40#1Fan 0 Report post Posted July 30, 2009 http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hock..._with_khl_team/ from TSN, After a 16-year NHL career, Sergei Zubov is heading home as the 39-year old blueliner has signed with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted July 30, 2009 (edited) Old NHLers never die... they just fade away to the KHL. Always liked Zubov - felt he was an extremely underrated defenseman. Edited July 30, 2009 by egroen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted July 30, 2009 In a few years, there will be less than 10 Russians playing in the NHL. Zubov is certainly one of the best Russian defensemen ever. Obviously, Fetisov would be first, but Zubov might just be 2nd on that list. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted July 30, 2009 In a few years, there will be less than 10 Russians playing in the NHL. Zubov is certainly one of the best Russian defensemen ever. Obviously, Fetisov would be first, but Zubov might just be 2nd on that list. Valery Vasiliev was actually before Fetisov, but almost as impressive -- Played on 9 World Chamiponship and 2 Olympic Champion teams and was an 8-time Soviet All-Star. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted July 30, 2009 Valery Vasiliev was actually before Fetisov, but almost as impressive -- Played on 9 World Chamiponship and 2 Olympic Champion teams and was an 8-time Soviet All-Star. I said maybe 2nd best. Ragulin is another guy to consider who was a standout defenseman for the USSR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ilmickeyli 40 Report post Posted July 30, 2009 I'm from Kalamazoo... Got to see Zubov play tons at Wings Stadium when I was younger... He was pretty damn good! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted July 30, 2009 I said maybe 2nd best. Ragulin is another guy to consider who was a standout defenseman for the USSR. Tikhonov actually picked Sologubov to go along with Fetisov on his greatest All-time unit: Bobrov-Firsov-Kharlamov Fetisov-Sologubov Tretiak Guys that actually played in the NHL I would rate: Fetisov, Kasatonov, Konstantinov, Zubov, Gonchar Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest mindfly Report post Posted July 30, 2009 Zubov.... the 2nd best defenseman positionally after Lidstrom tbh... in the right place all the time.. always Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted July 30, 2009 Tikhonov actually picked Sologubov to go along with Fetisov on his greatest All-time unit: Bobrov-Firsov-Kharlamov Fetisov-Sologubov Tretiak Guys that actually played in the NHL I would rate: Fetisov, Kasatonov, Konstantinov, Zubov, Gonchar Weird all time unit that Tikhonov picked. I can't belive he didn't think Mikhailov should be on that top unit. And how could you not pick Bykov on your all time Russian NHL defensemen list? The guy carried Lidstrom to a Norris in 2003, singlehandedly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 This is a huge blow to the Stars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 This is a huge blow to the Stars. No kidding. And I'm getting tired of the KHL. Really fast. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 No kidding. And I'm getting tired of the KHL. Really fast. Yup. The KHL had decided to cite two cases where NHL teams signed marginal KHL players to contracts and are using that as a free ticket to poach NHL stars and emerging stars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yak19 303 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Zubov is worn out like an old catchers mitt, go play in Russia you pleb and make bank. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HenryMalredo 2 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 This is a huge blow to the Stars. The Stars didn't seem to be in any hurry to bring them back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 The Stars didn't seem to be in any hurry to bring them back. Not sure why-- be it contract disputes, a change in direction or some other reason, but the Stars were only playing elite hockey in 07-08 when Zubov was healthy. Remove Zubov and they're in big trouble. Look at their record when he's playing vs when he's injured- it's night and day. Honestly, the Stars are now in desperate need of a #1 defenseman who can QB the PP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RusDRW 155 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Honestly, the Stars are now in desperate need of a #1 defenseman who can QB the PP. Brian Rafalski? Of course, he won't waive his NMC.... just dreaming Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weGotTheCup89 41 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 I think this can be blamed on the cap, though the cap has achieved what the league wanted it to do. I don't think this is the players' faults, the NHL has been the world's premier league for hockey and players have had the ability to earn the most money playing here. However, now we cap teams salaries which in turn caps how much a player's earning power, and if they see another option that is just as viable or they can earn more money now, they're going to leave. This issue is starting to affect the NBA as well, and it seems like only a matter of time until an Evgeni Malkin goes to Russia or a Lebron James goes to Europe and the American leagues go into panic mode and actually make a legitimate bid to stop this from happening. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
puckloo39 5,686 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 my favorite Star and a really classy guy, beside being the second best D man in the NHL besides Nick, IMO. I will miss Zubie. He was honestly the main reason I bothered to watch the Stars. Best of luck to you, Sergei... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lidstrom for Norris 0 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 This is a huge blow to the Stars. Two words... Matt Niskanen. Hes much better than Zubov was when he first entered the league and hes much younger with a world of potential in front of him Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Drake_Marcus 890 Report post Posted July 31, 2009 Two words... Matt Niskanen. Hes much better than Zubov was when he first entered the league and hes much younger with a world of potential in front of him That's like using Jonathan Ericsson to counter Lidstrom's retirement. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
