I would now be very surprised if he didn’t come over after the KHL playoffs.It's a great sign that he may actually come over here and play. I couldn't help but think there was a chance that he would stay over there for whatever reason.
Take Alexander Nikishin, the captain of the club and the top prospect of the Carolina Hurricanes. After his many years of service to the organization, his representatives and SKA have come to an agreement that he would be able to leave early to join the Carolina Hurricanes for the NHL Playoffs.
“Unlike Alexander Nikishin, whom SKA agreed to release early for the NHL, Demidov does not have this option due to his MHL eligibility,” said the source on the subject.
Because of his age, he can only sign a 2 year ELC. If he plays this year, he’ll have to be re-signed after next season, along with Blake, Nadeau and Morrow. All will be under team control, none will be arbitration eligible. Will burning a year be a condition of signing, as it was with the college 3 last year? Who knows.Let's say that happens. How does this work? Do the Canes just roll the dice and dress him for the playoffs? Give him a look first then decide what to do with him?
I think the Canes will need to sign Nikishin and burn that ELC season and I suspect that they've already promised him that will happen. That gets him to a real contract sooner and he'll want that if he can get it ... and he's holding the cards. As for playing him right away ... God knows. You'd have to get him in, see what kind of shape he's in, see if he can cover man to man in the zone ... then you figure it out.Because of his age, he can only sign a 2 year ELC. If he plays this year, he’ll have to be re-signed after next season, along with Blake, Nadeau and Morrow. All will be under team control, none will be arbitration eligible. Will burning a year be a condition of signing, as it was with the college 3 last year? Who knows.
This ... and for God's sake, let's resist the urge to over-hype this. Nikishin's real impact will be on next season's defense group, NOT this season's. Even if he ends up playing this spring. It is absolutely unreasonable to expect any player to be at or near his best in these circumstances.With the differences transferring to NA and to RBA's system, just get him over, get him practicing and make no promises he'll play this year barring injuries.
I’d set my expectations a little lower. Like Steve Halko low.Sooooo...don't expect him to be better than Cale Makar by April 30th? Fine.
Captain Toast. Or, as our old friend Hurricane Camille called him, Poor Steve.Sarge!
I'm already seeing people making stupid comparisons and setting stupid expectations. Just don't be stupid is all I'm saying.Sooooo...don't expect him to be better than Cale Makar by April 30th? Fine.
Too late for most of us.I'm already seeing people making stupid comparisons and setting stupid expectations. Just don't be stupid is all I'm saying.
As in not winning a Cup until he's 80 and with another team?Wait, he isn't the next Ray Bourque?