Nikishin wasn't available for EP40, you think you're getting him for Buchnevich? That's COMICAL. Get lost. To put this into perspective, the Hurricanes organization values him at the kind of level Kyrou was as a prospect, but at a more valuable position

Nikishin isn’t available

Heh. You may need to pick a different example - namely Thomas. Kyrou was a 2nd round pick and he was never considered the Blues ace prospect. They just happened to have several A prospects at the same time. Hell, at one time, he was higher rated nationally than he was in STL.

Nikishin was a 3rd round pick that's only been considered Carolina's ace since last season. He wasn't even highly rated when he was drafted, he just suddenly turned into Russian Chris Pronger. I thought the Kyrou example was pretty good for that

Well, Nikishin did not suddenly turn anything. He's been this highly rated for a good while now. You don't get handed the SKA C at 21 without having shown the goods like a mofo already.

But yes, I get your larger point.

He was fine before his trade to SKA, but he's gone nuts since he arrived. Obviously, having 9 pieces and a ton of cash traded for you shows you've got something, but he wasn't this. Now, he's a MONSTER