Zubarev or Belov
One is rising, the other hiding.
This season, we might not be seeing much of tough-nosed rearguard Andrei Zubarev, a standout at the U-18 World Junior Cup in August, aside from national team performances.
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Zubarev’s team, Salavat Yulayev of the Russian Superleague, is trying to force Zubarev to sign a long term extension with Ufa by restricting his place in the lineup. The young Russian has resisted so far and has been rewarded with a dose of healthy scratches - in fact, he has yet to suit up this year.
Salavat has also been unwilling to loan him to another Superleague club or even send the youngster to the High League as a means of coercion.
“Alexander Radulov was in the same situation last year, though his ordeal began only in the latter months of the winter,” says McKeen’s scout Eugene Belashchenko. “The resulting rust was evident at the U-18 World Juniors where I think Radulov did not play to potential and was not as polished as usual.”
Zubarev played in six games for the senior Salavat Yulayev in 2003-04, amassing one assist and four penalty minutes.
While Zubarev’s presence diminishes, fellow countryman Anton Belov is steadily climbing our rankings, debuting this month at No. 81.
The hulking Belov decided not to opt in for last year’s draft after a disappointing `03-4 campaign.
There were also some initial concerns about him this season as it was uncertain whether he could stick on CSKA Moscow’s young, deep blueline
But Belov beat out Dmitri Kosmachev (CBJ) and Kirill Lyamin (Ott) for a spot on the senior roster. After starting out as a depth defenseman, Belov is now being used regularly by the coaching staff.
“Belov’s stock is gradually going up,” says Belashchenko. “He has gotten used to the speed of the Russian Superleague and is earning top marks for mobility and vision.”
Belov’s recent surge has increased his chances of making Russia’s U-20 national side for the World Junior Championships this winter, which would further solidify his exposure for the draft.