Which is understandable. Several Euro veterans think the AHL has too much of a developmental league feel with a lower level of coaching (when it comes to winning and strategy) than they are used to. Organizations need to be better at motivating guys who come over after 25 and have a clearer plan of what they need to do differently to make it in the NHL. Lots of skill goes wasted.
Skilled European players naturally often have trouble to adjust to the smaller ice. They look like superstars cycling, skating around on the open ice, having more time to receive passes and unleashing shots. The later you get over to NA the harder it is for them to adjust. I guess it was already too late for Levtchi. He was expecting to put up the same numbers as for Tappara, but that did not happen. Plus these guys often already have families so the social and family factor weighs in as well - he is 27 years old.
Does anybody remember a European guy that made his way to NA in his mid- or late-20ies and had an immediate big impact? I currently have noone coming to mind
