Most Ready Russian Super League prospects

Islanders GM · Senior Member

Most Ready Russian Super League prospects

Islanders GM · Senior Member

Columbus-Matt has a guy from the list. I tried to get him via trade before the deadline but ran out of short-term assets to support his Cup run. smile

#3 Vitaly Atyushov
Team: Ottawa Senators
Position: d#3 Vitaly Atyushov
Team: Ottawa Senators
Position: defense
Age: 27 Size: 62 and 196lb
Drafted: 276th overall in 2002 (Ottawa Senators)
Immediate NHL Impact: top-4 defenseman.
Notes: The Ottawa Senators found a true gem when they selected Vitaly Atyushov with their ninth round pick of the 2002 entry draft. Atyushov is among the best defensemen in the RSL, impeccably reliable, isnt easily intimidated, and no slouch in terms of offensive production. In fact, Atyushov possesses a very good first pass and has a penchant for sending teammates on breakaways. Atyushovs well rounded and rather impressive abilities have made him a mainstay on Russias national team, and he once again represented Russia this season at the World Championships. While Atyushov has flown under the radar in North America, Ottawas scouts in attendance at the RSL finals where very impressed with Atyushovs dominant performance in helping Metallurg Magnitigorsk capture the championship, and expressed considerable interest in seeing Vitaly in a Senators uniform.

Islanders GM · Senior Member

Detroit of the BRHL2 has the rights to:

2 Sergei Mozyakin
Team: Columbus Blue Jackets
Position: wing
Age: 26 Size: 510 and 172lb
Drafted: 263rd overall in 2002 (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Immediate NHL Impact: top-6 scoring winger.
Notes: It as often said of many Russian prospects that they have all the talent in the world, but it is seldom actually true. Mozyakin is among the few that can truthfully be described by such and possesses a tantalizing array of skills such as excellent stickhandling, a good shot, and the ability to see teammates in good positions as though he has eyes in the back of his head. While Mozyakin only finished fifth in RSL scoring this season as opposed to winning the scoring title during the 2005-2006 season, he is without a doubt one of the most offensively gifted players in the RSL and can be described as a small version of Jaromir Jagr. However, despite all the offensive ability Mozyakin is by no means a liability on defense and often kills penalties. The only thing that would keep him from being a star in the NHL is his modest size.

#12 Alexei Emelin
Team: Montreal Canadiens
Position: defense
Age: 21 Size: 61 and 212lb
Drafted: 84th overall in 2004 (Montreal Canadiens)
Immediate NHL Impact: third pairing defenseman.
Notes: Emelin continued to develop and display his huge potential this season both in the RSL and at various tournaments for team Russia, including the World Championships. He has continued to play a very aggressive and physical style of defense, while considerably improving his discipline. While he could have probably played in the NHL next season, another year in the RSL should help him realize some of the offensive potential thatl he has only shown glimpses of at the senior level and cut back on his slight tendency to make boneheaded mistakes.

-- Edited by Islanders GM at 13:57, 2007-06-22

Islanders GM · Senior Member

NYR-Joe has

#8 Denis Grebeshkov
Team: Edmonton Oilers
Position: defense
Age: 23 Size: 61 and 205lb
Drafted: 18th overall in 2002 (Los Angeles Kings)
Immediate NHL Impact: second or third pairing defenseman
Notes: Grebeshkov spent three seasons in North America trying to get a permanent job in the NHL with both the Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders before returning to the RSL in order to fine tune his game. The experience did Grebeshkov good and he has come out of it playing with more confidence at both ends of the ice. While being primarily known as a talented puck moving defenseman, Grebs displayed a well rounded game on route to establishing himself as a premier RSL defenseman and representing Russia at the World Championships. He did, however, underutilize his decent size at both the club and international level as well as having some minor issues with consistency. Grebeshkov is slated to be joining the Oilers for next season and is capable of playing on the second pairing if he puts his mind to it, or could alternatively end up on the third pairing.

Islanders GM · Senior Member

Washington has

#13 Maxim Kondratiev
Team: Anaheim Ducks
Position: defense
Age: 24 Size: 61 and 192lb
Drafted: 168th overall in 2001 (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Immediate NHL Impact: third pairing defenseman.
Notes: After failing to earn a permanent spot on three NHL teams, Kondratiev returned to the RSL for the 2006-2007. His solid play in both the offensive and defensive zone made him one of the few players to represent the Russian national team at every senior international tournament this season, including the World Championships. Kondratievs considerable North American experience, including a thirty game stint with the New York Rangers and most recently a dominating performance of 14 points in 13 games for the Portland Pirates in the AHL playoffs should help him impress with the Anaheim Ducks who he is set to join next season.

Islanders GM · Senior Member

Carolina-Rick has

#14 Alexei Kaigorodov
Team: Phoenix Coyotes
Position: center
Age: 23 Size: 511 and 190lb
Drafted: 47th overall in 2002 (Ottawa Senators)
Immediate NHL Impact: second line center.
Notes: Kaigorodovs failure to secure a roster spot on the Ottawa Senators and subsequent return to the RSL this past season had a negative effect on his confidence and level of play. Upon rejoining Metallurg Magnitigorsk, Kaigorodov did not seem to be the same dynamic player who left for North America at the beginning of the season. As the season progressed and Kaigorodov got more games under his belt, his form improved considerably and peaked during the playoffs where Kaigorodovs playmaking ability was imperative to Metallurg Maginitigosrk capturing the championships. At this point it is uncertain if Kaigiorodov will be joining the Phoenix Coyotes, to whom he was traded, for next season.

Islanders GM · Senior Member

Dallas-Ryan has

#17 Timofei Shishkanov
Team: St. Louis Blues
Position: left wing
Age: 24 Size: 62 and 216lb
Drafted: 33rd overall in 2001 (Nashville Predators)
Immediate NHL Impact: bottom-6 winger.
Notes: Shishkanov returned to the RSL this season despite there seeming to be a good chance of him making the St. Louis Blues, and did not necessarily make a mistake. While Shishkanov had a statistically unimpressive season the game he displayed on the ice was, on the contrary, rather impressive. Sishkanov improved his overall game and is very strong on the puck and shifty in traffic while being very good defensively. While he may not become the offensive player he was once slated to be, he would look very good on the Blues third or fourth line.

Islanders GM · Senior Member

Florida-Kent has

#18 - Evgeny Artyukhin
Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
Position: wing
Age: 24 Size: 65 and 251lb
Drafted: 94th overall in 2001 (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Immediate NHL Impact: bottom-6 winger.
Notes: A dispute with the management of the Tampa Bay Lightening as to how much he was worth and a desire to broaden his skill game brought Artyukhin back to the RSL this season. He experienced a rough start as RSL referees were unsure of what to do with a player of his size and often called penalties on him that would probably not have been called had Artyukhin been smaller. Consequently, Artyukhin finished second in RSL penalty minutes and also administered a high profile knee-on-knee hit to Finnish defenseman Jari Viuhkola, for which he was highly antagonized. Conversely, RSL defenseman also had trouble dealing with R2 and often had to resort to taking penalties in order to contain the big mans speed and strength on the puck. While Artyukhin did not find the offensive success he was seeking in Russia and lacks the hands to be a dominant offensive player, he does seem to be on the cusp of a major leap forward.

Sabres · Guru

yay. NYI is back!

Islanders GM · Senior Member

Sabres wrote:
yay. NYI is back!

Thanks Luke. Or is it Aaron? (Gonna split accounts?)

Your Sabres has the rights to one of the Honorable Mentions on the list: Igor Grigorenko (Detroit Red Wings)

Sabres · Guru

It's Luke. Ill try and start signing every post with Luke.

Yeah Grigs has pretty big upside IMO. If he ever gets back to where he was before the accdident which it sounds like he is.

He signed with Detriot a while ago so he should be a top 2 liner on the Wings next year.

Luke

-- Edited by Sabres at 15:06, 2007-06-22