Emelin

[Bob]

I watched the Canada-Russia exhibition game and like the way Emelin plays the game. They were comparing him to Kasparaitus but he looks much stockier and has a nice one time shot on the PP. He gets that one-timer away and on net in a similar fashion to Dion Phaneuf. I know he isn't Phaneuf but he plays the game in much the same way although he is smaller and less talented.

Nevertheless, I like what he brings to the rink. It's something that seems to be lacking in most of our other defensemen.

In a couple of years.... who knows. He could be in North America.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

bob said:

I watched the Canada-Russia exhibition game and like the way Emelin plays the game. They were comparing him to Kasparaitus but he looks much stockier and has a nice one time shot on the PP. He gets that one-timer away and on net in a similar fashion to Dion Phaneuf. I know he isn't Phaneuf but he plays the game in much the same way although he is smaller and less talented.

Nevertheless, I like what he brings to the rink. It's something that seems to be lacking in most of our other defensemen.

In a couple of years.... who knows. He could be in North America.

Smaller and less talented? Where have I heard that before?

[NWTHabsFan]

In last year's gold medal rout at the hands of Canada, he was the only Russian to score on Canada...so he can get it on net. This year he shows much more composure and puck sense on the point and PP (based on that one exhibition game and his two assists in Russia's first real game). Good puck movement, good passes, nice hard low shot. He is also donning the "A" for the team and racking up career stats in the RSL, so he is getting better with more ice time and confidence. When you add the fact that he is a decent skater and has a real edge to him, he is an intriguing prospect for sure.

[Bob]

He now has 4 points in two games and unlike US players his stats haven't been padded by a game against Norway... yet.

[NWTHabsFan]

Without the RHF-NHL transfer agreement in place, I wonder how easy it will be for the Habs to get him to come over to NA at some point. What I remember reading that Savard has some good rapport/connections in Russia that paved the way for both Perezhogin and Kostitsyn to come over, so this may help if the Habs are interested in seeing what young Emelin can do in Hamilton next season or the season after that.

Hope Emelin can keep up his good play at the WJC, as we sure are short of good D prospects. O'Byrne is having a great year at Cornell, despite his team's struggles, and Korpikari seems like a big steady defensive guy who has lots of experience in the Finnish super league and is still only 21. It sure seems to drop off after that.

[Bob]

Oops... 5 points (1g 4a) in two games.

[Bob]

After four games Emelin is the top scoring defenseman in the WJC with six points

[Deleted]

bob said:

After four games Emelin is the top scoring defenseman in the WJC with six points

Here we go again. Some no name will get all of our hopes up and then break our hearts.

I ain't falling for it this time!

[habmeister]

exactly, forget about stats, just watch the kid's skating, positional play, strength on the puck etc... stats in a tournament don't show the whole story.

[NWTHabsFan]

Emelin scored a beauty just now to put the Russians up 3-1 against the USA. Even McGuire is now an official Emelin fan...don't know whether to cheer or cry.

Emelin has good skating skills, good hockey sense, and decent puck moving skills on 5 on 5 and also on the point on the PP. He takes the man well one on one in his own zone, and does not shy away from the boards or rough stuff (sometimes to the point of some extra time in the sin bin).

Heck, that and some decent offensive stats, must have some Habs' management, scouts and fans smiling. He looks pretty decent and is getting good ice time in the RSL this season. Great for a 19 year old...but a sure fire NHL'er that does not make. Time will tell.

[habmeister]

i was lucky enough to go to the game and watched emelin as much as i could when he was on the ice. except when malkin was on the ice then sorry i just couldn't resist watching him, he is a thing of beauty. anyway back to emelin, he looked pretty good, i've seen 14 games so far and he didn't look out of place as a top defenceman in this tournament. i really like how he likes the rough stuff, which is rare for a russian, or at least used to be. looks like we have a partner for markov coming in 2-3 let's hope.

[Bob]

He is looking poised against Canada. Should have had an assist on the goal that didn't happen.

[Bob]

Oops... took a bad penalty against Downie and it cost Russia a goal but at least he is involved both offensively and defensively.

[seventeen]

I like him. He plays more like a Canadian than a Russian. Good wheels, strong, though not big. has a good shot and moves the puck well.

[habmeister]

he's actually big like kasparitis, small in stature but very solid, good center of balance and tough as nails. i love him.

[NWTHabsFan]

Emelin, with 107 pim in 34 games, is now third in the RSL in penalties. Some North American is first. A guy with some jam, gotta like it.

[duster]

Emelin seems to have something of a mean streak.

rapidshare.de/files/16258552/2006.03.23_MGN_LADA_varlamov-emelin.avi.html

[Deleted]

We have enough trouble with penalties as it is. How good is he as a defenseman?

[montreal]

mattdhf said:

We have enough trouble with penalties as it is. How good is he as a defenseman?

Well he was just named to Russia's prelim roster for the upcoming World Championships. If he can make the team it would be impressive considering he's still 19.

[habmeister]

I watched yemelin play in every game at the world juniors and he was one of my favourite defencemen. I sat with my buddy an nhl player agent and some of his friends who were from CSB and scouts from other teams and they all liked him.

Basically he is kasparitis. he could turn out better, or worse, but he is that exact size and style of russian defenceman. you'll love him. he's the type of defenceman that will do anything to win and will make anyone who doesn't have their head up in the corners pay for it.

i would not be shocked to see him make a serious run at making the team next season.

[seventeen]

habmeister said:

i would not be shocked to see him make a serious run at making the team next season.

I agree, H & C. He seemed to be the key guy for the Russian juniours on the back line and maybe their second most important player after Malkin. I love his attitude, and he's pretty solid physically too, despite not haviing a huge frame.

[Goldthorpe]

The Journal of Montreal is reporting today that Emelin has been suspended indefinitively by the Russian Elite League following the incident. I have no idea if it's going to influence his NA career, but I certainly hope not.

[ropoflu]

MAR 23, 2006

Today during Lada-Metallurg quarterfinal game in Magnitogorsk one of the worst incindents took place in the history of Russian Superleague. According to Gazeta.ru Evgeny Varlamov accidentaly hit Lada's defenceman Alexei Emelin with the puck in the head. Immediately Varlamov approached Emelin in order to apologize for that when Emelin took a swing at Varlamov and hit him with his stick right in the neck. Varlamov fell on the ice and was carried away motionless. General manager of Magnitogorsk Mr. Velichkin after the game informed that Varlamov is in the hospital, has not regain consciousness and in a critical condition. Apparently, Varlamov has a dislocated vertebra in his neck and a severe concussion.

Update: Sovetsky Sport reports that Varlamov gained his consciousness in the hospital. Magnitogorsk GM Velichkin told the newspaper that Varlamov suffered only severe concussion, no damage to his neck was found as was reported earlier.

This is how Sovetsky Sport described the incindent. Metallurg's Kudermetov was called for a penalty. After the whistle was blown Varlamov shot the puck and hit Emelin who was laying on the ice. Varlamov started approaching Emelin seemingly wanting to apologize when Emelin punched Varlamov in the face with the end of his stick shaft.

Russian Hockey Digest will keep updating on Varlamov's condition.

rushockey.com/events.php?i=sl&stream=sl_news&id=480

[ropoflu]

2006 Russian Super League (Russia) Criminal case against Alexei Emelin (Montreal Canadiens) called off
The Magnitogorsk district attorney announced yesterday that the state was not planning to initiate a case against Lada defenseman Alexei Emelin (Montreal Canadiens). In an interview with Soviet Sport correspondent Kiril Belyakov, he stated the following:

The quarterfinals episode Emelin did violate the rules, but fortunately, Varlamov’s injury was not life threatening. So, there is no cause for a criminal investigation. Additionally, the recovering Varlamov has publicly forgiven Emelin.

Metallurg’s vice president Pavel Krashinnikov, who initated the request for a criminal investigation had the following to say to Soviet Sport:

I spoke on Sunday with Varlamov and after our conversation I called on the district attorney and withdrew the request. There is no need for all this attention and panic. Many people called me and asked me not to put pressure on this situation. Evgeny is already home and is feeling better. He asked that Emelin be left along and the career of the young defenseman would not be ruined by this. Especially, considering that he apologized, and Varlamov will not experience any long term effects because of the injury. Evgeny told me that this could have happened with any player.

www.russianprospects.com/public/profile.php?player_id=398

[Deleted]

What's with all of these vicious stick-swinging incidents lately...? And with OUR own players?!

[seventeen]

How else are you going to strike fear into the hearts of opponents to keep them on the straight and narrow...lacking an ubergoon?

[habmeister]

he has a mean streak that's for sure. i don't condone that activity at all, but i didn't see it so it's hard to say how "vicious" it was. i can't wait for him and tucker to meet in a dark corner in the bell centre in the pre-season.

[NWTHabsFan]

Two bits of info about Emelin that I have stumbled across on the web.

First, from a poster on HF, LaPresse had an article in which the Habs Russian scout was all abuzz about Emelin. He downplayed the comparisons to Kasparitis and made more reference to Konstantinov. Lofty praise indeed, far more than a kid who has just made his mark in the juniors and early goes in the RSL so far. I guess from someone who makes his living in Russia watching players, it makes you wonder if this is hype for the team that pays his bills or is there really something there with this kid.

He was a surprise pick last year for Russia at the WJC and was really quite good for a guy with another year eligibility, getting the only goal in the final against the Super Stud Canadian team. This last WJC, he for many, he was the best defender, even being compared against good Cdn defenders like Bourdon and Staal. I watched lots of both, and he really improved...mainly in the areas of being confident as a PP specialist (I would never have guessed that a year ago this January), and his ice time. He has made a mark.

In an HF article about our Euro prospects, the author talked to Trevor Timmons who had high praise for Emelin and thought he was among the best of Dmen in the RSL and wanted him to start his transition to the NA game by playing in the AHL next season.

This is a guy who ended up with a controversial punch and was the top Russian boy in the RSL for penalties (a Canadian led the league). He has jam, and can make things happen. Let's hope he and my other favourite D prospect Ryan O'Byrne (huge monster who is the U of Cornell MVP in my opinion and has incredible skills for a 6'5" and is only 21 year old) really help the fact that we are a bit lean in D prospects.

Enough for now, but I will keep you all up to date on new info that I gather or come up with on my own. Oh yeah, pick Dman Ty Wishart this year with our first round pick please!!

[seventeen]

Stuff like this warms my cockles. Tks NWT. Good stuff.

[cigarviper]

Absolutely great to read.