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DELIRIVM · 05-15-2020, 05:49 PM

Some Small Thoughts on SMJHL Teams with Daniil Nikiforov

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1113 Words / x2 Draft Media

Daniil Nikiforov is preparing for the 54th Draft of the SMJHL and has only been in North America for a little under a week. He has been contacted by a plethora of teams thus far. After having spent some time talking to some of them and seemingly being invisible to others, the young Russian has gained a small, but sufficient, amount of information on the teams. He will give his first impressions of the squads and talk about what each one brings in opportunities to him!

Outlaws

Anaheim Outlaws - A really talented young squad. A lot of centers on this roster. Most of them pretty high TPE as well. I don’t really see a center spot here but I could definitely fit in on a wing somewhere. I am not sure Daniil cares about Disney Land though. Seems like a fairly interesting team. I wouldn’t mind ending up on this team. They are probably poised to go far into the playoffs. Probably a hard sell to draft a center to such a team stacked up the middle though.

Armada

Anchorage Armada - A team with seemingly a lot of positions available to a young active player. The center group is talented but not stacked like Anaheim. They look to have some good young players from the latest drafts. I feel like a team that could use Daniil’s talent moving forward. Anchorage is a beautiful city in a beautiful state. Daniil is used to, and often loves, the cold. Might be a good fit.

Outlaws

Carolina Kraken - This team has 3 very good centers. Two of which being really young and one poised to move up to the SHL at some point in the near future. I think this would be an ideal team fit as it has openings at center now and in the future. Daniil would be able to offer a 4th line role this season and move up in the near future. Carolina also has one of the fresher logos. I think this would be one of the better fits.

Raptors

Colorado Raptors - A ton of forward talent on this roster. I think there is a realistic chance that Daniil could carve out a spot as the 4th center as early as this next season and move up after that but not too sure with how much of a solid fit it would be with a team with so much young forward talent. Colorado is a beautiful state though and has a lot to offer a young player outside of the rink. Not a bad fit but not the best either.

Falcons

Detroit Falcons - Another team like Anaheim just oozing center talent. Four centers with a ton of talent and a few of them are extremely young. I think the team would be fun to play for but I don’t foresee Daniil fitting into the center position. Maybe as a winger but that wastes some of his face off talents. I’ve heard SHL Detroit is populate with hover cars and is a literal paradise though. So I would love to be able to stick one of those pizzas in a rehydrater like in Back to the Future and have it done in 10 seconds. Not one of the best fits hockey wise though.

Knights

Kelowna Knights - My god. Is every team just loaded up with centers? Looks like Kelowna has a large number of centers just like Anaheim and Detroit. Not much room for advancement at Daniil’s natural position here. Again, he’s open to playing any position but his faceoff stat is wasted not taking face offs right away. I’ve only seen pictures of Kelowna a few times but it looks like a pretty place in British Columbia. A place that Nikiforov would enjoy being part of but it feels unlikely with the talent on the roster.

Timber

Maine Timber - Not the most talented of the center rosters but maybe one of the youngest. Which means that they are unlikely to graduate up to the SHL soon and that it would be a position that leaves Daniil unlikely to move up in the ranks of the squad. Seems like a really nice team with some really great players though. I would find playing in Maine to be a very nice experience. I think the state is fairly great too. Pretty, cheap, and great access to delicious food. I’d say this is middle of the road fit.

Newfoundland Berserkers - Probably the youngest crop of centers in the SMJHL. Not really sure there would be a spot down the middle here. Maybe as a forward again. I still think the team looks really good and I will admit that I know very little about Newfoundland. But I know that some really great hockey players come out of there. So I would be happy to be part of a team in that province! Not really a great fit though as the center corps is so young. I would play any forward position like I would for any other team. Just not the best match.

St. Louis Scarecrows - With two older centers that could move up in the next couple seasons. St. Louis is a better fit than most. There might be some playing time at Daniil’s original position in the near future. The defense on the team looks really strong and would help take pressure off of Daniil’s developing defensive game. St. Louis has some killer BBQ as well and would a great place to play and eat. I think this could be a top 3 fit in the draft. Depends on what other centers go before Nikiforov.

Whalers

Vancouver Whalers - The Whalers might be the most Center-wanting teams in the whole draft. They have some good young centers but they’re definitely not filled to the brim like a lot of the other teams. I feel like forward, and particularly center, will be a focus for their draft plans. I think there would be a lot of playtime available on the team but the team looks like it might be one of the bottom performers in the league. Daniil would like to compete but still would happily play for the Whalers and try to help them compete! Vancouver is probably among the prettiest cities on this list and living there would be a wonderful opportunity.

With all that being said, Daniil Nikiforov would be happy to play on any team that gives him a chance and will happily play at whatever position you would like him to play. He will build to help the team and will be one of your top performers and TPE getters. Don’t sleep on the Next Red Scare! I am excited to play for ANY of your teams!

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