montreal Posted July 20, 2003 Share Posted July 20, 2003 His profile has been added at russianprospects.com http://www.russianprospects.com/profiles/p...%20buturlin.htm Height: 6'0 Weight: 191lb Position: Right Wing Shoots: Right Born: Sep 3rd 1981 Birthplace: Moscow, Russia Game Worn Jersey Available: Alexander Buturlin's Montreal Canadiens Pre-season jersey Talent Analysis: Size and Physical Play: Butulin is a strong forward with good size. He is physical on the ice and can mix it up on a large or small rink. Skating: This is the area where the young forward has to continue to improve to raise his game to the next level. He is an average skater with and his top speed is only a bit above average. Offense: Buturlin possesses a strong slap shot, though he is most effective in the supporting cast of a capable sniper. He sees the ice well and can create some nice scoring chances for himself and his line-mates. One of Buturlin’s biggest strengths has been his ability to see and take advantage of developing openings. Again, Buturlin’s strength is not in carrying the play himself, but in how well he can complement skilled snipers. Skill: Buturlin can handle the puck and beat opponents one on one, though his skating interferes with him blowing past his opponents. He is also a good stickhandler which also boosts his defensive ability. Defense: Buturlin is fairly solid defensively. While with the Sarnia Sting in the Canadien junior, OHL league, the young forward lead the team in the +/- rating. The young forward had a tough time readjusting to the larger ice surface when he returned to Russia, and his defensive play suffered accordingly. However, during the 2002-03 season, Buturlin joined a new Super League club, under the defensive minded Lada coach, Petr Vorobiev. His defensive play has developed under the new coach and he has been one of the better defensive forwards on Lada. Back In Russia and beyond: Buturlin was born in Moscow and is a product of the CSKA Moscow hockey school. After spending his first full season with CSKA Moscow, Buturlin was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens and arrived in North America, spending two seasons with the Sarnia Sting. While performing well during his second season with the Sting, the young forward was plagued with a recurring injury, that limited his effectiveness. A long time member of Russia’s junior squads, Buturlin competed on Russia’s less then successful campaign at the 2000 World Junior Championships. While the team did not play well, he was one of the brighter spots on the squad, playing aggressively and with a desire to win. After the 2000-01 season, Buturlin could not come to terms Montreal and headed back to Russia. There he first signed with Salavat Yulayev Ufa club, which competes in the Super League. Buturlin spent the 2001-02 season on Salavat’s fourth line, readjusting to the larger European ice surface. During the summer of 2002, Buturlin signed on with Lada Togliatti. He started the 2002-03 season with the bang, leading Lada in scoring at one of the preseason tournaments. He proceeded to have his most successful season, combining to form a dynamic line with Detroit’s prospect Igor Grigorenko. NHL: Alexander Buturlin was drafted by Montreal Canadiens in the second round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, 39th overall. The Canadiens appeared to have significant plans for the young forward, but after 4 years, their interest seems to have been cooled off. The young forward’s spurning of their contract offer in the summer of 2001 has clearly disappointed them. However, after a strong season, Buturlin should peak Montreal’s interest once again. If he is not signed this summer, expect him to have another strong season in Russia, now on the line with Alexander Syemin, instead of the injured Igor Grigorenko. Buturlin’s upside would be the second or third line supporting two way forward in the NHL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
un_habitant Posted July 20, 2003 Share Posted July 20, 2003 its odd to think that he has been given up on--myself included however, whats intruiging is the fact that places like russianprospects still have him ranked as a 6.5 or so to make the nhl... we also have to consider that he is still a kid at 21 years old or so... of course no one is banking on him to be a success but we all wrote off ward at one point....:eyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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