glimpse ahead-Tikhonov
November 8th, 2008 by thewordbirdViktor Tikhonov is going to be a star. I have been impressed with much I have read of the grandson of the late Russian goaltender by the same name and was interested going into the draft on who was going to snag the former World Junior All-Star.
In Thursday’s game, in his usual fourth line minutes (11:24), Tikhonov’s star power was subtle and evident. In 11 games Vik only has 2 assists, 2 PIM, -1, and 19 shots. Nothing spectacular I agree. But in watching his slapdash movements, I was immediately reminded of watching Zdeno Chara. When this kid’s body catches up to his hockey IQ and potential-he will be a bonafide star. I would not say that without having watched him play in person. He brings up notions of a puppy that you know is going to emerge larger every day and you see the food bill chalk up. Another comparision may be Milan Lucic. I watched that kid barely make the Vancouver Giants and work his as$ off and eventually become a force for the Bruins. Same sort of haphazard player with hockey sense and talent. Watch for Tikhonov, his star is rising.
Sure, the Canucks did not need to devote a shadow to Tikhonov to shut him down and win the game 1-0. And most in Vancouver were (and still talking about it on the radio) disappointed in not having Kyle Turris play. Turris is a good playmaker and was a star the last time I personally was at GM Place for the Canada/Russia Super Series (with Karl Alzner, Sam Gagner, Drew Doughty, John Tavares, Lucic, etc. (Mayorov, Alexandrov, Vasyunov, r.i.p.-Cherepanov, Varlamov). Turris’ -4 and 4 points needs to be better and he has been sat against the Canucks and formerly the Flames. His defensive play is not on par with Tikhonov’s and this is reflected.
Phoenix welcomes Shawn Matthias, David Booth, Nathan Horton and former Coyotes Keith Ballard/Nick Boynton tonight. Let’s hope that Olli Jokinen has a better game than he did in Vancouver. First line minutes and he was fairly absent Thursday.
8 November 2008
Robin Keith Thompson
Posted in game recaps, prospects
