Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Ice Scoopz: Wednesday Evening

*-> Dmitry Chesnokov has reported an interesting few quotes from Russian prospect Evgeni Kuznetsov tonight. Chesnokov is in my opinion the best authority in North America for anything KHL so normally I don't post Twitters unless it's the TSN crew and I've also I've read these rumors for quite some time in the European media. He twittered an interview with the "Kuz" who said he's going to sign a contract extension with Traktor soon as he'd rather play top minutes in the KHL instead of playing 3rd or 4th line minutes in the NHL or even in the AHL. He doesn't feel ready for the NHL. I reported similar comments last week with Kuznetsov and fellow Capitals prospect Dmitri Orlov so none of this really shocks me. Kuznetsov is going to stay in the KHL especially when there's going to be more money and more ice time now that the KHL is giving him a major push. This might further effect teams drafting Russians in the near future. One has to think the St. Louis Blues are now wondering about their prospect Vladimir Terrasenko.

*-> Marian Gaborik is in play many are reporting and the Los Angeles Kings would love to have him. The Rangers management are only listening to any offers at the moment it's said but IF the right deal could happen to come their way they'd look at it but equal offense and a bevy of picks would have to be provided in return.

3 comments:

Jalen said...

Scoopz,

I keep reading on your site that the Isles may trade Nabokov back to Detroit. I don't know where that's coming from, but it's extremely unlikely IMO.

The Isles are not free to trade Nabokov, as he'd have to clear waivers again before he could be traded. It seems very unlikely to me, especially with all the goaltender needy teams out there, that a claim wouldn't be put in for him at his low contract price, even if just to keep Detroit from landing him.

Makes no sense and should be put to bed. I think someone who doesn't understand the process is fueling that nonsense.

- Jalen

Anonymous said...

More Russians showing up as bad draft picks due to their flight risk? Ooooh it hurts to be right all the time.

Even if no other team claims Nabokov, Detroit has a waiver right as well, correct? Why trade for something you can just take?

CA

Scoopz said...

I checked out the CBA to try and find more info on the Evgeni Nabokov situation and almost went blind trying to find something. I actually don't know how anybody could read through the entire 239 page document. I'm still waiting for "a Dummies Guide To The CBA" haha.

Jalen from what I understand Nabokov cannot return to any other team other than Detroit. Even if he was placed on waivers he'd have to agree and the only team who could make a claim is Detroit as with a trade. So the Isles only option thus far is to waive him to Detroit for free or trade him to Detroit for return both of which he'd have to agree to. To be honest I don't fully understand how Detroit could be the only destination possible after the first waiving in this scenario but TSN has reported this the case as has ESPN.

CA, your right about it being a potentially bad draft pick thats for sure but it also could pan out to be a potentially great draft pick as well. Recent history shows that you can still get a decent player at pick 26 so I would have waited a round before jumping on the "Kuz" but judging by Kuzetsov's WJ performance and by the Caps goodluck with Russians and the Ovechkin factor it was worth the risk. It's just more of a piss off because it's a Russian refusing to come over thats showing great potential rather than a North America player who busts but is willing to toil away in the minors.

It may be good for Kuznetsov though as I was reading Russian reports that his deal now may include a 2nd year opt out clause, plus he's now getting top line minutes on a weak Traktor team. Other Russian prospects are another story who end up playing 6 minutes of ice time a game overseas instead of developing.