't make them any more the same or different.
That interview was like a week or two ago, and it doesn't matter if its his choice or not, it makes sense right now. If the Leafs were totally opposed to him leaving they could have gotten him to stay, but its not a big deal right now. His situation and Steens are completely different, and whether it was Kondratievs decision or the Leafs doesn't make them any more the same or different.
You are the only one who wants Steen to play in the AHL...
Even Steen himself has said he will continue to play and develop in the SEL until he is ready for the NHL...
If its Kondratievs choice to play at home...Why not Steen's???
Both have contracts with European teams and seem happy to be there..
I know that a few prospects have chosen to go home after coming over, but the question is how many actually come back?
Fedor Tutin (NYR) went home last year, did he come back?
I know that there were too many defensive prospects playing in St. Johns and he will get quality ice time in Russia, but how will this affect his relationship with the team?
Even Steen himself has said he will continue to play and develop in the SEL until he is ready for the NHL...
Ya, and the Leafs can change that. You've never been able to give me one negative to him coming to the AHL. What would be bad? Playing with future teammates? Playing the NA style and on the NA rink? Living away from home a year before he "has" too? Or the fact that it would mean the Leafs could use him if the lockout ends half-way into the season? Which one of those outcomes is the negative one?
If its Kondratievs choice to play at home...Why not Steen's???
He has it in his contract, the Leafs may not (and I don't think they will because they'd want to use him if half a season is played) give him the same clause. Tellqvist doesn't have that clause.
If its Kondratievs choice to play at home...Why not Steen's???
He has it in his contract, the Leafs may not (and I don't think they will because they'd want to use him if half a season is played) give him the same clause. Tellqvist doesn't have that clause.
That is the usually clause the Euro's have in their contracts that they can bolt(escape) for the NHL if given a chance to get out of their Euro contracts, but most are required to return to honour the contract instead of play in a different league.. Steen signed a additional 2 year contract at the beginning of the Season with Frolunda and UNLESS HE MAKES the Leafs he has to play in the SEL league..
Doesn't matter what you want...thats the facts...plain and simple..
Why bother playing in the AHL when there is really nothing to learn there that he can't learn at home.
He can get bigger and stronger just as well at home, and he's just a kid with no where to go here.
This makes it easier for everyone, Shedden, Leafs, Max, Lada.
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Woodlief
using his big frame to create space and his skating ability to find open lanes to drive the net. He stands 6-3 and is a natural goal scorer with plenty of confidence.
He's a scout's dream in the way he prepares himself and plays an unselfish game, making smart decisions with the puck. With his bloodlines, he certainly understands what it will take to make it at the next level.
Why bother playing in the AHL when there is really nothing to learn there that he can't learn at home.
He can get bigger and stronger just as well at home, and he's just a kid with no where to go here.
This makes it easier for everyone, Shedden, Leafs, Max, Lada.
Agree...just one additional comment that I would like to add in that Bill Waters and Leaf management look a bit silly signing every Dman they ever drafted to a contract last off season in hopes that 1 would turn out okay...Now Max is going to Russia to eleveate a logjam in St. Johns..David Turon was sent packing to the ECHL...Ian White back to Junior ...Pierre Hedin sits games as do other Dmen in St Johns..,Ric Jackman floating on conditioning stints between St. Johns and NHL..when the player that now has the spot is Karel Pilar who they had all along, but almost wrote off...
Agree...just one additional comment that I would like to add in that Bill Waters and Leaf management look a bit silly signing every Dman they ever drafted to a contract last off season in hopes that 1 would turn out okay...Now Max is going to Russia to eleveate a logjam in St. Johns..David Turon was sent packing to the ECHL...Ian White back to Junior ...Pierre Hedin sits games as do other Dmen in St Johns..,Ric Jackman floating on conditioning stints between St. Johns and NHL..when the player that now has the spot is Karel Pilar who they had all along, but almost wrote off...
That is pretty insightful, as I would expect from you. But who knew?
Pilar could just as easily be sitting on his mom's couch right now. Hedin had to come across - it was now or never. And Jackman was a wildcard given his lifestyle changes. Plus, Ian White is best off in junior right now, and although Turon was sent to the ECHL, I don't necessarily think that is a negative.
I agree that Kondriatev is best off in Russia right now. He has a distinct flavour now of what is awaiting him next year or the year after in North America. Hopefully, he hires an english tutor in Russia, and comes back mentally ready.
If let him languish with the culture shock issues in St. Johns they seriously could have damaged his confidence permanently.
The Maple Leafs yesterday announced that highly touted defenceman Maxim Kondratiev had been returned to Lada Togliatta of the Russian Hockey League.
Kondratiev, 20, began the season with the Leafs, recording zero points and two penalty minutes before being assigned to St. John's on Oct. 28. He had three goals and five assists in 18 games with the Baby Leafs.
The decision to head overseas was made by Kondratiev, who had the power to do so because of a clause in his contract.
"We knew this might happen, so it's not surprising," Leafs general manager John Ferguson said.
"We're pleased that Maxim had the opportunity to experience a full training camp, plus stints in the NHL and AHL. He definitely has a bright future ahead of him with this organization."
Ferguson added the wording in Kondratiev's contract allows the promising blue liner to return to North America this season, given the proper circumstances.
Comments:
First it sounds like Max made the decision without Toronto's blessing based on the wording of Fergy in the article..but that Toronto is not disappointed by it, or is not telling..
and
that he has a (SANTA) clause in his contract that will allow him to return this year if Leafs need him...can we say PLAYOFFS...
Hope he won't be sitting in the stands with other Leaf pick Volkov in Lada. Think you've seen the last of Max some people never adjust to another culture.
Hope he won't be sitting in the stands with other Leaf pick Volkov in Lada. Think you've seen the last of Max some people never adjust to another culture.
This streak by the Leafs must be eating you up inside eh Joe?
I say good for both mad max and steen. If they are comfy back home... why the hell not? Let them mature a little more.... develop their skills then come over. No need to rush our best prospects!
This streak by the Leafs must be eating you up inside eh Joe?
Not at all I'm enjoying it as much as you are, lets face it when your team is winning the world seems a little better. Hope they don't use up all these wins and lose in the 1st rd of the playoffs hopefully they can finish is the top three and not have to face Philly, NJ or Ott. Because with our elderly roster we shall surely be under manned.
But I can dream for a healthy Roberts and Nolan come playoff time.
I can't say as I'm altogether surprised...
The language barrier as apparently been a huge issue for Kondratiev, and he hasn't adjusted at all well to North American sized arenas IMHO.
It also serves to reduce some of the tremendous backlog of defencemen in St. Johns.
I do hope this wasnt completely due to Kondratiev's desire to go home however, or it could prove ill towards his future as an NHL'er with Toronto.
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