Grachev vs vanRiemsdyk

It's been great to be able to watch the World Jrs here in the States for the first time. As an American I routed for James VanRiemsdyk a lot for team USA. He played well in the tournament and as a big guy was able to use his size to his advantage, especially around the net. As a Ranger fan I was closely watching for Grachev (and Kundratek) when he was on the ice. Grachev, another big guy who can use his size seems to have good speed, stick handling, passing, and a decent ability to finish too.

Still it got me to thinking about comparing and contrasting these two players and I do believe that Grachev is a steal of a 3rd rounder (thank you KHL). JVR has great abilities to finish and dominates around the net, yet I wonder how well he would dominate around there as the defenders get bigger and more filled out and can't just physically dominate. I also thought his skating seems to be slow. He rarely ever got back to his own zone to help out before the play was going back the other way. I don't know how JVR will pan out but I can't help but draw comparisons to Hugh Jessiman.

I'm no scout and these are my thoughts and figured I'd see what others thought too.

If you could pick one, who would you?

It's been great to be able to watch the World Jrs here in the States for the first time. As an American I routed for James VanRiemsdyk a lot for team USA. He played well in the tournament and as a big guy was able to use his size to his advantage, especially around the net. As a Ranger fan I was closely watching for Grachev (and Kundratek) when he was on the ice. Grachev, another big guy who can use his size seems to have good speed, stick handling, passing, and a decent ability to finish too.

Still it got me to thinking about comparing and contrasting these two players and I do believe that Grachev is a steal of a 3rd rounder (thank you KHL). JVR has great abilities to finish and dominates around the net, yet I wonder how well he would dominate around there as the defenders get bigger and more filled out and can't just physically dominate. I also thought his skating seems to be slow. He rarely ever got back to his own zone to help out before the play was going back the other way. I don't know how JVR will pan out but I can't help but draw comparisons to Hugh Jessiman.

I'm no scout and these are my thoughts and figured I'd see what others thought too.

If you could pick one, who would you?

JVR.

It's been great to be able to watch the World Jrs here in the States for the first time. As an American I routed for James VanRiemsdyk a lot for team USA. He played well in the tournament and as a big guy was able to use his size to his advantage, especially around the net. As a Ranger fan I was closely watching for Grachev (and Kundratek) when he was on the ice. Grachev, another big guy who can use his size seems to have good speed, stick handling, passing, and a decent ability to finish too.

Still it got me to thinking about comparing and contrasting these two players and I do believe that Grachev is a steal of a 3rd rounder (thank you KHL). JVR has great abilities to finish and dominates around the net, yet I wonder how well he would dominate around there as the defenders get bigger and more filled out and can't just physically dominate. I also thought his skating seems to be slow. He rarely ever got back to his own zone to help out before the play was going back the other way. I don't know how JVR will pan out but I can't help but draw comparisons to Hugh Jessiman.

I'm no scout and these are my thoughts and figured I'd see what others thought too.

If you could pick one, who would you?

Sounds like more fear of another Jessiman than an actual scouting report on JVR. There is a huge talent differance between the two.

Sounds like more fear of another Jessiman than an actual scouting report on JVR. There is a huge talent differance between the two.

Can be some truth to that, though this is no scouting report, just a fans observations. Like I said "I'm no scout"

Grachev is a great player haven seen him play numerous times as I live near Brampton, but there was a reason JVR went 3rd overall and Grachev in the 2nd round. JVR is on a whole other level compared to Grachev although he did not show it in this tournament.

Grachev is a great player haven seen him play numerous times as I live near Brampton, but there was a reason JVR went 3rd overall and Grachev in the 2nd round. JVR is on a whole other level compared to Grachev although he did not show it in this tournament.

He went 2nd overall.

I do like JVR better but I fear that he is going to turn into/develop into a somewhat softish big man at the pro level. He plays like a far smaller player and really seems to lack that killer instinct that a player with his size and skill set could dominate with.

I do like JVR better but I fear that he is going to turn into/develop into a somewhat softish big man at the pro level. He plays like a far smaller player and really seems to lack that killer instinct that a player with his size and skill set could dominate with.

I see him following a similar path to Bobby Ryan. But that is more because of cap implications that actuall talent. Philly is capped out and loaded with forwards, JVR will sign a contract and get atleast one year in the minors. He could probably play on 80% of NHL teams next season, but if he gets that year in the minors he will be much more ready to play.

He will be a good NHL player, a 70 point plus guy in his prime.

VanRiemsdyk

Grachev is a beast, and a great steal going in the 70s, but still. JVR>Grachev

Grachev is slower and more of a floater. Less in every category IMO. This isnt close.

Grachev is a beast, and a great steal going in the 70s, but still. JVR>Grachev

hes in 70's because alot of NHL teams believe Russian players will not want to play in the NHL.

JVR all the way around...JVR is going to slide into a great situation in Philly, most likely replacing Knuble in the slot on the PP, and he'll have guys like Richards and briere just feeding him the puck


Grachev will get mismanaged by the rangers, underperform, party too much in brighton beach, then get traded for jan Hejda


No, but in all seriousness, JVR's skill set is complete. Even if there wasn't a Russia problem with Grachev, he would have been picked no higher than 25-35...JVR went 2nd overall....Huuuge difference

JVR hands down. Despite his mediocre showing at the WJC, he's still a complete player. Once he perfects the use of his frame, he'll be very hard to play against.

Grachev could be an exciting prospect for the Rangers and fills a hole in this organization --a top-six winger with size-- even if right now that hole is only filled with potential.

Actually they are both big men who play kind of small. Talented but not power forward material. Even though I was very disappointed in JVR this week (at almost 20 he should have led the tournament in scoring) he didn't suck, and continues to improve. You can never tell until they prove it, but to me he will almost certainly be in the NHL in the next two years and at this point looks like a potential first line talent.
Grachev is a 90, and while he looks okay he has to crank it up a notch before you can picture him on an NHL club, never mind top 6. He is another player I want to see next year when Hodgson is gone from Brampton and Filatov and the talented 89s on the Russian team are gone from the WJHC roster. If he takes advantage of the new opportunity then he will go from justified draft pick to blue chip prospect.
One could be in the NHL next year and the other still has to learn to dominate teenagers. Grachev has come a long way though.

Lol. As a UNH student that has seen JVR play several times, I can safely say that he is eons ahead of anything Jessiman was or ever will be.

Grachev looks to be a nice player and is having a good season in the OHL, but JVR takes this one every day of the week and twice on Sundays. Devils draft pick Adam Henrique is having a good season as well, but that doesn't mean we have to put him up against Hodgson, Boychuk, Eberle, or other players of an obviously superior skill level.

JVR is just a special player; nothing against Grachev. I have no idea how this poll is even within 20.

Don't base this on when they were drafted thats just stupid, base it on what you've seen. From what I saw this tournament, JVR looks a bit lost and grachev looked good vs Canada.

JVR, and it's not that close right now IMO. He has better hands than Grachev and is a better finisher. If Grachev works on those 2 things the gap might close.

on the very limited time i've seen both (a couple of games) I'd take Grachev but i know that realistically VR has a better chance of becoming the best out of the two.

Don't base this on when they were drafted thats just stupid, base it on what you've seen. From what I saw this tournament, JVR looks a bit lost and grachev looked good vs Canada.

JVR has nine points to Grachev's four. I'd take a lost VanRiemsdyk over Grachev.

I personally think it's stupid to compare these two players just because of this tournament. JVR is obviously receiving alot more attention from opposing teams and still has more points. Yes, Grachev is having a good OHL season, but JVR is having a good season at UNH as well.

I would take Grachev in a heartbeat ..i like the kid..based on this tournament , i have not watched either in their own leagues .

As pro-Russian as I am, I pick JVR every time. There should be a new poll beetween JVR and Goncharov/Filatov. That would be closer IMO.

JVR.

He's going to be a franchise left-wing in the NHL.

JVR is the best prospect in hockey.

Grachev is not a top 50 prospect in hockey yet.

JVR and not close.

It's amazing how a little tournament like this can get a poll like this so close.

It's JVR and not remotely close but apparently his utter domination at Vermont matters nothing right now.

JVR for sure,

but Grachev was very impressive this WJC...