CenterIce 83 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=300280 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 I don't understand why prospects want to go back to their homeland and spend even less time adapting to the North American game. Do they think that the ice is better in Russia, or what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 Perhaps not the ice, but most certainly the vodka. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 I don't understand why prospects want to go back to their homeland and spend even less time adapting to the North American game. Do they think that the ice is better in Russia, or what? KHL is the 2nd best league in the world, certainly a lot better than minor leagues in North America. You make it sound like in North America teams play dump and chase and in Russia the play puck possession only... The only difference at this point is the size of the rink and not the actual game. I bet it will do much more for Filatov's development to play in one of the top Russian clubs versus some minor team in North America... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
newfy 695 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 KHL is the 2nd best league in the world, certainly a lot better than minor leagues in North America. You make it sound like in North America teams play dump and chase and in Russia the play puck possession only... The only difference at this point is the size of the rink and not the actual game. I bet it will do much more for Filatov's development to play in one of the top Russian clubs versus some minor team in North America... If you think rink size is the only difference between the KHL and North AMerican leagues then you are sorely mistaken. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 The KHL is great in terms of skill and puck development. But usually these Russian prospects need to develop physcially and mentally. The benefits of playing in the AHL is it's practically a direct translation to the NHL game in terms of rinks, language, officiating, and physical play. Filatov for example needed to improve defensive zone coverage, board play, physical presence, and taking bad penalities. That was the only thing stopping him from playing top line minutes, and instead of going to the AHL to develop in these area's he chose to go back to something he is used to and playing on international ice will not help him play along the boards, the game is a lot more spread out(I'm not going to say it's less physical, but the proximity of NHL ice leads to a more physical type game), and a huge difference in officiating. I would not be happy if we had Tatar for example go and play in the KHL. Also the simple fact that he is no longer playing under our guidance directly. We have proven staff in the AHL that their job is to develop your game to you can succeed in NHL hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Ryan 1 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 You guys are only talking about the hockey, too. Anyone who's ever been to San Diego or Laguna Niguel and Russia will tell you there are more differences than hockey that favor America. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 KHL is the 2nd best league in the world, certainly a lot better than minor leagues in North America. You make it sound like in North America teams play dump and chase and in Russia the play puck possession only... The only difference at this point is the size of the rink and not the actual game. I bet it will do much more for Filatov's development to play in one of the top Russian clubs versus some minor team in North America... North American hockey is different than European and Russian hockey. If they want to adapt to the game, take your lumps and play in an inferior league to prepare yourself for the best league in the world. Perhaps they will do better skillwise, but at the same time skill doesn't always make you a great NHL player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 (edited) If you think rink size is the only difference between the KHL and North AMerican leagues then you are sorely mistaken. ahh interesting so Hank didn't play a day in the minors and went straight to NHl from Swedish leagues scoring 44 points and 22 goals his first season... KHL is a much more competitive league compared to Swedish leagues... Filatov is on of the top picks who needs to play at a higher level to grow... to claim that somehow minors is better than KHL is ridiculous... When Hank was drafted he was a nobody, but he developed in Sweden versus coming over to play in Minors... Russia picked up some from North America and North America picked up some stuff from Russia... Datsyuk also didn't play in minors and developed in KHL and when was drafted was a nobody... so basically 3 of the wings best forwards didn't play in minors and developed in European leagues? Hank, Datsyuk and Franzen didn't play in the minors... Edited November 29, 2009 by RedArmy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 North American hockey is different than European and Russian hockey. If they want to adapt to the game, take your lumps and play in an inferior league to prepare yourself for the best league in the world. Perhaps they will do better skillwise, but at the same time skill doesn't always make you a great NHL player. so 2 of the Wings best forwards, which are both Selke trophy winners or finalists, Datsyuk and Hank didn't play in minors were drafted as nobodies and developed in European leagues... considering how things worked out for those 2 and red wings organization and us as fans, I would say they did the right thing by staying in Europe until there was a spot for them on the team's roster... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 so 2 of the Wings best forwards, which are both Selke trophy winners or finalists, Datsyuk and Hank didn't play in minors were drafted as nobodies and developed in European leagues... considering how things worked out for those 2 and red wings organization and us as fans, I would say they did the right thing by staying in Europe until there was a spot for them on the team's roster... They were older, and not every soft premaddona Euro turns into Datsyuk/Zetterberg. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 They were older, and not every soft premaddona Euro turns into Datsyuk/Zetterberg. you are in danger of sounding like Don Cherry... that's the point they were older cause they decided to stay and develop in Europe, which is exactly what Filatov is doing.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 you are in danger of sounding like Don Cherry... that's the point they were older cause they decided to stay and develop in Europe, which is exactly what Filatov is doing.... Except Filatov was over here to begin with and displayed very poor work ethic and defensive zone attention. That's a major difference. And It's not exactly rocket science, Europeans are not as physical as North Americans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 so 2 of the Wings best forwards, which are both Selke trophy winners or finalists, Datsyuk and Hank didn't play in minors were drafted as nobodies and developed in European leagues... considering how things worked out for those 2 and red wings organization and us as fans, I would say they did the right thing by staying in Europe until there was a spot for them on the team's roster... Their defensive game was perfected when they started playing the North American game, so I don't see how that helps your case that the KHL is a better league to get ready for the NHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 Their defensive game was perfected when they started playing the North American game, so I don't see how that helps your case that the KHL is a better league to get ready for the NHL. so you are saying that they would have done better if they would have started out in the minors instead of developing in Europe??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Ryan 1 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 Except Filatov was over here to begin with and displayed very poor work ethic and defensive zone attention. That's a major difference. And It's not exactly rocket science, Europeans are not as physical as North Americans. Except for Vlad! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carman 387 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 Except for Vlad! There are always exceptions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 riiight and Fetisov was one soft player as well... right right Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 so you are saying that they would have done better if they would have started out in the minors instead of developing in Europe??? Did I ever say that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 Good riddance. Take your lumps or go home. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted November 29, 2009 Probably not, but does this have anything to do with salary? Or is it honestly just an effort to add to his game in an effort to come back stronger than ever and earn a full time spot? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedArmy 4 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 Did I ever say that? well that's the point. There such hate in this blog for anyone who is not willing to play in minors. As far as I am concerned KHL or Swedish leagues are just as good and I would argue KHL is way better than minors for player development because the league is more competitive... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lomekian 201 Report post Posted November 30, 2009 Typical North American Jingoistic nonsense. While undoubtedly the AHL provides a better transition in terms of language, phyisicality and officiating, for some players this is not what is most important. A 19/20 year old dats of zett would have struggled physically to cope with the AHL, so for them, and for others, it was more important for them to get high skill playing time while they physically developed. Some people mature physically and mentally at different rates, and it has to be judged on a case by case basis. Much like the guys who are 5'10" at 13 are dominant at sports at school and maybe 1st year of college, but lack the finesse to ever be great at whatever sport, end up mediocre, but their physical dominance hinders the opportunities of more skilled players who won't stop growing vertically (let alone physically) until they are 19/20. I for one was still growing at 19 and as a rsult was far less co-ordinated than i am now. I say if they are not ready (and particularly if high skill type players), l;et them develop in whatever is going to provide the best match for them in terms of opportunities for ice-time and standard of play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
