Draft Value: Sergei Zubov Best Return On Investment For NHL Defensemen

Defensive Value Over Two Decades
Alvin Change NHL Draft Blog, ESPN June 10, 2010

Excerpt
1. Sergei Zubov, New York Rangers
1990, Round 5, No. 85 overall
Expected: 0.125 points per game
Actual: 0.722
Difference: 0.597

In the 1990 draft, only seven European players were taken in the first four rounds of the draft. In the fifth round, the floodgates opened with four Europeans in that round -- the first of which was Zubov. The Rangers took a chance on Zubov and fellow Soviet player Sergei Nemochinov, despite getting limited looks at them. After the draft, Rangers coach Roger Neilson told the Toronto Star, "I have never coached a Soviet player so I have no feeling either way about them. I don't see how they can be any different than Swedes or Czechs." For the next two years, the Rangers wouldn't get many chances to watch Zubov in Russia but, in 1992, he came over to North America. The following year, Zubov made it to the NHL to play for Neilson. But after less than 10 games, Neilson was fired. Of players drafted in the last 20 years, Zubov is No. 1 in scoring with 771 points. He played in the KHL last season.

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Evgeny Kuznetsov The Scouting Report's #16 Prospect For The 2010 NHL Entry Draft

The Scouting Report

#16. Evgeny Kuznetsov RW Traktor (KHL)

Date of Birth: May 19th, 1992
Height: 6.00
Weight: 174lbs.
Shoots: L
Season Statistics: Regular Season | 35GP 2G 7A 9P 10PIM
                  Playoffs | 4GP 1G 0A 1P 0PIM
TSR Midterm Rank: 17 | Position Rank: 11th Forwards
League Rank: 2nd KHL | Country Rank: 3rd Russia

Despite flying under the radar most of the year, generally the result of playing out of the North American sphere of influence, Kuznetsov has gradually proved that he is one of the most pure offensive talents available in this draft crop.

Kuznetsov has spent his development years working his way up the organizational chart with Traktor-Chelyabinsk, but made his first foray into the international spotlight last season. After a very impressive showing with the Russian U17 team, where he notched 6 goals and 10 points in only 5 tournament games, he was outstanding at the U18’s as an underager, where he managed 6 goals and 13 points in only 7 games played.

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Inside Kovalchuk's value, where he will sign as free-agent star

Dmitry Chesnokov Yahoo! Sports Puck Daddy June 5, 2010

There is no name entering this summer's free agency bigger than Ilya Kovalchuk.

Come to think of it, there has not been a player entering the free agency bigger than Ilya Kovalchuk in the "new" salary cap NHL. Some arguments may be made about players like Marian Hossa or Brian Campbell. But they are just not on the same level.

A few things will come into play when Kovalchuk makes his career choice this summer: He is looking for commitment, which means there will be no 1-year deals for a chance at the Cup. He wants the team he chooses to be a contender throughout his stay there. Compensation is also very important. And the city is important -- Kovalchuk has three children.

What about the money? How could he have turned down $100 million with the Atlanta Thrashers? And how much is he looking to get?

First of all, all that talk about the KHL is just lunacy. There is no chance he is going back to Russia, regardless of how many oil dollars they try to throw at him.

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For Devils, Kovalchuk Means Much More than Goals and Assists

The Devil's Advocate June 4, 2010

On the evening of February 4, GM Lou Lamoriello galvanized the fanbase and his slumping team behind the explosive Russian sniper Ilya Kovalchuk, the league’s most prolific scorer since 2004; and while Kovalchuk did not deliver the astronomical offensive production the Devils hoped for and needed, he did provide flashes of brilliance and a boatload of heart, something his teammates sorely lacked during their swift playoff exit.

Kovalchuk wasn’t flawless by any means, though. He frequently turned over the puck on the powerplay, and his insistence on skating through the entire opposing team was often met by pokechecks and groans from wide-open teammates. Yet his persistence and physicality was admirable, particularly considering the rest of the team looked nauseatingly indifferent. Kovalchuk’s ten goals were not enough to revitalize the Devils’ offense, but he was a point-per-game player in twenty seven regular season games and five playoff contests.

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Evgeny Kuznetsov International Scouting Service's #19 Prospect Overall For 2010 NHL Entry Draft

The International Scouting Services announced its final rankings for the upcoming 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

19. Evgeny Kuznetsov (KHL, Traktor Chelyabinsk)

Alexander Radulov Named KHL MVP of Regular Championship

The League's Finest
KHL May 26, 2010

The ballot for the most valuable player in the regular championship chose Salavat Yulaev attacker Alexander Radulov, and he receives the prestigious Golden Stick trophy.

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Draft Profile: Evgeny Kuznetsov

Chelyabinsk, KHL

Position: Center
Age: 18
Date of Birth: May 19, 1992
Place of Birth: Chelyabinsk, Russia
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 175
Shoots: Left

An offensive dynamo, Kuznetsov maybe the best skater from Russia in this year's draft. The 18 year old KHL blue chipper has wowed scouts with his extremely quick and soft hands. The Red Line Report went as far as to say that Kuznetsov, "Makes highlight reel plays and can kick in the after burners to leave d-men in his dust." The Scouting Report praised Kuznetsov stating the young Russian " ...has the ability to make plays in the offensive zone that very few others can make" and "...could be an absolute gem to pick up".

Evgeny Kuznetzov Complete Stats

Canucks prospect Shirokov set to shun KHL for shot at NHL dream

Matthew Sekeres Chicago Globe and Mail May 4, 2010

Vancouver Canucks prospect Sergei Shirokov does not intend to play in Russia next season, according to both the NHL team and the player himself.

A report on a Russian website, picked up by Canadian and U.S. media outlets, says the 24-year-old winger is headed back to the Kontinental Hockey League next season after spending most of 2009-10 with the Manitoba Moose, Vancouver’s farm team.

But Canucks assistant general manager Laurence Gilman says that Shirokov’s camp has given the team every indication that he will be back at training camp next autumn. Shirokov, in fact, said as much just last week when interviewed from Moscow.

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Finest In March (KHL)

The KHL has named the players who were the best of the month in four categories.

- The best goaltender of the month is Ivan Kasutin (Neftekhimik). The keeper played 12 games in March, and in three of these he kept a clean sheet. Overall, he conceded an average of just 1.29 goals per game and saved 95.7% of the shots he faced.

- The best defenseman of the month is Alexander Guskov (Lokomotiv). Heplayed in 13 games and scored four goals, one of which was a game-winner, made three assists and earned an efficiency rating of +7.

- The best attacker of the month is Alexander Radulov (Salavat Yulaev, pictured). In the 13 games he played this month, he scored five goals, including two game-winners, supplied 16 assists and achieved a rating of +12.

- The best rookie (i.e. a player born in 1987 or later, who has played no more than 20 top-level games in previous national tournaments) of the month is Konstantin Plaksin (Traktor). In his 7 games he supplied the assists for 3 goals, merited a rating of +2 and spent an average 24 minutes 53 seconds on the ice in each game.


http://en.khl.ru/news/2010/4/1/23825.html

Alexander Radulov Shining in KHL Playoffs

Perezhogin Puts Salavat In Kontinental Conference Final
Goironpigs.com March 28, 2010

Russian Olympian and former Nashville Predator ALEXANDER RADULOV leads Salavat Yulayev, not to mention the entire KHL, in playoff scoring with 3 goals and 15 points from ten Gargarin Cup contests.

Additional Reading: http://www.goironpigs.com/?p=9155

Elliotte Friedman Examines Team Russia's Disappointing Performance At The Olympics With Commentary From Sergei Zubov

Youtube.com User: Hockeyhaven76

Classic Video: Alexander Radulov 2009-2010 Season

Youtube.com User:EvgeniMalkinN71

KHL President Alexander Medev Planning To Offer Kovalchuk "Good Offer"

Adam Thompson The Wall Street Journal 2-23-2010

"On the topic of star Russian Alex Ovechkin returning in his prime to the KHL, Mr. Medvedev indicated he would honor his contract, which runs through 2020-21. But he's got his eye on New Jersey Devils sniper and Russian Olympian Ilya Kovalchuk (above): "When [Ovechkin's] contract would expire, we could make him a good offer, like we're planning to do with Kovalchuk."

Anton Babchuk: Another Solid Year in the KHL

Bob Hardwood Waeghe of Canes Country examines Anton Babchuk's strong year in the KHL.

"Ex-Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Anton Babchuk is having a very good season over in the KHL. His statline is (46GP 9G 13A 22P +17) and he recently made the KHL All Star team, (and scored a goal in that contest)."

To read Bob's article in full, please visit this link.

Radulov Rolling In Russia

Forward Alexander Radulov was a starter in Saturday’s Continental Hockey League all-star game. He picked up an assist for Team Yashin, which fell 11-6 to Team Jagr...So far this season, Radulov, who left the Predators two summers ago with a year remaining on his contract, is fifth in the KHL in scoring with 55 points (21 goals, 34 assists) in 47 games played (John Glennon, The Tennessean 12/31/2010).

KHL All-Star Game: Radulov, Morozov, and Zubov selected to 1st Team! Babchuk, Kalinin, and Kukkonen selected to 2nd lines!

The 2nd annual KHL All-Star Game will take place January 20th in the new Minsk Arena. As was with the 2009 All-Star Game, this year's exhibition will feature players under the captaincy of SKA St. Petersburg's Alexei Yashin against players under the captaincy of Jaromir Jagr of Avangard Omsk. This year's game will have a strong PuckAgency presence as Alex Radulov (Salavat Yulaev), Aleksey Morozov (Ak Bars Kazan), and Sergei Zubov (SKA St. Petersburg) have been selected to the first line. In addition, Anton Babchuk (Avangard), Dmitri Kalinin (Salavat Yulaev), and Lasse Kukkonen (Avangard) have been selected to the second lines. To learn more about how the 2010 KHL All-Star rosters rounded out, please visit this link.

Prospect Sergei Shirokov Talks About His Decision To Choose The NHL

This summer former CSKA Moscow KHL winger Sergei Shirokov had the chance to land a lucrative contract in Russia, but decided to pursue his dream of playing in the NHL. Currently the top scorer for the Manitoba Moose, the AHL affliate of the Vancouver Canucks, the transition to North America has raised interest by many in the hockey community. To learn more about Sergei's decision to play in the NHL, please visit this link.

"NHL and KHL are almost the same," says Sergei Zubov

Sergei Zubov, PuckAgency client and KHL's best defenseman of November, answers fan questions on sportbox.ru. www.russianhockeyfans.com offers a translation of the "most interesting" responses. For the untranslated interview, with additional Q&A, visit sportbox.ru.

AIK Stockholm possibly joining KHL for 2010-11 season

AIK Stockholm has accepted an invitation to join the KHL, pending approval by the club's members. Check out Jeff Klein's article on New York Times' Slap Shot. If accepted, this would mark a major step towards the KHL becoming a pan-European league.

Khabibulin added to 2010 Olympic team list

Nik Khabibulin is now on the list of names being considered for the Russian hockey Olympic team. The list currently consists of 50 players, and will be finalized by the end of the year.

Among the 50 players are the following PuckAgency clients:
Sergei Zubov
Anton Volchenkov
Alexander Radulov
Alexei Morozov
Denis Kulyash
Ilya Kovalchuk
Vasily Koshechkin
Nikolai Khabibulin
Dmitri Kalinin

Full list of players and article available here.