NHL Draft: 3 Russians selected in 1st round amid concerns
Geese common supervisor Pat Verbeek offered a easy reply concerning his resolution to pick defenseman Pavel Mintyukov tenth within the NHL draft amid growing issues over Russian-born prospects’ availability to play in North America due to points stemming from the warfare in Ukraine.
“The expertise is simple,” Verbeek stated shortly after making the choice on Thursday night time. “We’re trying to get our franchise getting into the correct route, in the direction of profitable the Stanley Cup, and we predict this participant is basically going to assist us get there.”
Verbeek wasn’t alone in his pondering on an evening three Russians have been chosen among the many 32 picks, with the ultimate six rounds of the draft in Montreal being held on Friday.
Following Mintyukov’s choice, the Washington Capitals select ahead Ivan Miroshnichenko twentieth, adopted by the Minnesota Wild taking proper wing Danila Yurov 4 picks later.
All three attended the draft and have been projected to go within the first spherical, although questions were raised as as to if their draft inventory would possibly fall due to journey restrictions out and in of Russia and Belarus and the dearth of a switch settlement between the NHL and Russian-based Kontinental Hockey League.
NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr went as far as to say a mock draft carried out by his workers completed with Russians being shut out of the primary spherical for the primary time since 2005.
Fears have been heightened additional final week, when Philadelphia Flyers goalie prospect Ivan Fedotov was instantly assigned to a distant navy base in northern Russia, in accordance with the participant’s agent, J.P. Barry. Chosen within the seventh spherical of the 2015 draft, Fedotov signed with the Flyers in Might after finishing his contract with CSKA Moscow within the KHL.
Miroshnichenko’s scenario is extra difficult as a result of his junior season in Russia was reduce quick after being recognized with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in March. He has since been cleared to renew enjoying.
“Only a great feeling. Such an excellent group,” he stated by way of an interpreter.
Capitals common supervisor Brian MacLellan stated he and his workers have been “considerably comfy” in deciding on Miroshnichenko based mostly on having crew medical doctors evaluation the participant’s medical report.
“Our guys thought the upside was price taking the chance concerned. He’s a extremely good participant,” MacLellan stated. “Hopefully, it really works out and we’ve bought a extremely good participant on our fingers.”
Whereas there has at all times been a danger of Russian gamers electing to remain residence, Mintyukov’s want to play North America was extra clear after he spent final season with Saginaw of the Ontario Hockey League.
Although Miroshnichenko and Yurov have solely performed in Russia, they have been chosen by groups with a historical past of drafting and growing Russians.
The warfare in Ukraine and standing of Russian gamers in North America have change into delicate topics across the league. A number of brokers who signify Russian gamers have declined remark, whereas NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman selected his phrases rigorously when addressing the matter on Thursday.
He reiterated the NHL has issued no directives to groups over whether or not or not they’ll draft Russian gamers. He then sidestepped a query concerning the league having issues of gamers being barred to go away upon touring to Russia.
“I feel it’s in all probability not a good suggestion for us or golf equipment to get entangled within the politics of what’s occurring in Russia,” Bettman stated.
“I don’t need to say something that might be misconstrued or trigger an irritation of a delicate scenario,” he added. “The Russian gamers who nonetheless reside in Russia have to be sure that they’re making the absolute best choices for themselves and their households.”
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AP Hockey Author Stephen Whyno contributed to this story.
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