hockey agent Dan Milstein in an interview with , he explained the attitude towards young Russian players of North American club managers this year.
The NHL Draft will take place June 28-29 in Nashville.
The NHL Rookie Draft is just around the corner. What can we expect?
“NHL teams are expecting this to be an outstanding draft. If in previous years some clubs have waved goodbye to the top of the first round quite easily, then the 2023 draft should be so strong that almost any player in the first round can become a superstar,” Milstein told .
– Nevertheless?
— Yes, the whole top 32. And even some of the favourites, who now occupy the top of the standings, can slip to the second round. And we will definitely see Russian players going lower than expected from them. And many decent guys from Russia won’t be drafted this year.
– Why?
– Not because Russophobia roams America. This is not true at all, do not believe the rumors. The problem is that young players, for obvious reasons, could not show up either at the Glinka memorial or at the junior or junior world championships. Now North American scouts practically do not fly to Russia, so they do not see our young people with their own eyes. Except on the internet.
Also, not every guy from Russia will be able to come to the draft in June, where they will take physical tests, go to in-person interviews and communicate with club officials.
Remember, the Russians weren’t drafted into Canada’s junior leagues last year. That is, new faces did not appear. And there is hardly any access to see young Russians live.
Source : MatchTV
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