I believe the agent group for Panarin is Veritas Hockey. They tweeted the confirmation of his signing.

This the wrong Erik Gustafsson you want the one that was drafted by Edmonton in 2012..
- BILLYFROM

ESPN article on the new Swedish defenseman.
http://espn.go.com/blog/c...efenseman-erik-gustafsson

My guesses:
1. NHL execs don't want to spend picks on players they don't think will ever come to North America. Add in the fact the draft is a crap shoot much of the time anyway...and a GM would rather have a kid they can keep an eye on in the OHL/AHL/College/WCHL etc. than one that is playing in Russia someplace. Easier to scout the NA players too. Closer to your traditional scouting routes.
2. A couple of years ago the KHL was pushing to become the number 2 hockey league on the planet. Russian oil money was helping to keep Russian players at home.
3. When teams would have looked at this kid, 6-7 years ago, he was probably smaller than he is reported now and didn't have the high end skill. Clearly he has blossomed if you look at his stats. His first couple years were meh.

I have one question, who is this kid's agent? I thought I read somewhere he is affiliated with Tuevo's agent? This is not confirmed...but thought I saw something someplace?
- MNHawk

He's with Veritas. Teravainen is with Acme I believe.

The more I think about this series, the more I think about what seems to be in my mind the real issue - the play in the Hawks defensive zone.

MIN is dangerous around the crease. The CHI D is not. In fact, sloppy play in the CHI D zone results in more snafus and shifts in game momentum than any other element of their game. Stick over body, outlets through the slot instead of the boards, and an inability to clear the zone usually result in very bad outcomes.

While forechecking hard in the O zone will wear down their D over time, the real risk is falling behind early, which this CHI has the penchant to do, and have difficulty rebounding from. No matter who is in the net, the CHI D mistakes almost always result in unrecoverable and high quality chances in the slot area.

My prescription for success in this series is feed Kane early and often, don't let Parise sniff ice below the dots, and make D zone play all about quick outs.
- Return of the Roar

Agreed.....and my MAJOR fear is....

With Keith and Rozsival paired together the Wild will be all over Keith forcing him to give up the puck to Rozsival and that's where problems begin. Same with Seabrook and Timonen.

hate to keep beating a dead horse but 32/44 are going to be exploited and exploited badly. If the Wild watch tape they will see how slow those 2 are, and how prone they are to bad coverage and bad turnovers. At the WORST on the forecheck you will get a PP as 44 can't keep up with the pace.

Just mind numbing that Q won't make a change there. I know 5 is bad. I know 26 is fringe player, but both are quicker then 44 and at this point....can't be ANY worse then 44 and that's saying a helluva lot about 5 who is B-A-D.

I believe the agent group for Panarin is Veritas Hockey. They tweeted the confirmation of his signing.
- tredbrta

Thanks. Can't find the reference I thought I saw. Old age I guess....

Thanks for including the Panarin stuff, John. I can't state enough how big of a deal this signing is. I really feel like this could end up being this decade's version of the Patrick Sharp "steal" that helps set the team up for (more) success. Different method (FA vs trade), but hopefully the same end result.

I believe the agent group for Panarin is Veritas Hockey. They tweeted the confirmation of his signing.
- tredbrta

Panarin's KHL club, SKA St. Petersburg, has also confirmed the signing.

It seems Versteeg is not at practice today. I wonder why?

Thanks for including the Panarin stuff, John. I can't state enough how big of a deal this signing is. I really feel like this could end up being this decade's version of the Patrick Sharp "steal" that helps set the team up for (more) success. Different method (FA vs trade), but hopefully the same end result.
- BreakoutHockey

All looks good on paper, but I am real hard to convince that any player who has never stepped on an NHL rink can be considered anything but a prospect at best until they get real playing time.

Thanks for including the Panarin stuff, John. I can't state enough how big of a deal this signing is. I really feel like this could end up being this decade's version of the Patrick Sharp "steal" that helps set the team up for (more) success. Different method (FA vs trade), but hopefully the same end result.
- BreakoutHockey

BOH, thanks for your insights on the KHL and these players. Where has Mjulqvest been? Love his views from Finland too.

All looks good on paper, but I am real hard to convince that any player who has never stepped on an NHL rink can be considered anything but a prospect at best until they get real playing time.
- Return of the Roar

Agreed. I'm sure we'll get a look at the prospect camp later in the summer/early fall.

Agreed. I'm sure we'll get a look at the prospect camp later in the summer/early fall.
- MNHawk

Doubtful. He'll be at training camp, but there's no sense bringing him to prospect camp if it's NHL or bust. The only reason he'd be there is if he or the team feels it will help him acclimate to NHL sized ice.

Doubtful. He'll be at training camp, but there's no sense bringing him to prospect camp if it's NHL or bust. The only reason he'd be there is if he or the team feels it will help him acclimate to NHL sized ice.
- Sandus

That's what I'm thinking.

True enough on the Makarov comparison but the nice thing about Panarin (along with Baun, Paliotta, Kero now Gustafsson) is that they are getting these guys without giving up any draft picks or other assets...

Paliotta was a draft pick.

In case anyone else couldn't get there from the link in the blog, here's the link to the forum JJ referenced: http://hfboards.hockeysfu...read.php?t=1675767&page=2

Agreed.....and my MAJOR fear is....

With Keith and Rozsival paired together the Wild will be all over Keith forcing him to give up the puck to Rozsival and that's where problems begin. Same with Seabrook and Timonen.

hate to keep beating a dead horse but 32/44 are going to be exploited and exploited badly. If the Wild watch tape they will see how slow those 2 are, and how prone they are to bad coverage and bad turnovers. At the WORST on the forecheck you will get a PP as 44 can't keep up with the pace.

Just mind numbing that Q won't make a change there. I know 5 is bad. I know 26 is fringe player, but both are quicker then 44 and at this point....can't be ANY worse then 44 and that's saying a helluva lot about 5 who is B-A-D.
- SteveRain

Why do I keep thinking that Stephen Johns has been told to have his cell phone with him and on high volume ring at all times for the next month?

All looks good on paper, but I am real hard to convince that any player who has never stepped on an NHL rink can be considered anything but a prospect at best until they get real playing time.
- Return of the Roar

a) yes that's true b) literally every NHL player was, at some point, a guy who had never stepped on an NHL rink. Not an instant disqualifier.

Why do I keep thinking that Stephen Johns has been told to have his cell phone with him and on high volume ring at all times for the next month?
- RickJ

Johns would be a better option RIGHT NOW than 32 or 44. He has been fantastic in Rockford, especially over the last few months. Had another great game last night, including the OT winner just 23 seconds in. He is also in the top 3 in the AHL in plus-minus. Best of both worlds - great skater who is big and nasty.

Johns would be a better option RIGHT NOW than 32 or 44. He has been fantastic in Rockford, especially over the last few months. Had another great game last night, including the OT winner just 23 seconds in. He is also in the top 3 in the AHL in plus-minus. Best of both worlds - great skater who is big and nasty.
- BreakoutHockey

It was a shame he was injured for a lot of the year. Oh well.

Johns would be a better option RIGHT NOW than 32 or 44. He has been fantastic in Rockford, especially over the last few months. Had another great game last night, including the OT winner just 23 seconds in. He is also in the top 3 in the AHL in plus-minus. Best of both worlds - great skater who is big and nasty.
- BreakoutHockey

Yup. I do not understand why they don't give him a shot over Timonen, Cusminsky, etc.

Yup. I do not understand why they don't give him a shot over Timonen, Cusminsky, etc.
- Bjm84

The playoffs are no time to give someone a shot. I wish they had brought him up for an extended look earlier this year, but it's way too late now.

With the Wild not exactly a bruising team, I'd give Cumiskey some time but I don't see it happening.

Great story about Scotty:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/st...ssible-journey-blackhawks

The playoffs are no time to give someone a shot. I wish they had brought him up for an extended look earlier this year, but it's way too late now.

With the Wild not exactly a bruising team, I'd give Cumiskey some time but I don't see it happening.
- RomanF

The thing is that he is ready and they just might be when you're essentially doing the same thing with a 40 year who is running on fumes.

I will say that 170lbs on a 23 year old is different than 170lbs on a 20 year old. Especially since it looks like he has a pretty solid weight training program over there.

Anyway, the guy looks like he has some serious explosion. Goes from stop to very fast in an impressive looking way. Nasty release as well. Very quick. Most of those were wristers too. Wow. I think that is the most encouraging part. Anyone want to start a pool to see how many times Foley calls him a Soviet?

Can't be worse than Versteeg. haha.

Related to this series: I really don't think Minnesota has the players to beat Chicago over 7 unless something catastrophic happens. Scoring early and scoring first is going to be key to the Hawks and opening up whatever obstinately boring scheme Yeo comes up with. When Tarasenko had a moderate amount of space he did serious damage. If not Kane then T2 ought to be able to exploit that right side when Suter is off the ice.

Versteeg is day to day with a LBI and Carcillo has been cleared to play. Looks like Versteeg may not be available and TT will take his spot (even though that is what has been shown in practice).