WJC: Making Team Russia

Team Russia has begun preparing for the U20 WJC. The current roster includes 3 goalies, 10 defensemen and 17 forwards. By the end of training camp the roster will be trimmed to 22 players, likely 2 goalies, 8 defensemen and 12 forwards. The Russian squad will face off against the Soviet Wings on 15th, HC Khimik on 16th, and against HC Dynamo on the 18th of December. Below, please find the evaluation of the Russian roster and the prospects of each player of making the final squad.

GOALIES:

Semen Varlamov (Wsh)

Varlamov will be Russia's starting goaltender. The young netminder has established himself as a starter in the Super League with HC Lokomotiv, taking a strong step forward in his career. The Capitals made a solid selection in Varlamov. The quick netminder possesses above average size, solid positioning and quickness in the net.

Ilya Proskuryakov (2007)

Proskuryakov has risen to become the top 87 born netminder in Russia and will back up Varlamov at the U20 WJC. Proskuryakov has actually come on strong this past season and has left several other strong 87 born competitors behind. He may even challenge Varlamov for the starting job if the younger goaltender falters. He skated for Russia at the Canada Russia Challenge with some success and will likely catch on in the Super League next season.

Nikita Bespalov (2007)

Bespalov has long been considered to have a lot of potential, but has not been able to shine on the international level or in Russia. This season is really one of the first few times he has come on strong and being a third string goaltender is impressive, considering that he was not even considered for the U18 WJC a couple of years back. Bespalov has long been in HC CSKA's system, but will likely have to go elsewhere to look for ice time at a higher level than the Russian juniors.

DEFENSE:

Vyacheslav Buravchikov (Buf)

Buravchikov is one of Russia's top young blueliners regardless of age. In addition to his skills and upside, he is the captain of this team and his presence on the roster is obvious. This season has not gone all that well for Vyacheslav, as he has had to split ice time with a couple of other young defensemen on the overcrowded HC Ak Bars blue line. Still, the young defenseman's skill was never in doubt and the lack of ice time is just a price to pay for playing with the Super League champion loaded with talent. Buravchikov will likely be Russia's top, if not the only offensive threat from the blue line.

Yuri Alexandrov (Bos)

Alekandrov will be one of Russia's top blue liners at the U20 WJC. The young defenseman continued to play well for HC Severstal, despite the club's unfortunate start this season. He has impressive speed and sees the ice very well for someone who is so young.

Andrei Zubarev (Atl)

Zubarev will be Russia's top physical threat on the ice. He will likely skate together with Buravchikov, as the two has been paired together on occasion with HC Ak Bars. After a strong 2005-06 campaign, Zubarev has faced the same problem with ice time as Buravchikov, but was in good physical shape and took advantage of his chance when he got them. Interestingly, Zubarev was proven to be more expendable by Ak Bars, as the club let him go to the Canada Russia Challenge in late November, while keeping Buravchikov in Russia.

Ivan Vishnevsky (Dal)

Russia would benefit greatly from the presence of this defenseman, who would provide the team with a much needed second scoring threat from the blue line. Vishnevsky left Russia last season to skate in the Canadian juniors. He has played well in the new North American system, but his lack of ice time with the Russian squad and some questions that were raised earlier regarding his interest of playing for the national team raise concerns whether he will be present at the U20 WJC. Despite being an 88 born, Vishnevsky would still be one of the top Russian blueliners there.

Vitaly Anikeenko (Ott)

Anikeenko has been on a rebound of sorts this season, earning limited ice time with HC Lokomotiv, while also consistently skating for the national team. The towering blue liner did not have a strong 2005-06 season, but has shown more poise and motivation this season. He will be skating for Russia in Sweden and may surprise some with his strong play. While Ottawa should have definitely made Zubov the first Russian picked in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Anikeenko has proven to be an adequate choice.

Alexei Shvalev (2007)

For a blueliner who bumped Anikeenko out of HC Lokomotiv's lineup last season, Shvalev has not been as impressive this season. Quite possibly, he may have started to level off due to his relatively limited upside. Shvalev is a smart blue liner and does most things right and well enough to earn a marginal spot in the Super League, but he has not raised his game to the next level yet. This young blue liner may be like Yakov Rylov of a couple seasons back – a blue liner who is aggressive and works hard for that first chance, but trails off after he is no longer hungry. With that said, Shvalev is still playing well; he is just not meeting the hefty expectations. The young blue liner will likely make the squad, but will be one of the peripheral defensemen.

Pavel Valentenko (Mtl)

Valentenko is a hard working average defenseman with Super League experience. He won't blow anyone away with his strength or speed, but he will work hard and deliver. This and Russia's lack of depth on defense may be enough to make him the 7th or 8th blue liner.

Denis Osipov (2007)

Osipov is an average sized, mobile blue liner who plays aggressively, but is positionally responsible. He has proven himself with the depleted Soviet Wings squad this season and will compete hard for one of the last spots on Russia's defense.

Evgeni Ryasensky (2007)

Ryasensky has been one of the more surprising risers early this season and late last year. He already has over a season of Super League experience and especially towards the end of last season was a regular in Kazan's rotation. Prone to an occasional mistake, Ryasensky is a stay at home defenseman with a very limited offensive upside. His skating is average, as is his size. The young defenseman does not play very physically, though tends to be reliable.

Vyacheslav Voynov (2008)

1990 born Voynov is a surprising presence at this training camp, but this blue liner has held his own in the Super League with HC Traktor. He hasn't gotten much ice time, but did not look out of place when he did skate for the Super League club. Still, making the U20 WJC roster would be a surprising feat for Voynov.

Alexander Loginov (2007)

Another average blue liner with some offensive upside. If he makes the squad it will be because of Russia's depth at defense and he will likely only hold a marginal role on the team.

Who is missing: Kirill Tulupov deserves a consideration, but will likely be absent as he skates in Canada and has not skated for the Russian squad much at all. His size and work ethic would really add to the Russian roster. He is also one of the few players who would be willing to play physical hockey.

FORWARDS:

Ilya Zubov (Ott)

Ilya Zubov is hands down the top Russian forward at this U20 WJC, despite being an 88 born player and a year too young for the tournament. He has played well in the Super League and has a great vision of the ice. Zubov offensive upside is extensive, as he is capable of making a precise pass, or laser the puck right underneath the cross bar with his deadly wrist shot. Zubov does lack size, but it does not hurt him significantly on the larger European surface and he has proven at last year's U20 WJC that he is capable of adjusting to the more physical North American style hockey.

Alexander Bumagin (Edm)

Alexander Bumagin will be a strong offensive threat for Russia, despite experiencing a sophomore slump of sorts in the Super League this past season. Then again, it would be difficult to follow up the very impressive performance he put together during the 2005-06 season that finally got him drafted by the Edmonton Oilers after being overlooked in 2005. Bumagin is not very big, but he is fairly fast, sees the ice well and is capable of creating scoring chances with his skill level.

Gennady Churilov (2007)

Churilov's career has not turned out how it was projected just a few years back. After his mediocre season in the Canadian juniors, the young forward returned to Russia and delivered a strong season in the Super League, consistently getting ice time with HC Lokomotiv. This season, however, Churilov has not had as much fortune with ice time, as his production has dropped off. The young forward possesses impressive speed, though he does shy away from physical play. His skill level is slightly above average and he does have a good array of shots to choose from. Churilov is capable of playing at center, but also on the wing, but will likely center Russia's second line at this tournament.

Artem Anisimov (NYR)

Artem Anisimov is Russia's strongest 88 born center after Ilya Zubov. This young forward has good size and above average speed. He sees the ice well. Anisimov does need to improve on his face-off ability, as well as his defensive play. Anisimov has really come on strong this year and the Rangers may have gotten a very solid prospect in him. Anisimov will likely center Russia's third line in this tournament.

Alexander Vasyunov (NJ)

A pure sniper, Vasyunov has been a strong junior level forward, but has had some difficulty adapting to the Super League, though he has been given a few chances by HC Lokomotiv's coaching staff. Still, at the junior level this young forward does have potential to provide Russia with some needed goals, or at least scoring threats on the ice.

Igor Makarov (Chi)

Igor Makarov, like Vasyunov will be another forward who will be able to provide Russia with the badly needed firepower. His 5 goals in 30 games with HC SKA in Russia may seem insignificant, but it is quite something when considering the team's two scoring leaders just scored seven a piece. Makarov has usually skated on his squad's third or fourth line, getting less time. He has struggled to gain more, as he has not yet fully adjusted to the speed of the Super League game. When motivated properly, which he usually during international competition, Makarov can be a very dangerous threat and he should be able to produce for Russia at this tournament.

Alexei Cherepanov (2007)

The 89 born Cherepanov is the true black horse of this tournament. He is a shoe in to be on the roster, considering that he leads all of the players on the roster in scoring with his 10 Super League goals. Cherepanov also brings his playmaking ability, as he has proven to be quite a passer with HC Avangard. Overall, this young forward has ways to grow, but reminds a bit of Alexei Kaigorodov in his level of maturity and vision of the ice.

Anton Krysanov (Phx)

Anton Krysanov, at just 19 is in his third Super League season and has been putting together a fairly strong performance. With that said, this player is an enigma, as it is tough to outline what is expected of him and what type of a player he will become. He has the physical makeup of a power forward and does drive towards the net, but he does not use his shot as often as he should, nor does he appear to see the ice all that well. So, he may become another Ruslan Zainullin, a big forward who had loads of potential but is yet to live up to it or he may enjoy a break through this year or in the next couple of seasons. Still, Krysanov brings size and an overall adequate skill level with him and will be at the U20 WJC.

Denis Istomin (Chi)

As was stated many times before the draft, Istomin has a wealth of potential but it remains to be seen if he can mature and raise his level of play to the next level. Thus far he has not been able to do so, struggling to adjust to the Super League for two seasons now. He will be at the U20 WJC, but it is doubtful that he will be an impact player there.

Alexander Kucheryavenko (2007)

Kucheryavenko is another player with offensive potential that will be competing for one of the last spots on Russia's roster. An 87 born forward, he might have an edge of the 88 born ones as this will be his last junior tournament. Kucheryavenko brings speed, skill and scoring ability, and his Super League experience this season with HC Salavat Yulayev will likely be helpful.

Mikhail Glukhov (2007)

Tampa Bay's Alexei Glukhov's younger brother has been a constant presence in HC Khimik's lineup. He will be a favorite from the marginal 88 born forwards to make the roster for the fourth line.

Dmitri Zyuzin (2007)

Zyuzin has not proven much over the past couple of seasons and may make the team because he has proven to be able to score at the junior level, though he has had trouble adapting to the Super League, despite ample chances. He will be a reliable supporting cast, but then again, so would some 88 born players who would then come back to the tournament next year with more experience.

Andrei Kiryukhin (2007)

Kiryukhin has come on strong this season, justifying some of the positive scouting reports that surfaced last year in regards to his performance. Being the captain of Russia's squad that came over for the Canada Russia Challenge also doesn't hurt his ability to fit in with the Russian squad in Sweden. Kiryukhin will have to fight hard for a spot though, as he is an 88 born forward on an 87 team. The speedy sniper does have a lot going for him and will hopefully make the team, if in just a marginal role.

Igor Musatov (2007)

A persistent forward who fights hard for loose pucks. Musatov is a bit of a sniper with speed. He also brings size to the roster, which Russia often lacks. Still, he has not ever really skated for the Russian National team and his presence at the U20 WJC would be a surprise.

Anton Glovatsky (2007)

A scorer in the Russian juniors, Glovatskiy has succeeded at international tournaments in the past, but has struggled this season. He will compete for the final spots, but will not likely make the lineup.

Igor Velichkin (2007)

A smart center who knows where to be, Velichkin is not likely to make the tournament. He has experience, skill and a father who is the president of HC Metallurg (Malkin's old team), but that still may not get him a spot at the U20 WJC.

Egor Milovzorov (2007)

A smallish skilled forward will not likely make Russia's roster. He has speed, but is very small and has trouble playing physical hockey. Furthermore, he is like a lot of other young Russian players in his skill, but inability to consistently score.

Who is missing: Russia has a few great forwards in the Canadian juniors. Slava Trukhno would undoubtedly be a great addition to Russia's roster, but will not likely be there. Maxim Grachev would be another consideration, though he hasn't had a great season this year and thus may have put himself out of the running. Neither will the Bashkirov brothers, who are really too young at this point despite their potential. They do deserve full consideration for the U18 squad in the spring.