ROUND 2: All offense, but not defense from the Russian contingent.
The second round of the 2003 Entry Draft saw five more players from the former Soviet Union being selected by NHL clubs. Interestingly, all seven players selected in the first two rounds of the draft were forwards, with Russia’s top eligible defensemen being kept off the draft sheets.
As the first round wrapped up and the last name was being called, Konstantin Glazachev shrugged, and smiled. Not eating all morning, he couldn’t handle it any more and we made our
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Konstantin Glazachev at the post-selection interview. (Photo By: Yevgeniy (Eugene) Belashchenko |
way up to the concession stands. Glazachev, Naurov and Shafigullin got their slices and were munching outside when their agent came running out: “Kostya, you’ve been picked. Let’s go!” Glazachev rushed back down to the stands and made his way to the Nashville Predators table. In the media room the young man remained a true diplomat, smiling and happily answering all the questions, as if he did not get drafted more then 15 spots below expectations, and outside of the much coveted first round. To the questions regarding being drafted lower in the order then expected, Konstantin responded with a great answer, appeasing the local fans and management. “I am very pleased to be drafted by Nashville, and that is why I am not sad at being drafted 35th overall, despite my agent’s expectations that I would go no later then the 22nd pick.” For Nashville, this young player may have been quite a steal in the second round. Despite some questionable publicity he has received recently regarding his physical shape and diving during play, Konstantin Glazachev remains one of the best ’85 born forwards available in this year’s draft. He is a goal scorer, but is also very creative with the puck, able to create great scoring chances for his linemates. Skating has been the main knock on the talented winger, but it is an area where he still has time to improve.
The next pick from the former Soviet Union, Konstantin Pushkarev, caused some rumblings ever since his performance at the U18 World Junior Championships. Very little was known about the young sniper, as he spent most of the season playing for the junior team of a remote Upper League club in Ust Kamenogorsk.
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| Konstantin Pushkarev after being picked by the Los Angeles Kings 44th overall. (Photo By: Yevgeniy (Eugene) Belashchenko |
Pushkarev did peak the interest of several NHL clubs, which then fell in love with the youngster after the pre-draft interviews. During those interviews, the young man displayed confidence, without sounding abrasive or cocky. Reportedly, when a Kings official asked Pushkarev, as to why the NHL club should pick him, his response was: “I would much rather play for this great NHL club then against it.” The other two teams that actively pursued the right winger were Phoenix and Detroit. Phoenix was in the unfortunate situation of picking for the first time in the draft only in the third round. Wayne Gretzky himself acknowledged after the draft that Phoenix liked Pushkarev so much, they tried, unsuccessfully, to trade their three top picks for a late first round selection to pick the talented forward. Detroit was reportedly prepared to pick Pushkarev with their first pick, 64th overall, but the Kings snatched him with their 44th overall pick in the second round. The young forward has the skill, the attitude and the head on his shoulders to develop into the NHLer. His body is a bit behind, as he is 6’0, but weighs around 170 pounds, clearly needing to bulk up. Now signed by Avangard Omsk in Russia, Pushkarev will receive the coaching attention and nutrition necessary to continue his development.
The Russian contingent needed to wait just three more picks until the New York Islanders representative called Dmitri Chernykh’s name. Chernykh, who rose through the CSB rankings to almost the very top, was clearly disappointed to be selected so low in the draft. However, as it is often the case, talented players ranked highly by scouting agencies are not guarantied to hear their name in the first round. A speedy winger with great skill and good size, Chernykh delivered a solid season prior to the draft. The son of a former Russian Elite league veteran also surprised some reporters by responding to their questions in good English, without the need for a translator. However, his attitude regarding being selected late in the
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| Yevgeniy Tunik (left) and Dmitri Chernykh (right) after the post-selection interview (Photo By: Eugene (Yevgeniy) Belashchenko. |
draft was all over his face and clearly audible in his responses to the media. Attitude and heightened expectations may be the main issue with this prospect. Reportedly, the young winger left Khimik Voskresenk, the club that raised him and where his father played during his best years, stating that he has outgrown the organization and wanted to move on. Chernykh signed with CSKA Moscow and will now compete under the tutelage of the legendary Viktor Tikhonov. It is unlikely that the iron handed Russian coach will tolerate any insubordination, so, despite the way it was carried out, the young wingers transfer from Khimik to CSKA may have been just what the doctor ordered.
After selecting Chernykh, the New York Islanders used another second round pick to select Russian forward, Yevgeniy Tunik. A hulking forward with great hands, Tunik was very pleased to be selected in the second round and by the same club as Chernykh. The two forwards signed with CSKA and will be playing together with the Super League club next season. Elektrostal’s best sniper this past season, the ’84 born Tunik certainly made up for being too old to compete on Russia’s U18 squad by putting up many goals in Russia’s Upper League. He also performed quite well at the first warm up tournament of Russia’s 2004 U20 squad in St. Petersburg, where he was tournament’s top sniper.
As the second round was winding down, Igor Mirnov’s name was still conspicuously missing from the board. The young right winger was projected to be drafted late in the first or early in the second round for most of the season, but towards the end of the second round a club was yet to call his name. The young forward did not attend the draft and hence did
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Igor Mirnov after a practice with Russia’s ’84 squad during 2001-02 season (Photo By: RussianProspects.com exclusive). |
not undergo interviews with NHL clubs, which likely degraded his stock. Finally, the Ottawa Senators selected Mirnov with their 67th overall pick late in the second round. As with Kaigorodov last year, the Senators used a modest pick to acquire a talented Russian with great potential, who was projected to go in the first round. Granted, Mirnov will not likely be an impact player of Kaigorodov’s caliber, but his overall skill level and booming shot are definitely of NHL caliber.
Player Capsules
Konstantin Glazachev
2nd Round: 35th Overall
NHL Club: Nashville Predators
HF Outlook: Glazachev will return to Russia and continue skating in Lokomotiv’s main lineup. While he successfully inserted himself into Lokomotiv’s roster last season, things can change and the young forward needs to prove this season that he belongs at the Super League level. Nashville should let Glazachev develop in Russia for at least another couple seasons. While he already has a solid foundation, he still has ways to grow mentally and physically.
Konstantin Pushkarev
2nd Round: 44th Overall
NHL Club: Los Angeles Kings
HF Outlook: Pushkarev signed with Avangard Omsk and will skate for the club this coming season. He stands a good chance of sticking in the lineup, because the Super League club’s new coach, Sergei Gersonskiy, started coaching in Ust Kamenogorsk, Pushkarev’s hockey school and home town.
Dmitri Chernykh
2nd Round 48th Overall
NHL Club: New York Islanders
HF Outlook: Chernykh has performed very well last year in his limited, third line role with Khimik Voskresensk. D uring the off-season he has joined CSKA Moscow. He will not likely have a high profile role with the club, but should earn a spot on the third or fourth line, depending where he fits in. Right now the young forward has a lot to prove and may make a smooth transition to the Super League or may experience growing pains.
Yevgeniy Tunik
2nd Round 53rd Overall
NHL Club: New York Islanders
HF Outlook: Last season Yevgeniy Tunik was too good to play in the Upper League, but failed to stick with two different Super League clubs. This coming season he will rejoin CSKA Moscow for his second attempt with the club, and his return signifies that he made a positive impression the first time around.
Igor Mirnov
2nd Round 67th Overall
NHL Club: Ottawa Senators
HF Outlook: Mirnov has spend his whole career in Dynamo Moscow’s uniform and just completed his first full season with the big club. He will remain with Dynamo this coming season and his role will likely remain on the club’s third line, though that line may see more ice time.
Yevgeniy (Eugene) Belashchenko