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Post by drkcloud on Dec 31, 2003 13:11:02 GMT -5
I am really starting to doubt this pick as time rolls on and we see more from other picks at the WJ.
We take Kat at #10, but look at Jeff Carter at #11, Anthony Stewart at #25. Zach Parise is the tournament scoring leader ( and my favorite from this draft year) and he was take around #17. Jeff Tambellini? All these guys look to have more upside. Why isnt Kat at the Juniors by the way? I have a bad feeling this was a wasted pick and we will regret it as we look around the league.
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Post by BadCompany on Dec 31, 2003 13:24:42 GMT -5
Kastitsyin was at the World Juniors, playing for Belarus in Division II. His team wasn't good enough last year to stay in the high division with Canada, Russia, the US, etc.. But this year, Belarus finished first in the second division, and will be back with the big boys next year.
In 5 games, Kastitsyin had 5 goals, 5 assists, 10 points, 12 PIM and finished +5.
He is now currently playing in the Russian Super League (which is the highest league in Russia, generally thought of as being a level below the NHL, but above the AHL), where he doesn't get much ice time, and generally sees only 4th line duties. As an aside, Sergie Berezin is a teammate of his (as was Nikolai Zherdev, before bolting to Columbus), and his coach is the legendary Victor Tikhonov.
Kastitsyin has also played a number of games in the Russian High League (which is like the minor leagues for the Super League). There, he has played 14 games, has 11 goals, 8 assists, 19 points and 8 PIM. It should be kept in mind though, that Russian stats are not always the most reliable to come by.
Just for comparison's sake, Katstityin has (I think) 1 point in 9 games in the Super League, while Zherdev had 4 points in 20 games (again, keeping in mind the general unreliability of Russian stats - at least the ones I have found).
Much too early to be writing Kat off just yet. He's doing fine over in Russia.
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Post by BCHab on Dec 31, 2003 13:32:23 GMT -5
Kastitsyn is from for Belarus not Russia which is why he wasn't playing this year. They won the "B" pool this year and should be playing in the "A" tournament next year.
I agree with you that it's hard to get any kind of read on this player when there is almost no information. He plays sparingly for CSKA and certainly doesn't get the visibility of a Zherdev or Ovechkin. In fact, very few people have seen him play so it's hard to say if some of the other 18 year olds picked after him are any better or worse. Perhaps he can be convinced to come to NA next year? My two cents...
Cheers,
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Post by StickHandler on Dec 31, 2003 15:55:25 GMT -5
I prefer to take another approach when comparing Kastsitsyn to other 2003 draft picks: If he was drafted before guys like Carter, Stewart and Parise, just imagine how good he must be!
I don't think anyone here has even seen him play yet (for the exception of Montreal who saw a couple of taped games). We can't really judge him until we see him in action. Hopefully, he will be at the rookie tournament next summer.
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Post by roke on Dec 31, 2003 16:24:13 GMT -5
Judging how good a player by his statistics is always hard to do, especially when comparing the play of 2 players in different leagues including the WJHC this year when comparing Kats to other players, seeing how he was playing in the B tournament. Also, I read once, although I do not if it is true, so correct me if I'm wrong but do they only count the "1st" assist in Russia? I don't remember where I read that or if it is true so that makes comparing stats much more difficult, as if it isn't difficult enough as it is.
I'm hoping that Kats will become a key player in the future for us and that he develops into a superstar, as I cross my fingers that we need. Although that may be placing too high of an expectation on him.
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Post by DeathdrivesaVW on Dec 31, 2003 22:17:20 GMT -5
I am really starting to doubt this pick as time rolls on and we see more from other picks at the WJ. We take Kat at #10, but look at Jeff Carter at #11, Anthony Stewart at #25. Zach Parise is the tournament scoring leader ( and my favorite from this draft year) and he was take around #17. Jeff Tambellini? All these guys look to have more upside. Why isnt Kat at the Juniors by the way? I have a bad feeling this was a wasted pick and we will regret it as we look around the league. Don't worry man, really Kastitsyn has one thing most and no 1 in the 2003 draft has stickhandling the puck at high speed. Also his speed without it is going 2 burn you. Kastitsyn also has a strong work ethic, a goalscorers mentality while still able to use his linemates to his advantage. Kastitsyn wants the puck, at all times, he wants it just wants it will beat you too it or kill you for it, in the corner, open ice etc. The Kid is a gamebreaker he's played for the U-20 since he was 15 or 16.... has alwayz produced nicely, Dominated the U-18, U-17 and so forth. Kastitsyn performs he plays physical, he scores, he plays well in important situations.... He's a keeper. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2004 16:55:29 GMT -5
I'm starting to have some doubts about Kastsitsyn as well, but if he is signed next year (assuming there is hockey) and plays in Hamilton, he'll be taught well under Jarvis. I think he'll thrive well with a good team (not too many players don't).
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Post by seventeen on Jan 1, 2004 19:11:33 GMT -5
I'm not worried in the least about Andrei. (There...I'm sure that will make you sleep better at nights now.)  I'm just patting myself on the back here. Prior to the draft I went on the record at HabsRus, (more than once) that I wanted one of 3 guys, in this order, Kats, Phaneuf and Parise. Kats development is less certain because of Belarus' having to play in the B pool, but Phaneuf has been a monster with Team Canada and Parise is only leading the scoring, and the US team. The biggest question I have is what kind of reaction will Kevin Lowe experience if Parise turns out so much better than Pouliot? I thought it was a huge mistake to trade down when Parise was still available and that assessment is looking pretty wise so far. Pouliot is a good player, but injury prone and it's still very questionable if his potential was ever higher than Parise's. Kastsitsyn will be good. His scoring with the Army B team has been better than average (which it has to be). His scoring on the A team has been limited because he isn't getting much ice time and when he is, it's on the 4th line. Everything I read about this guy before the draft said plenty of skill, at speed, (which is the really hard part) and his desire and drive for the puck. Last time that was such a common statement was in 87 for Joe Sakic. I'm really looking forward to his coming over and playing here. I predict it will take him less time to adjust than it's taking Perezhogin. He just seems that type of kid. PS. Remember the black eye and facial cuts for his photo for the Hockey News Draft Issue? How can you not like it? A skilled player who gets his nose dirty. Hmmm...Crosby's like that. What we really need to do is make a trade for the 1st rounder of a team who may finish in the bottom 5 for the 2005 draft. |
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I'm just patting myself on the back here. Prior to the draft I went on the record at HabsRus, (more than once) that I wanted one of 3 guys, in this order, Kats, Phaneuf and Parise. Kats development is less certain because of Belarus' having to play in the B pool, but Phaneuf has been a monster with Team Canada and Parise is only leading the scoring, and the US team. The biggest question I have is what kind of reaction will Kevin Lowe experience if Parise turns out so much better than Pouliot? I thought it was a huge mistake to trade down when Parise was still available and that assessment is looking pretty wise so far. Pouliot is a good player, but injury prone and it's still very questionable if his potential was ever higher than Parise's.