Sterling Archer Posted June 29, 2011 Report Posted June 29, 2011 I saw a post about Alexei Yashin and it made me think. Why do so many Russian players become lazy, streaky, or just plain uncoachable? Remember the old Red Army teams? They were to be feared. They ran roughshod over teams. I think of guys like Fetisov, Igor Larionov, Valeri Kamensky. Even Mogilny and Federov were hard workers. Now, we have these highly touted guys who have amazing skills but either never show up or do show up but for a split second. What changed? The pounding iron grip of a Communist dictator. Think about it. They could basically lock these guys up and throw away the key. They were soldiers who played hockey and they played like it. Mogilny had to basically run away to join the Sabres. Now look at some of these post-USSR Russian players: Radulov- Took off. Probably could have started WWIII Zherdev- Caused problems with the Jackets, got traded, then laid an egg in NY Afinogenov- LOL Oleg Kvasha- Was apparently thought of highly enough to get Luongo and O Jokinen from the Isles Alex Kovalev- Probably had one of the most inconsistent careers I've ever seen. Guy could score 100 points if he could play 82 games. Artem Kryukov- Another LOL Evgeny Grachev- 3rd round pick for NYR but looks to be falling to the curse I could go on. Even a guy like Frolov, who is a good player, has been accused of going through the motions.
thesportsbuff Posted June 29, 2011 Report Posted June 29, 2011 I think it's just their style of play. Sure they have that list of wash ups but Ovechkin, Malkin and Kovalchuk are some of the best in the game. I know absolutely nothing about Russia, but based on how their players turn out, it seems to me their game is based on speed and flashy goal scoring. I get the impression that defense or two-way hockey isn't their focal point. However I'm sure if someone wanted to they could come up with a list twice as long, maybe three times a long, of US or Canadian born players who have the same problems and equally disappointing careers. At least the Russians have an excuse with having to be hundreds of miles away from home, in some cases without any family or friends at all near by. I'd imagine that might make it pretty hard to focus, alongside the cultural and language barriers.
Sterling Archer Posted June 29, 2011 Author Report Posted June 29, 2011 Polish vodka got better. Polish vodka is good.
deluca67 Posted June 29, 2011 Report Posted June 29, 2011 Polish vodka got better. How is he on face-offs?
Sterling Archer Posted June 29, 2011 Author Report Posted June 29, 2011 How is he on face-offs? Early in the game he's pretty week. But late, when it's crunch time, he's got you beat.
X. Benedict Posted June 29, 2011 Report Posted June 29, 2011 Probably Pavel Datsyuk should be mentioned. Best 2 way player in the game IMO.
LastPommerFan Posted June 29, 2011 Report Posted June 29, 2011 Probably Pavel Datsyuk should be mentioned. Best 2 way player in the game IMO. Converted Soccer Players love 1-0 games.
MattPie Posted June 29, 2011 Report Posted June 29, 2011 I think it's just their style of play. Sure they have that list of wash ups but Ovechkin, Malkin and Kovalchuk are some of the best in the game. I know absolutely nothing about Russia, but based on how their players turn out, it seems to me their game is based on speed and flashy goal scoring. I get the impression that defense or two-way hockey isn't their focal point. Wasn't Max on the PK for the Russian Olympic team? That should say it all!
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