Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Nichushkin selection to Team Russia causing rift in leadership

Dallas Stars v Nashville Predators

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 12: Valeri Nichushkin #43 of the Dallas Stars skates with the puck during a NHL game against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on December 12, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery/ Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Valeri Nichushkin

Ronald C. Modra/Sports Imagery

When Team Russia announced their roster for the 2014 Winter Olympics, Valeri Nichushkin’s name being on it was a bit of a surprise.

After all, he’s just 18 years old and he doesn’t have a long history of international experience. According to a report from Russia, his selection has caused a bit of a rift between Team Russia’s coach and GM.

Russian coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov said Nichushkin’s inclusion was “an advanced payment” that he “must justify.” In other words, it’s a risky selection that had better pay off.

Team Russia’s GM Alexei Yashin (yeah, him) views it differently.

“It’s hard to talk about an advance payment. It’s the wrong word,” said Yashin, who played 850 career NHL games. “Nichushkin has earned the call to the Olympics with his game.”

Nichushkin has nine goals and 22 points in his rookie season with the Stars. Yashin says his performance is reminiscent of rookie seasons from John Tavares and Sidney Crosby. You can’t say he’s not going to the wall for the guy he picked.

There’s a lot of pressure for Russia to win big at the Olympics. They last won a medal in 2002 (bronze) and they were embarrassed by Canada when they were knocked out in 2010. Now that they’re playing host, they want gold badly. If Nichushkin helps them do that, Yashin will look like a genius.

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT