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"CBJ"
Harrisburg, PA • United States • 23 Years Old • Male
As you could tell by the title of the article, this article is about Russian hockey players and what in the world is going on with them. Hockey is a business and for the apparent stereotype for Russians is to be number one. The question is whether or not these Russians are looking at that at this point in there careers. This article will look at four Russians in particular- Ilya Kovalchuk, Alex Radulov, Nail Yaukpov, and Nikita Zaitsev.

Let's start with the lone one in the NHL on this list. Nail Yaukpov, 22, was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers, and has one year remaining on his contract at $2.5 million. The young Russian forward has 48 goals and 107 points in his career in 287 games. His best performances seem to occur when he has played alongside a skilled forward, mainly Connor McDavid (before he got injured).

According to a Russian newspaper, the young forward has requested a trade out of Edmonton. This seems to be a surprise to seek and to others, not so much. The Oilers have no idea how they have fallen into this mess, and their new solution under new management is to move out guys that have not worked out and have value. The case seems to be they are looking at number one overall picks. To many, Edmonton should not have drafted Yaukpov first overall, and should have drafted current Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray. There was even discussion of Columbus moving the second overall pick to the New York Islanders for all their draft picks in 2012.

There was discussion of Yaukpov being moved since last year as he did not become the player he was projected to be. The Russian has gone through four different coaches in four years in Edmonton, and has been on different lines with different players. Last year, I heard there were teams like Columbus and Pittsburgh that were interested in him. The past two seasons, I have heard Arizona, Nashville and New Jersey. This year, I have heard Anaheim, Montreal (to be with former teammate Alex Galchenyuk) and Tampa Bay (for Jonathan Drouin). The Fourth Period has Buffalo, Carolina, Winnipeg, Montreal, Nashville, and New Jersey as teams interested in him.

From a Columbus standpoint, this means a forward they were looking to acquire is at their grasp now. The two questions are the price and the fit in the lineup for Yaukpov. If Edmonton wants a young prospect, especially a defenseman, a trade should be avoided. If a couple veteran players could be moved, like a Fedor Tyutin or Scott Hartnell plus a draft pick, that may work as the Oilers need veterans to help out the youngsters like McDavid, Hall, and Drasatil. The fit in the lineup depends on two things- who is on the roster and who is making the jump. The Jackets are loaded with prospects in the wing, and adding Yaukpov would add an additional road block for the young guys to get into the NHL.

Next on the list of Russians is a former number one overall draft pick back in 2001. There is discussion of Ilya Kovalchuk heading back to the NHL, but there are other reports saying he is going to play for the KHL expansion team in China. Kovalchuk was drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers, and was traded to the New Jersey Devils. In 2013, he retired to play in the KHL and earn more money sooner than over a 17 year period. If he come backs to the NHL, it is unknown whether New Jersey has rights to him or he can sign anywhere he wants. If he can, he could collect more money from an NHL team rather than a budget team like the Devils.

From a Columbus standpoint, he would give the Jackets an elite scoring winger with experience. The question comes down to how much he wants because if he wants a boatload of money, like $5.5-6 million, some teams might not want to sign him.

Next is the only defenseman on this list. Nikita Zaitsev. Zaitsev is an undrafted defenseman that has intentions on signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer. The 24 year old plays for CSKA Moscow of the KHL, and is battling Kovalchuk's former KHL team, SKA St. Petersburg in the playoffs. What this means for Columbus is a young talented defenseman is coming to play against them if he does sign with Toronto.

The final guy on the list is a teammate of Zaitsev and a former first round pick in 2004. Alex Radulov was drafted 12th overall by the Predators in '04, but has spent most of his career in the KHL to earn more money and have more ice time. Apparently, the Toronto Maple Leafs are pursuing the 29 year old winger as well. If Radulov chooses to come back to the NHL, he can sign wherever he wants as his entry level deal with Nashville expired and is a UFA after an off-ice incident during the playoffs in 2012. The Russian winger could change his mind on Toronto as they are a rebuilding team. If he signs with a team like Columbus, he would probably slide into a top nine role with ease, which could slow the development of Columbus' depth pool of young wingers in the farm system.

What are your thoughts on Russian players? The trade rumors? Check out my other Blue Jackets columns and comment below.

More to come…
July 19, 2021 12:41 PM ET | Delete
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Blog Archive

01 #038; No. 12
01 #038; No. 12
02 CBJ- Opting to Forget October
02 CBJ- Opting to Forget October
02 CBJ: Thoughts on Change
03 CBJ: Potential Options
03 CBJ: Potential Options
03 CBJ: Potential Options
03 Game No. 13- Columbus Blue Jackets @ San Jose Sharks
05 Post-Game Recap No. 13- Big Win
05 Game No. 14- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Los Angeles Kings
06 Game No. 15- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
06 Game No. 15- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
06 Game No. 15- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
07 CBJ Post-Game Recap- Game No. 14 (@LA) and Game No. 15: @ANA
07 CBJ Post-Game Recap- Game No. 14 (@LA) and Game No. 15: @ANA
07 CBJ: Catching Up With News
07 CBJ: Catching Up With News
11 Game No. 16- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Vancouver Canucks
12 CBJ Post Game Recap No. 16- Another Home Loss
13 CBJ- Catchup on the News
14 CBJ Game No. 18- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Arizona Coyotes
15 #038; No. 18
17 CBJ Game No. 19- Columbus Blue Jackets v. St. Louis BlueS
18 CBJ Post-Game No. 19- The Young Streak Continues
18 CBJ Post-Game No. 19- The Young Streak Continues
18 CBJ- Catch Up du jour
19 CBJ- Catchup No. 2
19 CBJ Game No. 20- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Ottawa Senators
19 CBJ Game No. 20- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Ottawa Senators
20 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Nashville Predators
20 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Nashville Predators
20 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Nashville Predators
20 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Nashville Predators
20 CBJ- New All Star Format and Thoughts
22 No. 21
22 CBJ- Bye Week and the Boom or Bust of It
22 CBJ- Injury Update
22 CBJ- Bye Week and the Boom or Bust of It
22 CBJ Game No. 22- Columbus Blue Jackets v. San Jose Sharks
22 CBJ Post-Game- No. 22
24 CBJ- Quarter Season Thoughts
25 CBJ Game No. 23- Columbus Blue Jackets v. New Jersey Devils
28 Rumor Blog
28 Rumor Blog
29 CBJ- Cross-Check Costs Columbus
30 #038; 25
30 #038; 25
30 CBJ- Johansen to Brooklyn??
04 CBJ-15 Things to Remember From 2015
05 CBJ- Rumor Chart UPDATED
05 CBJ Game No. 41- Minnesota Wild v. Columbus Blue Jackets
05 CBJ Post-Game No. 40- Capitalizing On Capitals
05 CBJ- Rumor Chart UPDATED
06 CBJ Post-Game No. 41- Wild End, Add to the Losses
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
06 CBJ- Catch Up to Start 2016
07 CBJ- New Year, New Blockbuster
07 CBJ- Kerby Rychel for Jonathan Drouin?
07 CBJ- Rumor Chart (Updated Following Day of Trades)
10 CBJ Post-Game No. 42/43- Home and Home Battle
10 CBJ Post-Game No. 42/43- Home and Home Battle
12 CBJ- Connuaton On Waivers
14 CBJ- Catchup (1/14/16)
15 CBJ-If the Season Ended Today
16 CBJ Game No. 46- Colorado Avalanche v. Columbus Blue Jackets
17 CBJ Post-Game No. 46- Late Push Helps
17 CBJ- Rumor Chart (1-17-16)
17 CBJ-Trade Rumors (1/17/16)
19 CBJ Game No. 47- Washington Capitals v Columbus Blue Jackets
20 CBJ Post-Game No. 47- Doubled Down
20 CBJ Post-Game No. 47- Doubled Down
21 CBJ Game No. 48- Calgary Flames @ Columbus Blue Jackets
21 CBJ- Future Top Defensive Pairs
21 CBJ- Other Young Defensemen
21 CBJ- Rumor Chart (1/21/16)
22 CBJ Post-Game No. 48- Bob Down, Team Out
23 CBJ Game No. 49- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
25 CBJ Post-Game No. 49- B's Best Blue Jackets
25 CBJ Game No. 50- Montreal Canadiens v. Columbus Blue Jackets
26 CBJ Post-Game No. 50- Hat Trick Helps Home Team
26 CBJ Game No. 51: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Montreal Canadiens
26 CBJ Game No. 51: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Montreal Canadiens
27 CBJ Post-Game No. 51- Looking Up
27 CBJ Post-Game No. 51- Looking Up
30 CBJ- All Star Game Predictions
30 CBJ- Center of Attention
30 CBJ- All Star Game Predictions
31 CBJ- Second Half Predictions
01 CBJ- General Thoughts on All Star Game and My Predictions
02 CBJ- Rumor Chart (2/2/16)
02 CBJ- Thoughts on Dennis Wideman
02 CBJ Game No. 52- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Edmonton Oilers
03 CBJ Post-Game No. 52- Last Place
03 CBJ- Solution Out There?
04 CBJ Game No. 53- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Vancouver Canucks
06 CBJ Post-Game No. 54- Close Call In Calgary
07 CBJ- Playing With Parody
09 CBJ Game No. 55- New York Islanders v. Columbus Blue Jackets
09 CBJ- Rumor Chart (Updated: 2/9/16
09 CBJ- Looking Into Loui
10 CBJ Post-Game No. 55- Collapse in Columbus
11 CBJ Game No. 56- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Anaheim Ducks
12 CBJ- Murray Staying
12 CBJ Post-Game No. 56- Out of Basement
12 CBJ- Tyutin To Detroit??
13 CBJ- Jack Johnson Rumors
13 CBJ- Seth Jones and Contract
13 CBJ Game No. 57- Ottawa Senators v. Columbus Blue Jackets
14 CBJ- Defensive Help Out There
14 CBJ Post-Game No. 57- Another Win
15 CBJ- Who Could Go?
16 CBJ Game No. 58- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
17 CBJ Post-Game No. 58- More Points, Even In Losses
18 CBJ- Rumor Chart (Updated: 2/18/2016)
18 CBJ- Last Season Repeats Itself
19 CBJ Game No. 49- Buffalo Sabers v. Columbus Blue Jackets
20 CBJ Post-Game No. 59- Blanked by Buffalo
20 NHL Trade Deadline Preview- Metropolitan Division
21 NHL Trade Deadline Preview Pt. 2- Atlantic Division
21 NHL Trade Deadline Preview Pt. 3- Central Division
22 NHL Trade Deadline Preview Pt. 4: Pacific Division
22 CBJ Game No. 60- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
22 CBJ Game No. 60- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
22 CBJ Game No. 60- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
23 CBJ Post-Game No. 60- Win In Beantown
23 CBJ-Making A Case For An Outdoor Game In Central Ohio
23 CBJ Game No. 61- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Detroit Red Wings
25 CBJ Post-Game No. 61- Comeback Costs Columbus Extra Point
26 CBJ Post Game No. 61- Hatty Helps; Hurts Devils' Chances
26 CBJ- Falk On Waivers, And Somehow Clears
26 CBJ Post Game No. 61- Hatty Helps; Hurts Devils' Chances
26 CBJ- Falk On Waivers, And Somehow Clears
26 CBJ- Bankruptcy Battle Worsens
26 CBJ- Goalie Going Soon?? Look at the Depth
27 CBJ Game No. 63- Florida Panthers v. Columbus Blue Jackets
27 CBJ Game No. 63- Florida Panthers v. Columbus Blue Jackets
27 Columbus Trades Scott Hartnell to Nashville for Kevin Fiala
28 CBJ Post-Game No. 63- Hot Streak Continues via Comeback
28 CBJ- The Monkey Is Off The Captain's Back
28 CBJ- Rumor Chart
29 CBJ Game No. 64- Columbus Blue Jackets @ New York Rangers
29 My Reactions to Trades- Deadline and Before (Longest Blog Pd
29 CBJ- Rumor Chart(2/29/16) Final Time Before the Draft.Enjoy!
29 CBJ- Quiet Deadline, But Bridge Boooone
01 CBJ Post Game No. 64- So Close, Yet So Far
02 CBJ- On Fire In February
03 CBJ- Three Guys on Team North America
03 CBJ- 75% Through
04 CBJ Game No. 65- Edmonton Oilers v. Columbus Blue Jackets
05 CBJ Post-Game No. 65- Seesaw Battle for Young Guns of NHL
05 CBJ Game No. 66- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Philadelphia Flyers
06 CBJ Post-Game No. 66- Tired and Ticked
07 CBJ- What Would Jones' Contract Look Like?
08 CBJ Game No. 67- Detroit Red Wings v. Columbus Blue Jackets
09 CBJ Post-Game No. 67- What An Upset + Bobrovsky is Returning
10 CBJ- Healthier Equals Better (Injuries)
11 CBJ Game No. 68- Columbus Blue Jackets v Pittsburgh Penguins
13 CBJ Game No. 69- Columbus Blue Jackets v Tampa Bay Lightning
13 CBJ Post-Game No. 68- Mr. Popper's Penguins Even Series
14 CBJ Post-Game No. 69- Blanked By Bolts; Tampa Sweeps Cbus
14 CBJ- Punch May Penalize Prout (But How Many Games??)
17 CBJ Game No. 70- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Detroit Red Wings
19 CBJ Post-Game No. 70- Wings Win Season Series
19 CBJ Game No. 71- Columbus Blue Jackets v. New Jersey Devils
20 CBJ Post-Game No. 71- Bjork Brings Back Win
20 CBJ Game No. 72- Columbus Blue Jackets @ New Jersey Devils
21 CBJ Post-Game No. 72- Devil Debuts Deflate Jackets
23 CBJ- Boll/Bellemare Incident Being Reviewed By League
23 CBJ Post-Game No. 73-Flying High Over Flyers via Comeback
26 #038; Prospects
26 Looking at the NCAA Ice Hockey Championships + Predictions
26 CBJ- Which Guy is Right for Columbus in 2016 NHL Draft
26 CBJ Post-Game No. 74- Canes Collect Points @ Cbus; Boll Gone
26 CBJ Game No. 75- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators
27 CBJ Post-Game No. 75- Preyed On By Predators
28 CBJ Game No. 76- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Washington Capitals
30 CBJ- Russians Relocating? What Does This Mean For CBJ + NHL
30 CBJ Post-Game No. 76- Washington Wins Winningest Trophy
03 CBJ P5: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Pittsburgh Penguins
03 CBJ P5: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Pittsburgh Penguins
04 CBJ P6: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators
04 CBJ P6: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators
04 CBJ P6: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Nashville Predators
04 CBJ- Cuts Continue (10-4-16)
05 CBJ Postgame No. 6: Overtime Continues Successful Preseason
05 CBJ- Cuts Continue (10/5/16)
05 CBJ Postgame No. 6: Overtime Continues Successful Preseason
06 CBJ P7: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
06 CBJ P7: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
06 CBJ P7: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
06 CBJ P7: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
08 CBJ P7: Slow Start Hurts Columbus in Preseason
08 CBJ P8: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Pittsburgh Penguins
12 NHL: Week of Retirement
12 CBJ: Contrast Between Two New Captains
12 NHL: What is Edmonton Doing?
12 CBJ: Savard Speculation
12 CBJ: Opening Night Rosters Set
12 CBJ: Opening Night Rosters Set
13 CBJ Game No. 1: Columbus Blue Jackets v. Boston Bruins
13 NHL: Predicting Standings- Who Makes and Misses Playoffs
13 NHL: Predicting Standings- Who Makes and Misses Playoffs
14 CBJ Post-Game No. 1: Underrated Rivalry; Comeback Loss
14 CBJ Post-Game No. 1: Underrated Rivalry; Comeback Loss
15 CBJ Game No. 2: Columbus Blue Jackets v. San Jose Sharks
17 CBJ Post-Game No. 2- West is Best
18 CBJ- Soupy Situation
19 CBJ- Notes from Around the League and the World
20 CBJ- Is Kekalainen on the Hot Seat?
21 CBJ Game No. 3- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Chicago Blackhawks
25 CBJ- Weekend of Wins; California Trip for Game Number Five
25 CBJ- Weekend of Wins; California Trip for Game Number Five
26 CBJ Post-Game No. 5: Kings Get Extra Point
27 CBJ Game No. 6: Columbus Blue Jackets @ San Jose Sharks
29 CBJ Game No. 7: Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
29 CBJ Post-Game No. 6- Power Outage; Sharks bite Blue Jackets
29 CBJ Post-Game No. 7- Strong Start Leads to Shutout; CBJ Win
29 CBJ Post-Game No. 7- Strong Start Leads to Shutout; CBJ Win
01 CBJ Game No. 8- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Dallas Stars
02 CBJ Post-Game No. 8- Up and Down, Jackets Get Extra Point
03 CBJ Happenings- Player Assignments
03 CBJ Happenings- Player Assignments
03 CBJ Happenings- Player Assignments
03 CBJ Happenings- Player Assignments
04 CBJ Game No. 9- Columbus Blue Jackets v Montreal Canadiens
05 CBJ Post-Game No 9- Double Digit Domination; 10-0 Win v Habs
05 CBJ Game No 10- Columbus Blue Jackets @ St. Louis Blues
06 CBJ Post-Game No. 10- Blue Jackets Get the Blues; OT Loss
07 CBJ- Seth Jones on IR with a Fractured Right Foot
07 CBJ- Seth Jones on IR with a Fractured Right Foot
08 CBJ- Can the Offense Keep Up?
09 CBJ Game No. 11- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Anaheim Ducks
10 CBJ Post-Game No. 11- Winning At Home
10 CBJ Game No. 12- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Boston Bruins
12 CBJ Post-Game No. 12- Fast and Furious Five: Unanswered Goal
14 CBJ Post Game Lucky No. 13- Home Domination Double Up
15 CBJ Game N. 14- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Washington Capitals
16 CBJ Post-Game No. 14- Comeback Columbus Costs Capitals Point
17 CBJ- Werenski for Calder
18 CBJ Game No. 15: Columbus Blue Jackets v. New York Rangers
19 CBJ Post-Game No. 15: Columbus Continues Streak
20 CBJ Game No. 16- Columbus Blue Jackets @ Washington Capitals
21 CBJ Post-Game No. 16- Final Minute Effort
21 CBJ Game No. 17- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Colorado Avalanche
21 CBJ Game No. 17- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Colorado Avalanche
22 CBJ Post-Game No. 17- One Point in Overtime
23 CBJ Game No. 18- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Calgary Flames
28 CBJ Update: The Thanksgiving Weekend
29 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Tampa Bay Lightning
29 CBJ Game No. 21- Columbus Blue Jackets v Tampa Bay Lightning
30 CBJ Post-Game No. 21- Hartnell and Sons