The August player grade series took a look at each returning Dallas Stars player and how they did, but what about the guys who weren’t on the roster last year? This week will be a bonus week for them, starting with Valeri Nichushkin.
Nichushkin left the Dallas Stars two years ago for the KHL, but now he’s back and ready to try again.
Last Season
Valeri Nichushkin’s 2017-18 Grade: B
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KHL stats can’t be compared directly to NHL stats because of the difference in league talent, games played, and general league parity. However, Nichushkin’s stats can easily be compared to his own team and the league as a whole.
He had the highest ice time of all CSKA forwards last year and played in the most regular season games. Despite the high ice time, he was only fifth in points. There was a steep drop off from the three players who all had 40 points, to fourth place at 28 and Nichushkin at 27. For comparison, the league’s high-mark was Ilya Kovalchuk at 63 points.
His point total was disappointing, especially when compared to his 2016-17 season in the KHL, where he played in 14 less games but still had 24 points, but he was playing better than he was in Dallas.
His team did make a deep playoff run, going to the finals before losing to Ak Bars. That’s good experience for him to gain if the Stars hope to make a deep run.
Nichushkin has developed and grown as a player over the last two years, and he should have no problem bringing back what he’s learned from his time spent with CSKA.
Next Season
All of Nichushkin’s maturing in the KHL means nothing if he can’t translate an improved game back to Dallas. Luckily for him, there are a lot of factors working in his favor.
Lindy Ruff is gone, and in his place is Jim Montgomery. Despite Nichushkin’s years of experience, he’s still young, and Montgomery is great with developing young players. If they can get off on the right foot, Nichushkin should have a much better time than he did with Ruff in charge.
He’ll have to earn his ice time and his place in the line-up, but he’ll probably be put in a much better position to succeed this time around, starting on the first or second line at the beginning of the season.
He’s got a point to prove with his return, and Montgomery will give him the opportunity to do so.
Stop back by each day this week for the other bonus grades: Miro Heiskanen, Roman Polak, Blake Comeau, and Anton Khudobin.