Video

Fair point. There’s definitely something strange going on between them. Matvei is clearly good enough to play for SKA and if Rotenberg can’t see that, then he is a terrible manager. I just don’t think he is attempting to sabotage his career like many claim. Even if he doesn’t come early I don’t believe that he will be blocked from leaving at the end of his deal. At the end of the day I have no clue and could be wrong but just about every top player that has been drafted has come to the NHL much quicker than people claim.

@@MedvedProspekt34do not even try to understand rotenberg. This whole situation with him being manager is an absolute joke

Nah, it's exactly how people call the team in Russia. Not S K A, but Ska.

He'll probably be their captain at some point. 🤟He was a steal at 7

I think a lot of the old school Russian hockey mentality (especially SKA leadership) really values seniority and earning your spot. While a lot of people including myself believe that he has done more than he should have to in order to crack the lineup, he has still not been given a real chance. Rotenberg prefers to run his team based on those principles which have hurt his team. I'm not sure why he acts that way but he at least gave guys like Michkov and Khustnudinov the opportunity to get real minutes in Sochi rather than waste their talents sitting in the press box. Which interview are you talking about? I'm not sure I've seen it and i'm curious to hear what he said.

@@MedvedProspekt34 Marat did got some good ice time with the SKA, but Michkov never. Episode 451 6th july 2023, start around 33th minutes, and those guys are plugged.

​@@genestdaniel9882 BS. His coaches and teammates love him in Russia.

​​@@MedvedProspekt34 The reports came from Martin Lemay, a bullshitting sports columnist that works for Montreal media. There's no credence to his claims whatsoever.

It is strange that Rotenberg gave Marat ice time in 2022-23 but not this season. Not sure what to make of that really. I had never seen that chiclets segment before. Hopefully it's exaggerated and there are no problems when he comes to philly.

Oh ya! I got a cousin from Montreal who says michkov will be a bust!, just because he wasn't drafted by the Habs 🤣🤣🤣,,,,can't wait to torchur him in the coming year 🧡🖤

I don't know for sure but it is highly unlikely as they grew up pretty far from each other. I am a huge fan of Gridin though so it would be awesome to watch those two play together. Gridin's playmaking and Michkov's shot would be a lethal combo.

Agreed. I think Klimovich lacks the separation ability to play in NA. I’m a huge fan of Nugmanov but his ceiling is likely KHL

Taimazov is one of my favorite players in this draft. I think he is criminally underrated. Will never be a big point getter but will give you consistent defensive play and can start the rush very well. My final list will likely have Artamonov high but not 7 and I’m probably going to have Taimazov around 30. Both of them are some of my favorites in this class.

@@MedvedProspekt34 my reasoning for Artamonov at 7 is bc I’m absolutely in love with guys who play with a high motor. Nikita REALLY reminds me of a rookie Marchand (minus most of the dirty plays) bc he’s just up and down the ice all game long, contributing in all of the zones and getting in to the dirty areas aswell, doing that in a men’s league is very impressive to me.

@@MARCHAND-ENTHUSIAST I’m the same way. I’d much rather have a guy that gives it his all every shift and is a pest to play against because of how hard they work than a guy that has skill but stands there with his stick in the air when he doesn’t have the puck. I think I have artamonov at 11 rn so not much farther back than you. One of my favorites for sure.

He's really fun. A ton of skill and has scored some gorgeous goals this year but he doesn't have enough tools for me to think he'll play in NA. Hopefully continues to develop because he's a ton of fun to watch.

I feel the same way about Lyuzenkov. There were a couple games I watched where he was flying and creating tons of chances and others where he was completely invisible. He's a fun player but I don't think he'll ever play in NA. Hopefully he trends up and can have a good KHL career so we can keep watching him.

That's the plan. I have a couple more multi player videos in the works but I'm going to make some more in depth videos on individual players soon.

Nabokov is a pretty decent goaltender and is an athletic freak. He does need to round out some of his game smarts & positioning to become a truly top end goalie.

I don't know goalies well but he's been good all year. A big reason why Metallurg is succeeding in the playoffs.

I 100% agree. I’ve been really impressed with his defensive play and his ability to break the puck out consistently. He moves much better than most give him credit for and his handling/passing abilities are great as well. I would definitely take the risk if I was a GM.

Agreed 100%

My bet is that they both get drafted around the same spot. Chernyshov has higher offensive/top 6 upside so he’ll probably go first but both around the early 20s. Surin rose in my rankings every time I watched him but top 10 is way too high in my opinion. He’s a great 2-way center that I see as more of an energy 3rd liner. I’d love to see him go higher but I think 20-30 is probably his range.

Yes sir. My second video will be coming out in the next week or so and will include Avramov.

I’m a really big fan of Pautov. Super skilled, smart, wants the puck on his stick, plays at a high pace. Lots to love about his game. He probably should have been in this video tbh but he will defenitly be in my next video about underrated players.

Appreciate it mate! Both are really similar players; tall, lanky, smooth skating forwards who have the skill and IQ to beat opponents up ice with their hands, feet, and playmaking. The knock on both is no consistency. In a lot of the games I watched, they didn’t really give much effort at all and then every third game they would score a highlight goal. Both will likely be in my next video about underrated draft eligibles.

Surin is one of my favorites this year. He plays hard on both ends, is not afraid to lay the body, and his play with the puck has improved a ton since last year. I’m not sure I have him that high but I don’t think he makes it past the first few picks of the second round.

@@MedvedProspekt34 I had Danil But 8th oa in my rankings last year and I might be more impressed with Surin this year. I read a few of your articles on his games and saw that he had a ton of improvement. I looked at an earlier video you had and you can see the massive difference (even though it was a blow-out). What impresses me the most about Surin is that he is a very natural center. He has a quick reaction time (when he doesn't have the puck), physical, good frame, really good at getting open on breakouts, and is very good defensively. He makes a few turnovers here and there, but I think that's more-so him reacting too late. Most of his final decisions on who to pass to are the best decisions. His shot is also not very good imo. Anyways, top 15 might be too rich now, but I doubt pro-scouts have him outside the 1st round. The over-all package is way too valuable

@@dannycastle161 Lets hope you are right. He has been one of my favorite Russians this year and deserves the first round attention. His game improves every time I see him play so he obviously has the work ethic to improve on his weak points. I think top 15 is a little high just because his ceiling will likely be more of an M6/3rd line player . A guy that gives it his all on both ends, will put up solid offensive numbers, and can contribute on the penalty kill. I need to look at more of the guys outside of russia to make an accurate ranking but he will probably make it into in my 1st round list at the end of the year.

​@@MedvedProspekt34 I saw some stuff that I thought could be top 6 center worthy in the NHL. That's good enough for me to put him in the first round. He also has a really late birthday. That boosts his draft stock even more

Thanks man! More coming soon.