Jagr on Nichushkin: 'this guy is going to be the best in the world'
Jaromir Jagr knows a thing or two about what it takes to be one of the very best hockey players on the planet, so when he drops this comment about Dallas Stars rookie forward Valeri Nichushkin, one can't help but take notice.
Jagr on Nichushkin: "Maybe it was his best 3 games I watched, but I said, ‘This guy is going to be the best in the world one day.’"
— Tom Gulitti (@TGfireandice) December 20, 2013
Jagr added the rookie that has impressed him the most this season is the 18-year-old Russian, which should come as no surprise considering the earlier comment. On top of that, he said he's never seen an 18-year-old "dominate" with size and strength like Nichushkin did in the games he watched.
Drafted tenth overall in the 2013 NHL Draft, Nichushkin has put up modest point totals in his first 33 games, with six goals and 12 assists on his resume. Four of his goals, however, have been scored in the month of December, and more and more attention and praise is being heaped on him as he takes on a bigger role in the Stars' lineup.
On top of that Nichushkin leads the Stars with a 54.3 percent even strength corsi for while averaging 15:00 of ice time per game.
General manager Jim Nill has done yoeman's work in terms of putting the Stars on a positive track moving forward, and if Jagr's comments are any indication, Nichushkin may in fact be the centrepiece of any long-term success achieved in Dallas.