HFRichard
Rookie
Future NHL Player Agent
Posts: 15
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Post by HFRichard on Aug 24, 2003 17:03:30 GMT -5
I may be biased because I live in Edmonton and would drive down to Red Deer for the three times they host Medicine Hat so that I could see what Andrei is made of. However, I think the CHL would be the best place for him to play this season. If Kastsitsyn were to come over this season, he would likely be a go-to guy on his team and would get the opportunity to play in all situations. He would also learn english and the North American style of play. The Habs would also be able to keep close tabs on him and his development.
I'm not too sure about how skilled the hockey is in the Russian farm league, but I would imagine that the level is similar to that of the CHL, so it's not like he would be downgrading his competition. Also, it doesn't appear that he would be able to get a great deal of ice time if he were to be called up to the CKSA. I think that the CHL is better for him than the AHL because he wouldn't get as much ice time with Hamilton, and with people his own age in the CHL, he will likely make closer friends, which will help his english and more importantly his morale.
Here's hoping I get to see him play this year!
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HFRichard
Rookie
Future NHL Player Agent
Posts: 15
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Post by HFRichard on Aug 24, 2003 17:05:54 GMT -5
Bring him over to play junior hockey, learn the language, and meet North American chicks. Haha, maybe he'll even be able to pick them up because Ruslan Salei and Mr. Zakharov won't be around to call them home haha. |
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Post by Rhiessan on Aug 24, 2003 17:36:30 GMT -5
We were indeed sold that he was NHL ready skating and skillwise but that adds up to jack when he starts getting pushed around by more physically mature guys on a smaller rink in the A, not to mention the language thing. No he will need time to adjust to the north americain game first period and the WHL will do that in a hurry.
Just think where Markov would be progress wise with out Petrov being there the last couple of years.
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Post by seventeen on Aug 24, 2003 18:31:56 GMT -5
There are two things Europeans have difficulty with when 'coming over'.... the language and the ice size. Hypothetically (because we are far from any kind of confirmation AK's committed to the WHL), having a prospect spend a year in the WHL is excellent. Medicine Hat, I'm not sure about...windy, dry, cold...in fact a lot like Moscow. He learns about long bus rides (really long bus rides) so is motivated to spend as little time in the minors as possible. He learns a new language in a milder environment than Hamilton. Duncan Milroy created enough small controversies last year in Cranbrook. Much better there, where the media circus is only one small pup tent. And finally, he gets to meet girls his own age, with less life experience than the, ahem, special group of ladies sports guys are wont to search out. If AK is Tikhonov challenged, then the CHL is a fine place for him to inflate his totals.
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Post by StickHandler on Aug 24, 2003 18:56:04 GMT -5
I'm not too sure about how skilled the hockey is in the Russian farm league, but I would imagine that the level is similar to that of the CHL, so it's not like he would be downgrading his competition. Not even close! The RSL is stonger than the CHL! Those are men, not boys. |
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Post by FormerLurker on Aug 24, 2003 19:01:35 GMT -5
Not even close! The RSL is much, much stonger than the CHL! It's actually much closer to the AHL. Those are men, not boys. Read the quote again, StickHandler. He was talking about the Russian farm league, not the RSL. |
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Post by StickHandler on Aug 24, 2003 19:07:44 GMT -5
Read the quote again, StickHandler. He was talking about the Russian farm league, not the RSL. Sorry. But even then, the talent level is probably higher than that of the CHL because he'd still be playing with men. |
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Post by MPLABBE on Aug 24, 2003 19:32:59 GMT -5
Sorry. But even then, the talent level is probably higher than that of the CHL because he'd still be playing with men. actually, I believe the farm teams are filled with kids in russia. Tattac, is this correct? |
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Post by Cranky on Aug 24, 2003 23:51:28 GMT -5
I think you missed my point. He's not playing for CSKA, and that's one of the problems. Why bring up CSKA when he hasn't even been practising with the team? I was comparing junior hockey to the AHL; it had absolutley nothing to do with a league he is not even going to play in this season by the look of things. The big reason for that is he's still a kid.
~~~~
I never stated that the AHL was a goon league; the fact remains that it's not a league for 18-year-olds either.
Hold on here. My argument is that he is big enough to "try" to play the for CSKA which IS a mans league and he is big enough to play for the AHL. I don't buy the physical limitation aspect of playing in the AHL. Is Perezhogin, Higgins or Milroy any bigger?
Besides, when Montreal wanted to sign him, where exactly do you think they were going to send him?
Ribs is 6-0 and about 180-185; Kastitisyn is 6-0, 189. I don't see a huge difference in size there. The difference is that Ribs been playing pro hockey for four years now. You avoided my question about 18-year-olds not playing in the AHL.
No way is Ribs that big. I saw him play twice and one of the time I was right behind the bench. In fact I was so close that I could see the entire bench reflect of Juliens head. Ribs is at best 160-165 pounds. Nevertheless, unless Kats is lying about his size, he IS big enough to play in the AHL. Size could be an issue if the AHL was a tough, nasty league but from what I saw last year, it's far more of a "skate and shoot" league.
The REASON there are not a lot of players under 20 playing in the AHL is because there is a RULE against it. No CHL player can play in the AHL before he is 20 years old. I think it also applies to Collage players. It does NOT apply to European players.
I can't see an 18-year-old getting all the ice time he wants in the AHL. Plekanec found that out last season as a 19-year-old, and former two-year veteran of the Czech Elite League. Why should the very player you have so much reservation about suddenly be rushed into something he may not be ready for? Last year he played for about five different teams, and it's shaping up to be one of those seasons again. Medicine Hat will have a strong team this year, and there's reason to believe they'll make some noise in the playoffs.
What was wrong with Plakenac's play? He did okay on a loaded team. In fact from what I saw, he was well within his element and by the last games that I saw him, he was reminding me of Koivu.
I believe that if you are developing, you should play on the toughest level you can handle. That was my reasoning for yelping that Komo should not play any more in collage hockey last year. On the other hand, let's not overate the AHL. A lot of the defenseman in the AHL would do better grazing on grass then playing defense. Think about this, how tough is it going to be for Kats to play against a defenseman like our very own grazing wildebeest like Sylvian Blouin? I think that Kats can handle the AHL physical aspect without a problem.
As far as ice time? He would probably play on a third line and he would play over 80 games. Do you think that is not enough ice time?
I don't want to square dance with this Kats vs AHL question. What I will ask again is this:. Why did Montreal want to sign him and where annoyed that he did not sign? Where was he going to play?
IF the answer is the AHL then Savard and Gainey must think that he can handle it and they must think that Jarvis and Co. is best for his development.
Bottom line......
He better be a blazing star in Medicin Hat or a lot of fans are going to need a lot of medicine and Savard and Timmins are going to eat their hats.
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Post by Rhiessan on Aug 25, 2003 1:20:20 GMT -5
I think you missed my point. He's not playing for CSKA, and that's one of the problems. Why bring up CSKA when he hasn't even been practising with the team? I was comparing junior hockey to the AHL; it had absolutley nothing to do with a league he is not even going to play in this season by the look of things. The big reason for that is he's still a kid.~~~~ I never stated that the AHL was a goon league; the fact remains that it's not a league for 18-year-olds either.Hold on here. My argument is that he is big enough to "try" to play the for CSKA which IS a mans league and he is big enough to play for the AHL. I don't buy the physical limitation aspect of playing in the AHL. Is Perezhogin, Higgins or Milroy any bigger? Besides, when Montreal wanted to sign him, where exactly do you think they were going to send him? Ribs is 6-0 and about 180-185; Kastitisyn is 6-0, 189. I don't see a huge difference in size there. The difference is that Ribs been playing pro hockey for four years now. You avoided my question about 18-year-olds not playing in the AHL. No way is Ribs that big. I saw him play twice and one of the time I was right behind the bench. In fact I was so close that I could see the entire bench reflect of Juliens head. Ribs is at best 160-165 pounds. Nevertheless, unless Kats is lying about his size, he IS big enough to play in the AHL. Size could be an issue if the AHL was a tough, nasty league but from what I saw last year, it's far more of a "skate and shoot" league. The REASON there are not a lot of players under 20 playing in the AHL is because there is a RULE against it. No CHL player can play in the AHL before he is 20 years old. I think it also applies to Collage players. It does NOT apply to European players. I can't see an 18-year-old getting all the ice time he wants in the AHL. Plekanec found that out last season as a 19-year-old, and former two-year veteran of the Czech Elite League. Why should the very player you have so much reservation about suddenly be rushed into something he may not be ready for? Last year he played for about five different teams, and it's shaping up to be one of those seasons again. Medicine Hat will have a strong team this year, and there's reason to believe they'll make some noise in the playoffs. What was wrong with Plakenac's play? He did okay on a loaded team. In fact from what I saw, he was well within his element and by the last games that I saw him, he was reminding me of Koivu. I believe that if you are developing, you should play on the toughest level you can handle. That was my reasoning for yelping that Komo should not play any more in collage hockey last year. On the other hand, let's not overate the AHL. A lot of the defenseman in the AHL would do better grazing on grass then playing defense. Think about this, how tough is it going to be for Kats to play against a defenseman like our very own grazing wildebeest like Sylvian Blouin? I think that Kats can handle the AHL physical aspect without a problem. As far as ice time? He would probably play on a third line and he would play over 80 games. Do you think that is not enough ice time? I don't want to square dance with this Kats vs AHL question. What I will ask again is this:. Why did Montreal want to sign him and where annoyed that he did not sign? Where was he going to play? IF the answer is the AHL then Savard and Gainey must think that he can handle it and they must think that Jarvis and Co. is best for his development. Bottom line...... He better be a blazing star in Medicin Hat or a lot of fans are going to need a lot of medicine and Savard and Timmins are going to eat their hats. Training camp must be real soon for HA to have the guns-a-blazin  |
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Post by Tattac on Aug 25, 2003 6:04:26 GMT -5
actually, I believe the farm teams are filled with kids in russia. Tattac, is this correct? The RSL (like the NHL) > the Highest League (the AHL) > the First League (the CHL). CSKA-2 plays in the First League (and additionally in the Moscow Championship). Most players on the team are 16-18 y/o. They don’t crack CSKA lineup yet but have chances to be called up. There is also such a thing in Russia as “lease of players”. Players who don’t crack the lineup of their teams but still are quite valuable are leased to other teams of the RSL or the Highest League. After the lease is over, they come back to their teams. Two years ago Perezhogin played for the Mostovik and year ago Kostitsyn played for the Khimik because they were leased. Some people believe that this year Korneev also can be leased to another team. The Moscow Championship is a mystery for me. The only thing I know is CSKA-2 plays with farms of other teams that are situated in Moscow (Dinamo, Spartak and others). So it looks like if Kostitsyn stays in Russia, he will not play against adults (unless he is in the CSKA lineup). I know for a fact that some Russians read this forum but don’t post here. Perhaps they can explain it better. Hopefully, everything that I wrote makes sence to you guys  |
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Post by Tattac on Aug 25, 2003 6:27:42 GMT -5
There are reasons for that, just like there are reasons why he's not even preactising with the big club in Moscow. So why not junior hockey, where, as it was stated, he'll get plenty of ice time, and more time to adapt to the style of play? Actually, both teams (CSKA and CSKA-2) are practising together now. The coaches want to see all their players play together and then make a decision on who will be in the lineup. |
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Post by BadCompany on Aug 25, 2003 6:53:28 GMT -5
If Kastitsyin is indeed coming over, then I think he has no choice but to play for either Medicine Hat, or the Habs. I don't think the AHL is an option.
As others have pointed out, a junior aged player must be returned to his junior team. While Kastitsyin didn't play for Medicine Hat last year, they did, as montreal pointed out, draft him in the import draft. Which, I am assuming, means they have the rights to him, regardless of whether he actually suits up or not. Therefor, they get first dibs on him.
The difference, I'm guessing, between him and other European imports, is that not all Europeans are drafted into the CHL. Junior teams are only allowed 2 imports per year, so as you can imagine, a lot would slip through the cracks. I think, though I don't know for sure, that Sergie Samsonov would have been one of those guys, which is why he was "allowed" to play in the IHL. Another explanation could be that the IHL was a separate league, and not bound by the pros-or junior clause that NHL drafted 18 year olds are bound by. It might not have been one of their rules, in other words.
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Post by M. Beaux-Eaux on Aug 25, 2003 6:54:34 GMT -5
By my understanding (and I hope to be corrected if I'm wrong): The RSL, like the NHL, is a professional league not a development league. They pay and play to win and to put fannies in the seats and money in their owners' pockets.
If Tikhonov feels Kostitsyn can't help him to achieve those goals, then t he kid doesn't play. CSKA Moscow's job isn't to bring along Habs' players, but to win a championship.
To harken back to the post which began the thread: In what medium did this Czech reporter make the claim that Kostitsyn will play for Medicine Hat this season? What is the reporter's name? Who was his source for this information? Can anyone verify this rumour?
What about Andrei? What's his opinion regarding this speculation? Is he even interested in coming over to North America any time soon?
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Post by Tattac on Aug 25, 2003 7:24:02 GMT -5
By my understanding (and I hope to be corrected if I'm wrong): The RSL, like the NHL, is a professional league not a development league. They pay and play to win and to put fannies in the seats and money in their owners' pockets. If Tikhonov feels Kostitsyn can't help him to achieve those goals, then t he kid doesn't play. CSKA Moscow's job isn't to bring along Habs' players, but to win a championship. To harken back to the post which began the thread: In what medium did this Czech reporter make the claim that Kostitsyn will play for Medicine Hat this season? What is the reporter's name? Who was his source for this information? Can anyone verify this rumour? What about Andrei? What's his opinion regarding this speculation? Is he even interested in coming over to North America any time soon? You are right Mr. Bozo Nobody heard about it here yet. As far as I remember Andrei didn't have any desire to go to North America this year. He could change his mind of course. Patience is a virtue. |
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Post by Cranky on Aug 25, 2003 8:08:29 GMT -5
Which, I am assuming, means they have the rights to him, regardless of whether he actually suits up or not. Therefor, they get first dibs on him. You mean as a junior? If he signs a pro contract? |
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Post by BadCompany on Aug 25, 2003 8:16:15 GMT -5
You mean as a junior? If he signs a pro contract? Yeah, as a junior. Doesn't matter what contract he signs, he has to play for his junior team. If that weren't the case, then teams would simply "sign" their 1st round picks, and they would all play in the AHL, and nobody would play junior/CHL. As pointed out by others, its a rule designed to protect the junior teams. If the NHL teams keep raiding all their star players, then the junior teams wouldn't be able to draw any fans. No fans, means no money for developement, coaches, facilities. No developement, coaches, or facilities, means lousy hockey players. While the elite players, the top picks (and by top, I mean usually the top 3-5), can survive jumping to the AHL right away, most of the others NEED junior competition to develope. Anybody want to throw Cory Locke into the AHL this year? Without strong junior leagues, we'd see serious drops in developement curves. Most players come up through the CHL after all. Its in NHL team's best interests to ensure the CHL is healthy. Every year there are one or two guys who fall into the middle though - too good for junior, not good enough for the NHL. These are the guys who could benefit from the AHL, but they are a very, very small minority. Like I said, usually only one or two guys a year. Just about everybody else profits from this rule. |
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Post by Habsolution on Aug 25, 2003 8:30:30 GMT -5
BC I don't know if that was what you meant or not but Kasty is an euro and and euro born players need not play with the junior team that drafted them. If the habs had signed him before august 15th he would have played either in the AHL or NHL.
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Post by Cranky on Aug 25, 2003 8:53:34 GMT -5
Am I missing something here?
The restriction for 20 year olds is an agreement between the AHL AND the CHL. It only applies for CHL juniors, not players who played in Europe.
If the Hab's signed Kat's he COULD play in the AHL. There is no question about that. The only question remains is if the Hab's could sign him.
If Kat's chose to play junior hockey then those rights belong to Medicin Hat.
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Post by BadCompany on Aug 25, 2003 9:04:15 GMT -5
I'm not sure I understand. Why WOULDN'T Kastsitsyin be bound by the same rules? The fact that he is European should have no bearing on the agreement. If a player belongs to a junior team, then the rule should be in effect. Why wouldn't it be?
As pointed out, its an agreement between the NHL and the CHL... A CHL team holds Kastitsyin's rights. Why wouldn't the same logic apply?
Can anybody name a European player who was drafted into the NHL, and who then played in the AHL the subsequent year, even though he had junior eligibility? A player who WASN'T drafted into the CHL?
I'll see if I can do a little research into the matter...
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Post by BadCompany on Aug 25, 2003 9:31:52 GMT -5
I don't know guys. I just did some research into past CHL import drafts, and there are lots of examples of guys who were drafted by NHL teams out of higher European Leagues, who then went on to spend a year or two in the CHL. Like Frederik Sjostrom (SEL), Mikhail Yakubov (Russia), Kristian Kudroc (Russia), Konstanin Kolstov (Russia), Kirill Safronov (Russia), even our very own Alexander Buturlin. I was able to find only one player - Ivan Huml - who was drafted in the CHL import draft, then drafted by an NHL team, and who went directly to the AHL. And he may or may not have been on the age bubble (his birthday is Sept 6). Every other player I looked up, went from a European league, to the CHL, or they stayed in Europe. No other player went from Europe to the AHL, unless they spent another couple of seasons across the pond. I welcome further information on this, and if somebody knows for sure, feel free to correct me, but it seems to me that if you are drafted by a CHL team, you have to play for them... www.eatsleephockey.com/WHL/Import.htmlwww.chl.ca/CHLNews0001/jun27_draft.htmlwww.canoe.ca/CHL/importdraft.htmlwww.canoe.ca/CHL/importdraft_1999.htmlwww.canoe.ca/CHL/importdraft_1998.htmlHere's a quick example: In June, 2000, the Chicago Blackhawks drafted Igor Radulov. The following season, Radulov played 8 games for St. Petersburgk SKA, in the Russian Super League (comparable to Kastitsyin's 6 games in the Super League). That summer, June 2001, following his 8 games in the Super League, Radulov was drafted in the CHL import draft, by the Mississauga Ice Dogs. He played the following season, 2001-02, with the Ice Dogs. Wouldn't Chicago have wanted him to play in the AHL, if the CHL is in fact a step down from the Super League and/or Upper League? Why did he play for the woeful, mismanaged, circus that is the Ice Dogs? |
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Post by Cranky on Aug 25, 2003 9:45:12 GMT -5
I don't know guys. I just did some research into past CHL import drafts, and there are lots of examples of guys who were drafted by NHL teams out of higher European Leagues, who then went on to spend a year or two in the CHL. Like Frederik Sjostrom (SEL), Mikhail Yakubov (Russia), Kristian Kudroc (Russia), Konstanin Kolstov (Russia), Kirill Safronov (Russia), even our very own Alexander Buturlin. I was able to find only one player - Ivan Huml - who was drafted in the CHL import draft, then drafted by an NHL team, and who went directly to the AHL. And he may or may not have been on the age bubble (his birthday is Sept 6). Every other player I looked up, went from a European league, to the CHL, or they stayed in Europe. No other player went from Europe to the AHL, unless they spent another couple of seasons across the pond. I welcome further information on this, and if somebody knows for sure, feel free to correct me, but it seems to me that if you are drafted by a CHL team, you have to play for them... www.eatsleephockey.com/WHL/Import.htmlwww.chl.ca/CHLNews0001/jun27_draft.htmlwww.canoe.ca/CHL/importdraft.htmlwww.canoe.ca/CHL/importdraft_1999.htmlwww.canoe.ca/CHL/importdraft_1998.htmlI am old and fragile. I need answers and Metamucil, not more questions..... As a side note, through an agreement between with CHL and the NHL, a player under the age of 20 cannot play in the AHL. www.caneshockey.com/team/associated.aspI also found that this ONLY applies to junior player that played in the CHL ONLY. I can not find the link (it was in an HF article) and I am heading out to work. |
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Post by Ryan on Aug 25, 2003 9:58:18 GMT -5
I don't know guys. I just did some research into past CHL import drafts, and there are lots of examples of guys who were drafted by NHL teams out of higher European Leagues, who then went on to spend a year or two in the CHL. Like Frederik Sjostrom (SEL), Mikhail Yakubov (Russia), Kristian Kudroc (Russia), Konstanin Kolstov (Russia), Kirill Safronov (Russia), even our very own Alexander Buturlin. I was able to find only one player - Ivan Huml - who was drafted in the CHL import draft, then drafted by an NHL team, and who went directly to the AHL. And he may or may not have been on the age bubble (his birthday is Sept 6). Every other player I looked up, went from a European league, to the CHL, or they stayed in Europe. No other player went from Europe to the AHL, unless they spent another couple of seasons across the pond. I welcome further information on this, and if somebody knows for sure, feel free to correct me, but it seems to me that if you are drafted by a CHL team, you have to play for them... www.eatsleephockey.com/WHL/Import.htmlwww.chl.ca/CHLNews0001/jun27_draft.htmlwww.canoe.ca/CHL/importdraft.htmlwww.canoe.ca/CHL/importdraft_1999.htmlwww.canoe.ca/CHL/importdraft_1998.htmlHere's a quick example: In June, 2000, the Chicago Blackhawks drafted Igor Radulov. The following season, Radulov played 8 games for St. Petersburgk SKA, in the Russian Super League (comparable to Kastitsyin's 6 games in the Super League). That summer, June 2001, following his 8 games in the Super League, Radulov was drafted in the CHL import draft, by the Mississauga Ice Dogs. He played the following season, 2001-02, with the Ice Dogs. Wouldn't Chicago have wanted him to play in the AHL, if the CHL is in fact a step down from the Super League and/or Upper League? Why did he play for the woeful, mismanaged, circus that is the Ice Dogs? As far as I'm concerned a European born player drafted into the NHL while in Europe is able to play in the AHL regardless of their CHL draft status. I don't even think there is yes or no option for European players when it comes to the CHL Import draft. I think a team can draft any Euro player of junior age but they are under no obligation to report. Frederik Sjostrom played last year for the Calgary Hitmen, but also played 2 regular season and 6 playoff games for the Springfield Falcons in the AHL. Sjostrom only turned 20 on May 6, 2003 but played games in the AHL prior to that date. Sjostrom is an '83 birth, as far as I know there would have been no '83 births in the AHL last year that are products of the CHL. |
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Post by BadCompany on Aug 25, 2003 10:07:52 GMT -5
As far as I'm concerned a European born player drafted into the NHL while in Europe is able to play in the AHL regardless of their CHL draft status. I don't even think there is yes or no option for European players when it comes to the CHL Import draft. I think a team can draft any Euro player of junior age but they are under no obligation to report. Frederik Sjostrom played last year for the Calgary Hitmen, but also played 2 regular season and 6 playoff games for the Springfield Falcons in the AHL. Sjostrom only turned 20 on May 6, 2003 but played games in the AHL prior to that date. Sjostrom is an '83 birth, as far as I know there would have been no '83 births in the AHL last year that are products of the CHL. That still doesn't answer the question. If anything, it just re-inforces my position. Sjostrom played his regular season games AFTER his Calgary Hitmen had been eliminated from their CHL playoffs, which is why he also played in the Falcons AHL playoffs. Jason Ward did this one year too. This is allowed by the NHL CBA agreement. This would sort of indicate Sjostrom is abiding the rules that all junior aged players must abide by. Here are the CBA paragraphs in question: "8.7. Age 18 and 19 Players.
(a) During the first two seasons next succeeding the draft
of an age 18 player, the Club he signs a contract with must first
offer him to the club from which he was claimed before it may
assign him out of the NHL.
(b) During the first season next succeeding the draft of an
age 19 player or a player who reaches his 19th birthday between
September 16 and December 31, inclusive, of the year of the
draft, the Club he signs a contract with must first offer him to
the club from which he was claimed before it may assign him
out of the NHL.
(c) During the seasons set forth in (a) and (b) above, the
age 18 and age 19 player, respectively, may be assigned to the
minor league team affiliate of his Club when his Junior team is
no longer in competition and provided he has been listed on the
Club's minor league eligibility list."The question is, what does "from which he was claimed" mean? Does it mean the European team he is playing for, or the CHL team that owns his rights? Given that virtually no European AND CHL drafted player went to the AHL - with the exception of Huml they ALL went to the CHL - I'm thinking it means the CHL team that owns his rights... |
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Post by Ryan on Aug 25, 2003 10:11:03 GMT -5
Igor Knyazev, born January 27, 1983 played 68 games last year in the AHL. As an '83 birth last year would have been his last as a junior eligible player in the CHL (Plus an overage year).
Once again, an '83 birth non-Euro CHL product would not have been able to play in the AHL last year.
Unless I'm wrong, Kats could play in the AHL this year.
But we're going on a report from a non-major Euro news source, so I think we're jumping the gun here. And it is entirely possible the Habs would prefer he gets a year under his belt in the CHL with kids his own age before playing against men in the AHL.
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Post by Habfaith on Aug 25, 2003 10:12:37 GMT -5
This all may be much ado about nothing, since the rumour is coming from some obscure source, but...
If it turns out that AK plays in the Hat this year, I'll be able to give you guys some feedback along with HFRichard, as I live in Calgary and would get to see the Tigers play the Hitmen a few times.
I hope this rumour is true, not only because I would get to see him play, but because there is no harm in him playing a year in the WHL.
I think most of us agree that he is about 2 years away from the NHL at least, so why not let him develop in an environment where he is playing 20 minutes a game at a very high level? I think Sjostrom really benefitted from his time here with the Hitmen, as did Getzlaf. These guys are going to the next level with loads of confidence because they were able to be the big fish (albeit in a small pond) for a while.
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Post by BadCompany on Aug 25, 2003 10:23:54 GMT -5
Igor Knyazev, born January 27, 1983 played 68 games last year in the AHL. As an '83 birth last year would have been his last as a junior eligible player in the CHL (Plus an overage year). Once again, an '83 birth non-Euro CHL product would not have been able to play in the AHL last year. Unless I'm wrong, Kats could play in the AHL this year. But we're going on a report from a non-major Euro news source, so I think we're jumping the gun here. And it is entirely possible the Habs would prefer he gets a year under his belt in the CHL with kids his own age before playing against men in the AHL. That's true, but Knyazev was never drafted into the CHL. Unless I am mistaken, his name doesn't appear on any of the lists posted above. Thus, no CHL owned his rights. He'd be, like a free agent. He can't be sent to his junior team, because he doesn't have one. I know we are jumping the gun here, but its still an interesting question, regardless of whether its Kastitsyin or not. Can a European-drafted player play in the AHL if a junior team once selected him in the CHL import draft? I don't think he can... |
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Post by Tattac on Aug 25, 2003 11:33:21 GMT -5
Have anyone noticed that there is only one Russian player who played in the CHL and then succeded in the NHL (Samsonov). Others came back to Russia and still do not play major part in their respective teams. Those who stayed in North America are not very successfull either. Kostitsyn is not Russian, but the hockey system in Russia and Belorussia is almost the same anyway. I believe most of these kids are stuck in their development between two systems (North American and Russian). They are not good in either of them.
Besides, Andrei sounds very immature. One more year in Tikhonov's club will help him. I'm not sure if a year in a foreign country will help such a guy to grow up.
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Post by Habsolution on Aug 25, 2003 11:37:01 GMT -5
That's true, but Knyazev was never drafted into the CHL. Unless I am mistaken, his name doesn't appear on any of the lists posted above. Thus, no CHL owned his rights. He'd be, like a free agent. He can't be sent to his junior team, because he doesn't have one. I know we are jumping the gun here, but its still an interesting question, regardless of whether its Kastitsyin or not. Can a European-drafted player play in the AHL if a junior team once selected him in the CHL import draft? I don't think he can... BC I don't see what you don't understand here. It is pretty simple really. An euro without a NHL contract coming to north america HAS to play for the CHL team that drafted him. An euro with a professional contract from the NHL team that drafted him HAS to play for the AHL or NHL. That's pretty simple... Next year if he signs with the habs he can play in the AHL or NHL. |
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Post by BadCompany on Aug 25, 2003 11:53:18 GMT -5
BC I don't see what you don't understand here. It is pretty simple really. An euro without a NHL contract coming to north america HAS to play for the CHL team that drafted him. An euro with a professional contract from the NHL team that drafted him HAS to play for the AHL or NHL. That's pretty simple... Next year if he signs with the habs he can play in the AHL or NHL. You're right, that's what I don't understand - why does a euro with a professional contract HAVE to play in the AHL or NHL? Where is that written? There doesn't appear to be any precedent, and if anything, the precedent is exactly opposite of this. All euros who come over to North America with junior eligibility AND who have been drafted in the CHL import draft, either play in the NHL, or in the CHL. None of them play in the AHL (the questionable Ivan Huml aside). Just because they have a pro contract doesn't mean they HAVE to play in the AHL or NHL. Last year, both Olivier Michaud and Christian Larrivee played in the CHL, despite having pro contracts. As did Mike Ribeiro, after his infamous 19 game stint in the NHL. That's what I don't understand. Why is everyone so sure Kastitsyin could play in the AHL this year? His rights are owned by a CHL team, and unless that CHL team relinquishes those rights (which is possible) I don't see why he wouldn't have to play in Junior. Every other euro that was drafted into the CHL did, why is Kat an exception? |
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