Really? I guess I should go watch...
- EKolb13

Luckily you don't have to watch for more than 5 seconds to see the guy's face and hear his voice.

I wonder if anybody can tell me if Maxim Shalunov is comming back next year to play for the IceHogs. He wound up being the top scorer for Toledo.
- spanky

Hard to tell. The Hogs recalled the likes of David Gilbert over him, and I'm pretty sure that guy is on his way out of the organization. The organization could give him another shot, but I doubt it will be on a two way contract. I think it would have to be on another AHL deal if he does stay.

Shalunov could just go back to Russia too. Being regulated to AA hockey for most of the season might influence Shalunov to just pack it in and go home.

Luckily you don't have to watch for more than 5 seconds to see the guy's face and hear his voice.
- prd797

Yeah, I caught that.

Hard to tell. The Hogs recalled the likes of David Gilbert over him, and I'm pretty sure that guy is on his way out of the organization. The organization could give him another shot, but I doubt it will be on a two way contract. I think it would have to be on another AHL deal if he does stay.

Shalunov could just go back to Russia too. Being regulated to AA hockey for most of the season might influence Shalunov to just pack it in and go home.
- EKolb13

Maybe that's more on Ted Dent than it is a reflection of Shalunov's play?

Hard to tell. The Hogs recalled the likes of David Gilbert over him, and I'm pretty sure that guy is on his way out of the organization. The organization could give him another shot, but I doubt it will be on a two way contract. I think it would have to be on another AHL deal if he does stay.

Shalunov could just go back to Russia too. Being regulated to AA hockey for most of the season might influence Shalunov to just pack it in and go home.
- EKolb13

Hawks have not had much luck with Russian players; was hoping maybe they had something with this kid.

By a mile for me...
- HawkintheD

Sad thing is I can't think of that many other good trades they made over the years. I loved Savard, but chelios really wound up being huge here. Curt fraser for graham wasn't that uneven for either team

Maybe that's more on Ted Dent than it is a reflection of Shalunov's play?
- prd797

Could be. I don't think he was given much of a chance here. Most of the time when he did play, he was stuck on the lower lines. There were a few glimpses of some promise where Shalunov could be dominant, but most of the time he looked lost out on the ice. Then there was the language barrier - he showed up in Rockford and didn't speak much English at all, except for maybe a few words.

Then he goes to Toledo and produces...

Could it be that the AHL was too high of a bar to start with? Or could it be that Shalunov's plateau is Double-A hockey? You also have to take into account that he never did play much in the KHL and spent most of his time in the minors in Russia. And then there's the language barrier thing, which you would have think it improved somewhat since spending a full season playing in the United States.

Hawks have not had much luck with Russian players; was hoping maybe they had something with this kid.
- HawkintheD

Same here.

Toledo is just down the interstate from you. Did you ever drive out to see him play there?

Florida Panthers with the #1 pick.

Florida Panthers with the #1 pick.
- mohel

At least it wasn't the phuckin' Oilers again.

Wonder if Dale can make the layup with that pick like he did with Toews and Kane?

Florida Panthers with the #1 pick.
- mohel

The Leaf dreams are crushed again. They thought getting Shanny gave em a chance.

Florida Panthers with the #1 pick.
- mohel

Buffalo must be pissed...

Florida Panthers with the #1 pick.
- mohel

One year too early

The Leaf dreams are crushed again. They thought getting Shanny gave em a chance.
- Elbows15

Some of the chuckleheads in the Vancouver thread were holding out hope the Canucks would get it...

At least it wasn't the phuckin' Oilers again.

Wonder if Dale can make the layup with that pick like he did with Toews and Kane?
- prd797

Yeah, poor them. They are 3rd. Buffalo was historically bad and still don't get the first pick. Though, they should end up with Reinhart, Ekblad or Bennett.

One year too early
- Ogilthorpe2

Right?

Yeah, poor them. They are 3rd. Buffalo was historically bad and still don't get the first pick. Though, they should end up with Reinhart, Ekblad or Bennett.
- Elbows15

I'd have to think Florida goes with Ekbald.

Some of the chuckleheads in the Vancouver thread were holding out hope the Canucks would get it...


- EKolb13

They also think Edler is good. Wtf do they know?

They also think Edler is good. Wtf do they know?
- Elbows15

I'd have to think Florida goes with Ekbald.
- EKolb13

I wouldn't. Reinhart would be the better pick. I was not impressed with Elblad at all from what I saw. Very clumsy looking. And D in the top 5 are very scary to me.

One year too early
- Ogilthorpe2

IMO. Being number 2 next year could be a blessing is disguise. Eichels or Hannifin could turn out being better than McDavid.

I wouldn't. Reinhart would be the better pick. I was not impressed with Elblad at all from what I saw. Very clumsy looking. And D in the top 5 are very scary to me.
- Elbows15

I'll take your word for it. Just glancing at Florida's talent pool, it seems to me they would have more of a need at defenseman.

But what the (frank) do I know about Florida's system? I'd ask over in the Panthers thread, but those guys are the cavemen of Hockeybuzz. Reading their posts makes it seem like they're still trying to discover how to make fire.

Could be. I don't think he was given much of a chance here. Most of the time when he did play, he was stuck on the lower lines. There were a few glimpses of some promise where Shalunov could be dominant, but most of the time he looked lost out on the ice. Then there was the language barrier - he showed up in Rockford and didn't speak much English at all, except for maybe a few words.

Then he goes to Toledo and produces...

Could it be that the AHL was too high of a bar to start with? Or could it be that Shalunov's plateau is Double-A hockey? You also have to take into account that he never did play much in the KHL and spent most of his time in the minors in Russia. And then there's the language barrier thing, which you would have think it improved somewhat since spending a full season playing in the United States.
- EKolb13

Yeah, was going to note that he did play in the minors last year.

I dunno, I still think it's notable enough that he even came over in the first place after playing at a lower level. Certainly appears to me that he was determined to work hard over here and improve on what he couldn't do to get in the KHL.

Maybe he tucks tail and runs home, but he's still young, and maybe some patience from both the kid and organisation could pay off.

I'll take your word for it. Just glancing at Florida's talent pool, it seems to me they would have more of a need at defenseman.

But what the (frank) do I know about Florida's system? I'd ask over in the Panthers thread, but those guys are the cavemen of Hockeybuzz. Reading their posts makes it seem like they're still trying to discover how to make fire.


- EKolb13

For me. I take the best player there. Not so much for need. You can never have too many good players. Like the Avs did. Jones made more sense. And he will be a good one, but MacKinnon is the better player.

Yeah, was going to note that he did play in the minors last year.

I dunno, I still think it's notable enough that he even came over in the first place after playing at a lower level. Certainly appears to me that he was determined to work hard over here and improve on what he couldn't do to get in the KHL.

Maybe he tucks tail and runs home, but he's still young, and maybe some patience from both the kid and organisation could pay off.
- prd797

We'll have to wait and see how it plays out. If I hear any scuttlebutt about it at the rink this weekend, I'll fill you all in.

If he stays, that's great. If he leaves, I won't be heartbroken.