Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Jan62012 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Kuznetsov: “If we had won, it would have been unfair”

Kuznetsov: "If we had won, it would have been unfair" (Photo © Francois Laplante) After the 1-0 defeat to Sweden in the 2012 WJC Gold Medal Game, Evgeny Kuznetsov shared his thoughts about the game with the popular news agency RIA Novosti. "In the first two periods we had a total of four shots on net. This speaks loud. If we won, it would have been unfair. Makarov was great, he saved the game for us, he stopped everything. So, destiny decided otherwise. So the Silver medal is good? Maybe it's good for you. It hurts, but life goes on. Nothing terrible, we have to know how to lose as well. We will make it through. This will temper our character." Kuznetsov went on talking about MVP honors: "Being the Most Valuable Player is always pleasant, but it hurts as I didn't get the Medal I wanted." H...

Oct142011 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Kirill Kabanov to play in Swedish Elitserien

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Kirill Kabanov to play in Swedish Elitserien (Photo © Getty Images) Today it was announced that Kirill Kabanov signed a try-out contract with top Elitserien team Farjestad BK. The 19-years-old Russian winger was among the last cuts of the New York Islanders. To shed some light on this unexpected event, RHF talked with EliteProspect's admin Johan Nillson, a Swedish hockey expert. What is Kirill Kabanov's reputation in Sweden? You know that in Russia and in North America he had some problems, how is all this in a "neutral" country like Sweden? Kabanov is not overly known in Sweden, but for those that have indeed heard about him, I think they believe he is somewhat of a "problem child" with some diva tendencies. As we know Kabanov has a contract up to November 6th. What do you think, does he ...

Jul32010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Alexander Avtsin parts with Dynamo Moscow

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Alexander Avtsin parts with Dynamo Moscow (Photo © rds.ca) From RussianProspect.com Alexander Avtsin and Dynamo Moscow decided to break the player's contract as he wants to try and get a spot with the Canadiens, as reported by Sport-Express. During the last couple of months there was a lot of speculation around Avtsin's contract as he was under contract with Dynamo, but now he decided to report to North America. Avtsin, 19, will skate in next week's rookie camp with the Habs, and then will skate in the main team's training camp in late August. The promising right winger had three goals and six assists with Dynamo last year, but a wrist injury in January prematurely ended his season.

Jun242010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Kirill Kabanov’s free fall

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Kirill Kabanov's free fall (Photo © cyberpresse.ca) Many pages have been inked about the once thought to be one of the prime candidates for the 2010 Entry Draft #1 overall pick, Russian , as he has experienced a serious downhill fall after his departure to Canada this fall. During the 2008-09 season the talented winger got the first taste of pro hockey experience skating in a bunch of regular season and playoff games (and getting knocked out by a hit from former NHL defenseman Vitaly Vishnevsky) with Spartak Moscow, then scored eleven points in the 2009 U18 WJC, being thus outscored by and Evgeny Kuznetsov. Getting to America He was then picked up in the 2009 CHL Import Draft by the Moncton Wildcats, and the first controversy arose. As Salavat Yulaev bought his KHL rights from Spar...

Jun242010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Announcing Russian Prospect.com

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Announcing Russian Prospect.com (Photo © Getty Images) We have started a new site dedicated to Russian prospects, RussianProspect.com. We have compiled a list of Top Russians for the upcoming draft along with players' profiles (History, Talent Analysis and Future). 1. , 9D 2. , 8.5B 3. , 8.5B 4. , 8.5C 5. , 8B 6. , 8C 7. , 7.5B 8. , 7.5C 9. , 7C 10. , 7C 11. Nikita Gusev, 7D For now the site has profiles for the top Russian players available for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, but during the summer the site will be upgraded and it will have profiles of older and younger players, news, interviews and more scout reports, to give our readers the best coverage of Russian prospects available on the internet. The "Prospects" section of Russian Hockey Fans will be shut down.

Jun182010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Nikita Zaytsev: “I liked interviews with Flyers and Blackhawks”

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Nikita Zaytsev: "I liked interviews with Flyers and Blackhawks" (Photo © Elena Rusko) 2010 eligible Nikita Zaytsev, playing for Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL, stated that Philadelphia and Chicago were the most interested teams during the recent NHL Draft Combine. In this interview by allhockey.ru he talked about the tests, about the draft itself and stated that he plans to play in the KHL the 2010-11 season. RussianHockeyFans.com offers you a translation. Not long ago you underwent the NHL Combine process, traditionally held about one month prior the NHL Draft. When did you know that they invited you there? Zaytsev: "I was having a holiday in Turkey and my father called me. He told me that they called me for the tests on May 22nd and I had to fly to Toronto." Not long ago you underwent the ...

Jun182010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Dynamo’s GM: Avtsin is under contract with us

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Dynamo's GM: Avtsin is under contract with us (Photo © khl.ru) In spite of the recent news it looks like Alexander Avtsin will spend the 2010-11 season in the KHL with Dynamo Moscow. Dynamo's General Manager Andrei Safronov declared through the team's official site that all the young players remain property of the new formed OHC Dynamo and all contracts are valid. "At the end of May the KHL confirmed that all the contracts with our players are valid. Our youngsters will stay. Avtsin and Dvurechensky have a contract up to April 2011 and 2012 respectively. Anton Krysanov (Phoenix Coyotes) and Andrei Plekhanov (Columbus Blue Jackets) are among the group of players that will skate in the team's training camp in Belarus. We will part with Pavel Valentenko. He has a big contract and we can't aff...

Jun112010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Agent Ilya Moliver: “Kabanov’s problem is his father”

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Agent Ilya Moliver: "Kabanov's problem is his father" (Photo © saintjohnseadogs.com) As widely reported in the last few days, and his agent JP Barry parted ways. "I wish Kirill all the best", Barry told The Hockey News. "It just wasn’t a fit. We advised him to seek other representation." The collaboration between Kabanov and Barry (whose agency works with, for example, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Sergei Gonchar) lasted a few months only. They helped Kabanov in the preparation toward the upcoming NHL Draft and the NHL Draft Combine. But they refused to work with him any longer. Before Barry there were three agents with whom Kabanov had parted ways, Don Meehan (and his Russian representative Sergei Isakov), Jay Grossman and Scott Greenspun (Alexei Kovalev's agent). Russian p...

Jun62010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

Sergei Gaiduchenko traded to CSKA Moscow

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

Sergei Gaiduchenko traded to CSKA Moscow (Photo © khl.ru) Florida Panthers' prospect Sergei Gaiduchenko has been traded to CSKA Moscow prior the 2010 KHL Entry Draft in exchange of a first round pick. Gaiduchenko, 21, spent the last year with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, playing 20 regular season games as back up of Georgi Gelashvili. His contract run out on Aprl 30st and wasn't renewed by Lokomotiv, thus making him a RFA. As he's going to join CSKA, most likely he won't transfer to the Panthers this summer. Read also: - Sergei Gaiduchenko: "You can't judge me by one game only" - Sergei Gaiduchenko: I have a chance to move on as Florida drafted me

Jun22010 by Gary LawsNo Comments

ISS Final Rankings: Tarasenko #4, Burmistrov #14, Kuznetsov #19, Galiev #24

Russian Prospects Profiles, Reports and News

ISS Final Rankings: Tarasenko #4, Burmistrov #14, Kuznetsov #19, Galiev #24 (Photo © sportbox.ru) The International Scouting Services announced its final rankings for the upcoming 2010 NHL Entry Draft. , playing for Sibir of the KHL, is the highest ranked European, having the 4th spot in the rankings. There are three more Russian prospects in the Top 30, they are: 14. (OHL, Barrie Colts) 19. (KHL, Traktor Chelyabinsk) 24. (QJMHL, Saint John Sea Dogs) The notorious has fallen out of the Top 30.