Another Russian player has joined the NHL and he’s coming to the Rangers…and there are no issues with this signing…no court cases, arbitration or explanations… Evengy Grachev is now on the team and most likely headed to Hartford to join the Wolf Pack. Howlings is not in a position to comment on his skills or such as we have not seen him play and will rely on the comments of others who have.
Here’s the official release:
RANGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH FORWARD EVGENY GRACHEV
New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has agreed to terms with forward Evgeny Grachev.
Grachev, 18, skated in one game for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Russian Super League (RUS) this past season. He also appeared in 30 games for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl 2 in the Russian Division I (RUS-3), registering 17 goals and 20 assists for 37 points.
Internationally, Grachev has represented Russia in several tournaments. He skated in six games with Team Russia at the 2008 U-18 World Junior Championships in Russia, registering two goals and three assists for five points, along with two penalty minutes and a plus-three rating. His plus-three rating tied for second on the club, and his five points tied for sixth on Russia. In addition, he tallied the game-winning goal in Russia’s preliminary round match against Canada on April 16. The 6-4, 220-pounder appeared in four games with Russia at the 2008 Five Nations Tournament, notching two goals and two penalty minutes. In 2007, Grachev recorded five goals and four assists for nine points, along with 14 penalty minutes in eight international contests.
The Khabarovsk, Russia native was originally the Rangers’ third round choice, 75th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
(Evgeny Grachev photo courtesy of Newsday)
Comments (5)
Colorado Marksays:
September 22, 2008 at 5:38 PMI thought he was going to play junior this year? Isn’t this just like Kundratek this year, and Staal, Sangs and Sauer a couple of years ago, where they signed the guys and sent them back to Junior? I can’t imagine that Grachev is ready for Hartford, especially with the crowded roster already in position to battle for spots!
Mitch Becksays:
September 22, 2008 at 5:42 PMI do believe that you’re right Mark and that he will be going to Juniors. I might be wrong, but at 18 years of age, I don’t think he can play in Hartford. I think it’s either NHL or juniors.
Colorado Marksays:
September 22, 2008 at 6:27 PMYeah, for sure this year, but I do remember reading something about the fact that he and Kundratek were drafted before being drafted to Junior, so technically they could both play in the AHL during their junior years, unlike Canadian prospects and players who have been drafted into the CHL import drafts.
davidsays:
September 23, 2008 at 9:39 AMThe provision that drafted players either play in the NHL or go back to their Junior team is an agreement the NHL has with the Junior leagues in Canada.
This is why Anisimov could play in Hartford last season at 19.
The thing I wonder about is the recent agreement between the Russian hockey league and the NHL if it had any provision concerning these under-aged players.
It is my understanding that he could play in Hartford — but really — does the organization want 18 year olds playing?
elsiesays:
September 23, 2008 at 9:42 AMThe advantage of the technicality Mark mentions may be really helpful next year, when either EG or TK can play if they are AHL ready, without the machinations that allowed 19-yr old Skokan to sign.
Have the ‘Pack posted training camp rosters yet?
Last year we had that info by this date.
There aren’t likely many (any) spots at Forward open for tryouts, with up to 10 returning regulars, plus Barnes, Jamtin, Taylor, Demagin, Zaborsky, Hillier, Soryal, Skokan and likely Weise
Apparently this guy will attend:
http://ihockey.blogspot.com/2008/09/checkers-sign-center-tsimikalis.html
The Charlotte Checkers signed center Peter Tsimikalis on Monday. Tsimikalis will be in training camp with the Hartford Wolfpack, the Checkers’ AHL affiliate.