AROUND THE LEAGUE - 25-26

[UWSaint]

Almost as well…..but only in contract years.

The biggest knock on the majority of them has been inconsistency.

The trio you list, as well as Kucherov, Bure, and Datsyuk, are the only ones that immediately come to mind as those who were consistent.

Yeahbut plenty of non-Russians were inconsistent and still seen as leaders.

For example, Dustin Brown got lots of media hand jobs for his leadership, and his play was generally inconsistent.

[Meds]

Almost as well…..but only in contract years.

The biggest knock on the majority of them has been inconsistency.

The trio you list, as well as Kucherov, Bure, and Datsyuk, are the only ones that immediately come to mind as those who were consistent.

Yeahbut plenty of non-Russians were inconsistent and still seen as leaders.

For example, Dustin Brown got lots of media hand jobs for his leadership, and his play was generally inconsistent.

This is true.

But which Russian players have led in ways other than scoring/offensive play driving? Brown’s scoring was inconsistent because he wasn’t a talented player. He was a workhorse. A heavy hitting Trevor Linden, if you will, but observably with less hockey skill.

I can’t think of many middle-6 calibre Russians who set the pace of a game or rallied their teammates the way a player like Brown, or more present-tense, Adam Lowry, do.

[UWSaint]

Don't forget Tryamkin.



Yeah.

Zubov.

There's a good foundation for conversation here.

I remember Zubov (and Gonchar iirc) being good defensemen, but I didn’t watch them enough to comment on them as leaders/pushers who put the team on their back in the playoffs.

Tryamkin though…..he was a stretch (see wot)

Zubov and Gonchar were very good defenseman, and Zubov in particular struck me as terribly underrated.

I think its quite possible language factors into the "leadership" equation. Russian players (as a general rule) and other eastern europeans typically have less english fluency when compared to other Europeans.

Makes me think of Panarin -- another Russian player of remarkable on ice consistency. When he signed his deal in New York, he still spoke very little English (at least to the media).

[donlever]

I would suggest people in Detroit would debate the subject with you Mëds.

Add Fetisov & Konstantinov to the previously supplied Wing list.

Leading can occur in any number of ways as you well know.

[UWSaint]

Almost as well…..but only in contract years.

The biggest knock on the majority of them has been inconsistency.

The trio you list, as well as Kucherov, Bure, and Datsyuk, are the only ones that immediately come to mind as those who were consistent.

Yeahbut plenty of non-Russians were inconsistent and still seen as leaders.

For example, Dustin Brown got lots of media hand jobs for his leadership, and his play was generally inconsistent.

This is true.

But which Russian players have led in ways other than scoring/offensive play driving? Brown’s scoring was inconsistent because he wasn’t a talented player. He was a workhorse. A heavy hitting Trevor Linden, if you will, but observably with less hockey skill.

I can’t think of many middle-6 calibre Russians who set the pace of a game or rallied their teammates the way a player like Brown, or more present-tense, Adam Lowry, do.

Players who "set the pace" by being undertalented workhorses who hit stuff are among the most regularly overrated players in the game.... I think the Kings win their cups without Dustin Brown (IMO). The Jets are playoff disappointments; thanks for the leadership, Adam..

I'm not saying that these players or this style has no value on a team. To the contrary, I think every team needs players like this. But I just don't think there marginal impacts on the game vs. the next guy who plays that way are all that great. Maybe I shouldn't say the Kings win their cups without Dustin Brown and should say the Kings would have won their cups with 2024-25 Kiefer Sherwood instead of Dustin Brown.

[donlever]

Makes me think of Panarin -- another Russian player of remarkable on ice consistency. When he signed his deal in New York, he still spoke very little English (at least to the media).

Yeah, this speaks to the point I just addressed with Mëds.

Our "from afar" perception of leadership is not well versed enough as we do not see behind closed doors or in the room activity.

These guys that "can't speak English" oft speak efficiently enough with the boys.

A guy like Malkin not so much but many others are quick with the Mi No Hablo Ingles when it is not necessarily factual.

[UWSaint]

Our "from afar" perception of leadership is not well versed enough as we do not see behind closed doors or in the room activity.

And this is yet another good topic. Do you ever wonder how many of the vaunted leaders didn't really inspire their teammates, and actually a lot of them considered the player a dick? The media loves a story and a box, and once in the leadership box, a guy stays there. More evidence can't displace the myth. See Messier.... And then then converse is true. The guys who are "too quiet" for leadership, aren't great marketers for the team or the game -- how many of those guys are the guys who have the admiration & respect of every single teammate they've played with?

[Megaterio Llamas]

Kirill Kaprizov signs an eight-year, $136M extension with the Wild (17mil aav)

and the next wave of salary increases starts - I'm sure it won't affect ticket prices....

Yeah, Quinn Hughes was recently voted as the 6th best player in the league, two spots ahead of Kaprizov. How is our cap situation looling in two years? I imagine we need to make sure we have the space, lots of it.

Mr Aquilini is going to tap out in that situation. He won't be able to get there.

[donlever]

Mr Aquilini is going to tap out in that situation. He won't be able to get there.

Lol, still riding Frankie hard eh Megs?!

You privy to the arena seat fiasco at all??

Sometimes we are a real gong show outfit.....

And this is yet another good topic. Do you ever wonder how many of the vaunted leaders didn't really inspire their teammates, and actually a lot of them considered the player a dick?

Right, most everyone that played with Messier (journalistic licence taken) and, not to bring it up again for debate, but more locally Miller.

The guys who are "too quiet" for leadership, aren't great marketers for the team or the game -- how many of those guys are the guys who have the admiration & respect of every single teammate they've played with?

My guess is Hughes is a far more vocal leader behind closed doors whereas on the ice he moreso let's his play do the talking.

Bob Gainey for old schoolers.

[Todd Bersnoozi]

Kirill Kaprizov signs an eight-year, $136M extension with the Wild (17mil aav)

Man, EP40 contract looking like a steal now. Guess JR & Co. knew what they were doing when they locked him up.

[donlever]

Go away for 6 months and EP goes from being discussed in the same sentence as Datsyuk to now Kaprizov.

[donlever]

Nice work if you can get it.

[Meds]

I would suggest people in Detroit would debate the subject with you Mëds.

Add Fetisov & Konstantinov to the previously supplied Wing list.

Leading can occur in any number of ways as you well know.

I’m sure they would. I’ll be the first to say that I did not watch that era of the Detroit Red Wings, outside of some of their games against Vancouver (I’m a decade behind most of you reprobates after all), therefore I only know of these guys from my hockey cards.

And yes, leading can occur in many ways.

[Cornuck]

FYI Everyone is welcome to sign for our annual pool

2025 Corner Hockey Pool is OPEN - SIGNUP

[5thhorseman]

You privy to the arena seat fiasco at all??

What's this about Donny?

I went to a preseason game this year. The seats had all been replaced with black ones (with cupholders, finally) but yet a few rows of red seats remain. Did someone not count correctly?

Welcome back.