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NHL Draft 2016

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Non-stop Auston Matthews gab on local sports talk radio today.

The current Leafs regime has done an incredible job of managing expectations, I have to say. There was barely a squawk last season as the team finished last overall. They were told to expect pain - there was pain - fans made the best of it. Often found looking for positives, Leafs fans this past season.

Previous year with basically the same results - hysteria of the shrillest kind.

In years past, there would be feverish predictions of Matthews leading them to the playoffs his first year, maybe the final 4 - but peeps right now are remarkably restrained. Sensible, you might even say.
 
All right Eggs! They got themselves the young Russian German Rubstov! Hopefully he becomes the next Bobby Clarke! MrsM was even watching!

german-rubtsov-of-russia-skates-against-canada-black-during-the-world-picture-id460241096


Center Shoots Left
Born June 27 1998 Chekhov, Russia
Height 601 Weight 174 lbs

German Rubtsov plays a strong two-way game, highlighted by his strong hockey sense. Offensively he makes smart plays with the puck, showing off good vision, and excellent anticipation of where his teammates will be. This makes him a very good playmaker. Rubtsov has the ability to control and protect the puck with excellent stick handling. He is very patient and slows the game down, waiting for teammates to get open and then making tape-to-tape passes to the now open teammates. He also has the ability to find soft areas in the defence and get open to make a play, or take a one-timer. He has a good arsenal of shots, including a strong wrist shot, snap shot and slap shot. He gets his shots off quickly with an excellent release. Rubtsov shows a high compete level, he battles hard for loose pucks and is effective at forcing defencemen into mistakes on the forecheck.

Rubtsov is a good skater. He has the ability to handle the puck well moving at top speed. His shiftiness and excellent agility, allows him to get by defenders, or to open up passing lanes. He is strong on the puck, and shows excellent lower body strength and balance. This allows him to work well along the boards, and in the cycle game. Rubstov can even improve in this as he continues to add lower body strength. He could also stand to work on his first step quickness and his startup. Hes really improved other areas of his skating, but the first step is still cause for some concern.

German Rubtsov shows a real commitment to playing defensive hockey. He is often used as the Russians top shot down centre, playing against other teams top lines. His hockey sense and positioning are excellent, as he reads the play well and anticipates where plays are headed. Rubtsov shows his dogged puck pursuit in all three zones. In addition to playing against top lines, he also works extremely well on the penalty kill. Add to this, a strong ability in the faceoff circle, and Rubtsov will be a coachs dream.

German Rubtsovs game should translate well to the NHL level, and he could soon find himself in the top six for the team that drafts him. There are some questions, such as his involvement in the meldonium scandal in Russia, and the ever present Russian Factor, where teams must determine how soon he will be willing to leave the MHL and KHL behind, and head to North America. Still the potential here is high, and it is expected that he will be a first round pick. In terms of style (not talent level) Rubtsov compares well with Frans Nielsen of the New York Islanders.
 
Rated as 3rd best draft result from this article! :up:

3. Philadelphia Flyers: GM Ron Hextall made 10 picks in seven rounds, and the consensus seemed to be the Flyers had two strong days at the draft table.

The key player is Russian center German Rubtsov. Think of a dogged determined center, said TSN.ca draft expert Craig Button.

How much offense will he create? Lots, Button said. Hes not (Pavel) Datsyuk. But hes a purposeful, dog-on-the-bone competitor. Smart. Smart. Smart.

The Flyers also used a second-round pick to grab Quebec Major Junior Hockey League standout Pascal Laberge who was projected to go in the first round. Hes a skater and a scorer. They also added Western Hockey Leagues Carter Hart, one of the top two goalies in the draft.
 
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