Stanislav Chistov

Looking over his numbers the past 2 seasons, I am left scratching my head as to what happened to Stanislav Chistov. After his first season in North America, I thought the Ducks had a gem in him... a potential Sergei Samsanov type player who could be a scoring threat and a dynamite on the ice.
Since then, his stats have plummetted, with 2 goals last season, and not much of a better showing in the AHL, where one would have expected him to light the lamp quite frequently there. I know the talent is in him, but what is holding Chistov back from producing the numbers he is capable of? And judging by his PIM's I am going to guess he is very frustrated in himself. Is it possible for him to return to Russia or is he committed to staying in North America?

02/03: nice rookie season went to the Stanley Cup Finals, and he thought everything would be easy after that.

03/04: Was too lazy in the Summer after the Finals, didn't work to get better. Had a Sophomore slump.

04/05: Sent to Cincy because of the lockout. Frustrated about there being no NHL. For him not a lot to play for. Thus he has been very inconsistent. Scored a brilliant goal vs the Edmonton Roadrunners at a game played at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. Many nights he floats out there. On the other hand he has worked on being more physical and thats where you see his pims and a few fighting majors this season. He has won his fights and knocked one players teeth out.

05/06: He will be a RFA this July. If the lockout ends this summer he will re-sign with the Ducks and be given every opportunity to earn a top 6 forward spot at the Ducks training camp. If the lockout continues then Chistov would need to sign an AHL only contract with Cincy like Foster did this year. 50-50 whether he would do that or instead go back to Russia. Lets hope the lockout ends and he shows up at training camp with a lot of desire to make the team.

02/03: nice rookie season went to the Stanley Cup Finals, and he thought everything would be easy after that.

03/04: Was too lazy in the Summer after the Finals, didn't work to get better. Had a Sophomore slump.

The year before Stan came over was the year he had all the trouble with the russian army which limited him to something like 6-10 games for the whole year. He comes over to Anaheim plays an 80 game sched and then goes through the grind of the playoffs until game 7. I think the season wore him down (he was only 19/20) and his offseason started at the end of june. I think those circumstances really hurt him. I'm not saying that he didn't slack or anything but I can understand why he did. He wants to get better, he will get better and he will have a solid NHL career. I refuse to judge him by his AHL stats alone. I know some of you will think im biased because of my username and maybe I am a little but people calling him a bust right now or on his way to being a bust is way to pre-mature imo.

Is it possible that he wasn't in that great of a condition showing up to training camp... and that he was already expecting to be starting on one of the top six lines when the season started?
My guess is that he lacked any motivation after making the big show. It is unfortunate considering the fact that he must have gained valuable experience from the playoff run in 2003.

For the sake of the Ducks, hope that he doesn't turn out like Vitali Yachmenev. Started out with a lot of promise (and was expected to fill the shoes of another big time scorer, Luc Robitaille).
Then he went through a sophmore slump, and when his contract was up, he held out. After re-signing and returning, he never was the same again. Vitali toiled around in the minors, was dealt away to Nashville and never really showed the abilities he was capable of and the skills he demonstrated from his rookie season.

It is nice to hear he has some fire and passion within him though and I hope he overcomes his struggles. It would be a big loss of talent if he didn't.

Yachmenev's first year was sucessful because his center was a guy named Gretzky.
Chistov's center was Pahlsson...

Yachmenev's first year was sucessful because his center was a guy named Gretzky.
Chistov's center was Pahlsson...

I guess this is the closest the Pahlsson fanatics can go without actually admitting that Pahlsson sucks... :)

I guess this is the closest the Pahlsson fanatics can go without actually admitting that Pahlsson sucks... :)



:lol:

Those of you that think that Pahlsson sucks have no idea what it takes to make a hockey team win.

Well it certainly takes more than a 3rd line center with 0.08 GPG average.

Yachmenev actually played mainly with Perreault and Khristich. Gretzky was dealt in Yachmenev's first season in. Wayne played Kurri and either Tocchet or at times Granato ('til Tock was dealt for Kevin Stevens). First Tocchet went, then Wayne, then Jari... so Vitali really wasn't Gretzky's regular linemate. Vitali would then be put on a line with Khristich and Tsyplakov. Trust me on this... I watched a lot of Kings hockey and that time period of their team is something I'd like to have etched out of my memory.
If Chistov somehow develops a swollen head and thinks he's due for a raise after his play the past couple of seasons, I think it is likely for him to hold out, especially when he may likely demand a one-way contract to remain in North America rather than toil away in the minors. He does have major league talent but he seems to be lacking the desire. It seems to be a trait that has plagued a vast majority of European hockey players. If things don't go their way, rather than spending time in the minors trying to improve, they return to their home country.

Well it certainly takes more than a 3rd line center with 0.08 GPG average.

He does many things that do not show up in the box score such as playing hard on every shift and frustrating opposing forwards. Things Chistov does not/cannot do.

I saw him play on 3/11 and although I thought he looked good he seemed to get thrown around a lot. Granted this was only one game. Still overall I thought he played well enough to stand out and get a lot of attention from the other team.

He does many things that do not show up in the box score such as playing hard on every shift and frustrating opposing forwards. Things Chistov does not/cannot do.

Actually I wasn't talking about Chistov at all, more in general. Show me a cup contender who has as bad or worse (offensively that is) no.3 center as Pahlsson. Not wanting to pick a fight here but fact is that we do need more scoring from our 3rd line center.

Sergei Brylin, Mike Sillinger, Tim Taylor. Brylin's a decent offensive player. (though he only put up 10 more points than Sammy and he is miles behind Pahlsson defensively)

Sergei Brylin, Mike Sillinger, Tim Taylor. Brylin's a decent offensive player. (though he only put up 10 more points than Sammy and he is miles behind Pahlsson defensively)
how is brylin miles behind pahlsson defensively? surely you jest. brylin was often the top utility player on the most defensive team in the league. brylin now? maybe i suppose. brylin then? not even close.

how is brylin miles behind pahlsson defensively? surely you jest. brylin was often the top utility player on the most defensive team in the league. brylin now? maybe i suppose. brylin then? not even close.

Have you seen Pahlsson play? If the Selke wasn't a joke and/or Pahlsson started scoring, he'd be a Selke contender for sure. He's amazing on the PK, and is definetely a very nice defensive forward.

Pahlsson is one of the strongest players on the Ducks... Well that's not saying much, but he is a GREAT PK'er and if he developed any marginal puck skills he'd be second line behind Feds for sure... I think he a has great physical body, he just needs to work on his hands and his shot. (of course, everyone but Fedorov and Lupul needs to work on their shot)

And no, by 'great physical body' I am not referring to his looks... :teach:

Sergei Brylin, Mike Sillinger, Tim Taylor. Brylin's a decent offensive player. (though he only put up 10 more points than Sammy and he is miles behind Pahlsson defensively)

Miles behind?? Ummmm I think the majority will disagree with you on that one.

Taylor has around 30% better GPG average, craploads of experience (several Stanley Cups), a 20-goal season etc.

Mike Sillinger has loads and loads of experience and around 2.5X better GPG average, several 15+ goal seasons etc.

Brylin has 3 Cups, 2X better GPG average and several 20+ goal seasons.

Pahlsson has NEVER reached even *10* (yes, TEN goals) in a season, has relatively little experience, no cups and in general is a very poor comparison to those mentioned.

Please, I know some of you have a hard-on for Pahlsson but as long as we have a 3rd line center with so little offensive production we're not going to be regular contenders. A sad fact. Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Pahlsson on the 4th line except Holmqvist is a better player for that job with his bigger stature and more physical style.

It can be spun any way you choose. I chose to focus more on point production, you chose to focus on goal scoring. To be honest I don't think a 3rd line center has to produce 20 goals a season to be effective. Just my opinion.

It can be spun any way you choose. I chose to focus more on point production, you chose to focus on goal scoring. To be honest I don't think a 3rd line center has to produce 20 goals a season to be effective. Just my opinion.

Do you think a serious cup contender should have a 3rd line center who averages 0.25pgp?

It doesn't matter whether we're talking about goals or points, sad fact is that Pahlsson doesn't provide enough either.

Do you think a serious cup contender should have a 3rd line center who averages 0.25pgp?

It doesn't matter whether we're talking about goals or points, sad fact is that Pahlsson doesn't provide enough either.

I have to agree. His scoring is subpar even for a 3rd line center. You can get away with it if you've got Sakic and Forsberg as your 1st and 2nd line centers, but even they haven't won squat since Drury got traded away. You can also get away with it if you're so strong at winger that you've got 2nd line caliber wingers to play on the 3rd line with him. You also might get away with it if you have a Devils-type team where everything is defensive oriented, but we're about two Norris-caliber defensemen short.

By contender standards Pahlsson's either a mediocre 3rd line center, or a pretty good 4th line center. The day we're deep enough to bump him down (and possibly even good enough to bump Rucchin to 3rd line center) we'll know we're getting close to having a real contender.

I'd go a step further and call Pahlsson poor 3rd line center or average 4th line center (in a serious contender).

You also might get away with it if you have a Devils-type team where everything is defensive oriented, but we're about two Norris-caliber defensemen short.


So are they in 2005-06.

So are they in 2005-06.

And that's why they are not contenders anymore.

They are perennial cup contenders, remember when they won in 2003? For us it seems like a lot longer time ago than it actually was.

And that's why they are not contenders anymore.

There were 9 team in the NHL that had over 100 pts last season (Philadelphia,
New Jersey, Boston, Toronto, Ottawa, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Vancouver, Colorado,
and San Jose)

If 43 Wins and 100 points with the Vezina trophy winner is "Not contenders anymore" then I feel real sorry for the other 28 teams who will never be contenders at all by your standard.

Let me rephrase that, they WON'T be contenders when Stevens retires and Niedermayer bolts to Canucks or something.

LOL on Pahlsson debates


IMO Sammi is at best an ok 4th liner. But for a team that has ZERO grit he's useless. The fact that Sammi is one the Ducks most physical players is a joke but true. Holmquist,Konopka and even Brent >>>>>>>>> Sammi the Bull

Let me rephrase that, they WON'T be contenders when Stevens retires and Niedermayer bolts to Canucks or something.

You might be right, but I also heard the same thing after: Claude Lemieux, Bruce Driver Shawn Chamber left the team after the 1995 Cup and shortly after John Mclean demanded a trade

Then I heard the same thing in 2002 after the Devils lost to the Canes and proceded to loose Mogilny, Sykora and Arnott. Which made up 2/3 of there first line and their goal scoring leader.

And at the begining of the 2002-03 season everyone said the Devils Defence is to old and their fowards aren't skilled enough. They just won 40+ games, had 100+ points, Brodeur won his first Vezina and the devils won the cup.

Then Ken Daneyko retired and Scott Stevens was lost for nearly the entire 2003-04 season. Everyone said the Devils will be lost with 2 rookie D-men in the lineup. Well, Paul Martin and David Hale stepped in beutifully and after 43 wins and 100 points and Brodeur winning back-to-back Vezinas I once again have to read of their obituaries.......I wouldn't bet on it though

You might be right, but I also heard the same thing after: Claude Lemieux, Bruce Driver Shawn Chamber left the team after the 1995 Cup and shortly after John Mclean demanded a trade

Everyone said the Devils will be lost with 2 rookie D-men in the lineup. Well, Paul Martin and David Hale stepped in beutifully and after 43 wins and 100 points and Brodeur winning back-to-back Vezinas I once again have to read of their obituaries.......I wouldn't bet on it though

This time people are right.

Stevens and Niedermayer gone the Devils will be a completly different team.

Brodeur will still be there to get them a playoff spot, but they are no longer a true Stanley Cup contender.

This time people are right.

Stevens and Niedermayer gone the Devils will be a completly different team.

Brodeur will still be there to get them a playoff spot, but they are no longer a true Stanley Cup contender.

In 2002 The devils didn't only loose Arnott and Sykora they lost Holik as well in the off season and we saw the emergences of Selke Trophy winner John Madden.

But you are right,

You can't loose a Niedermayer and Stevens and not be a "completely different team"........Just like you can't loose your #1 and #2 center and your #1 and #3 wings within a year and be the same team. But they still won the cup in 2003.

Think about it, 2001 Devils loose the cup to the Avs and within 1 full season they loose Arnott, Holik, Mogilny and Sykora. Everyone wrote them off after there first round exit to the Canes in 2002 and it was supposed to be the begining of the end.

It is becoming an old story for Devils fans.


With Rafalski, White, Matvichuk, Martin, Hale, and throw in another journeymen D-man which the devils seem to do every year, I would submit that this group, by itself, is still better as a group than 1/2 to 2/3 of NHL D-corps. Couple that with the leagues best goalie and a group very good defensive forwards(including a Selke winner) the NJ Devils are a contender to come out of the East now and for at least the forseeable future.

The top 6 teams in the East last year were Tampa Bay, Boston, Toronto,
Ottawa, Philadelphia, and New Jersey last season and in my opinion with the exception of Boston, these are still the best teams in the East.

If you look at these top 5 teams in the east, I think you could get somewhat of an agreement that Philly and Tampa right now have an edge over the rest of the pack. Then when you look at the goaltending situation of each of these top teams there is huge drop off from New Jersey to the rest of the pack. Now I am not saying New Jersey doesn't have issues to address, but I am saying the issues they do have are addressable. Suring-up a D-corps that has 4 solid d-men is a helluva lot easier than solving a goaltending problem of say Ottawa or Philly and Lou Lamorillo has consistantly delivered on the teams needs for the last 10+ years.

All the evidence you need is the fact that with out Stevens for nearly the entire year the Devils only allowed 164 goals and Brodeur had 11 shutouts. The 164 number is mind boggling! The next closest was San Jose with 183 and then Philly with 186. So suppose you loose Niedermayer and replace him with a respectable D-man, sure its a down grade and sure you loose offense, and sure you loose a d-man who can carry the puck through the neutral zone...but is your defense hurt to the point where you can add another 20 or 30 goals against for the year? And if that is the case, your still talking about the 3rd BEST defence as opposed to the number 1 by far.


And we are talking like loosing Niedermayer is a forgone conclusion...Who knows what the new CBA will bring. There are tons of players who are in Niedermayers situation like Brian Leetch, Adam Foote, Sergie Gonchar, and probably another 10 quality D-men. That is not even considering the 2004 unsigned UFA's.

Think about it, 2001 Devils loose the cup to the Avs and within 1 full season they loose Arnott, Holik, Mogilny and Sykora.

But you received one of the greatest forwards in the history of the league back for Sykora....or has he made you forgotten him already?

But you received one of the greatest forwards in the history of the league back for Sykora....or has he made you forgotten him already?

How can I forget the guy that single handedly beat Ottawa by undressing Wade Redden and delivering New Jersey its 3rd Cup in 10 years.

Is 10.16.1974 your IP address? That sure is a funny looking handle.

Is Stickbow your Native American surname?

Its actually a sexual reference

re: Pahlsson-bashing
hey, where's the love?

in this day and age of trap-N-smother clutch and grab hockey, hardly any team that i can think of has a 20 goal scorer at 3rd line centre (please correct me if i am wrong).

seems like ancient history now almost two years later, but i thought during the '03 Cup run Pahlsson was tougher than leather on the defensive side of the puck even strength and on the PK, cycled his butt off in the corners, and was at somewhere in the 58-60% range on faceoffs.
granted, the Chistov-Pahlsson-Thomas line did not ignite the scoreboard in the postseason but were rock solid and a perfect fit for a tight-checking team on an unbelieveable run.
i am a big fan of Stanislav Chistov and hope he rebounds from the doldrums... i didn't know he knocked somebody's teeth out(?) in the AHL... that's crazy.

Pahlsson was instrumental during the '03 Cup run. He centered the team's most productive line down the stretch that year. To suggest the team can't contend with him is ludicrous.You guys are fixated on numbers.

Back to the subject, I've already given up on Stan. I wasn't convinced even after his decent rookie season, and I'm less convinced now. While I don't think the two goals represents his real level of ability, I don't think he'll ever consistently be a quality top-six forward. And as for the PIMs and fights... give me a break. He's not going to stick on a roster pulling that stuff.