Originally Posted by
rataylor22
Nichu easy, and if these boards are going to start being a constant hate on Russians based on one or arguably two players I'm going to have to leave them. Absolutely ridiculous. Yea, you should take Stephen Weiss over Datsyuk because Datsyuk is Russian too. Toffoli hasn't proven anything NHL-wise, will get less opportunity, less PP-time, worse linemates, far more low scoring and defensive system. Probably lower talent too.
I don't think there's anything wrong with opting for a non-Russian when the talents are close. Much of what you're saying here is ludicrous.
"Toffoli hasn't proven anything NHL-wise" = He's got 22 games under his belt and has pretty respectable totals to kick things off (on a Cup-calibre team). What's "Nichu" done in the show?
"...will get less opportunity" = Toffoli's 12 playoff games last season say otherwise
"...less PP time" = he was getting PP2 time in his rookie year. What rationale do you have for thinking he won't get more? Or the same as Nichushkin? Again, Nichushkin hasn't even made the team yet.
"worse linemates" = Last time I checked, the Kings weren't half bad. And the Stars...well...
Also, Toffoli played some shifts with Richards and Kopitar. Nichushkin hasn't done a thing yet.
"far more low scoring and defensive system" = take a look -- the Kings outscored the Stars last season.
You can choose Nichushkin over Toffoli because you think he's a better player--if Toffoli didn't get NHL time last year, I'd agree with you-- but you're ridiculous if you criticize someone else for opting for a player who is close, but playing closer to home.
"In 2003-04, there were 64 Russians in the NHL, according to the IIHF. Last season, that number was nearly cut in half, with only 34 Russians playing in North America with NHL teams.
"We're a little more cautious on the Russian players now because they have the option of staying in the KHL," Carolina GM Jim Rutherford said in a recent interview.
"Because of the KHL, for the past two or three years, we haven't really been in the Russian market," added Detroit GM Ken Holland."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/previe...ott&id=5631851
If NHL GMs are reluctant to draft/sign Russian players, then it's completely fair for Fantasy GMs to do the same. Your Datsyuk/Weiss comparison was silly -- those two players aren't in the same ballpark. Oh, and Datsyuk did entertain thoughts of going to the KHL during the lockout.
The reality is that the Russian players have a very well-paid, fairly well-established league that serves as competition. If all else is equal, that's a pretty legit determining factor to consider when picking a guy. Get off your high horse.
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