Director of NHL Central Scouting Caught in Massive Lie Regarding Russian Prospects
As we approach the NHL Entry Draft later this month, one of the biggest events leading up to it is the Scouting Combine, which took place this weekend. The top prospects from all over the world participated in a series of physical and mental tests, and teams got their first chances to meet many of the players they'll have the opportunity to draft. In what should've been a happy and eventful weekend, fans have caught one of the NHL's most important scouting voices in a massive lie.
NHL Director of Central Scouting Lied About Russian Prospects
Dan Marr, the NHL's Director of Central Scouting, has been quite active all weekend, giving his thoughts on various prospects, and interacting with many members of the media. A noticeable omission from this weekend's activities were the top prospects of Russian nationality. According to Marr, the NHL extended invites to the top nine ranked Russian prospects, but none ended up coming over.
Fans were quick to do some digging and found an interview with Matvei Michkov from last month, in which he said he had no knowledge of the upcoming NHL Draft Combine.
Marr claims that the NHL extended invitations to Russian prospects, but Michkov, the top-ranked Russian prospect, claimed to have no knowledge of the combine.
Something seems off here.
NHL Intentionally Didn't Give Russians Enough Time?
One possibility that's been floated is that the NHL did extend invitations to Russian prospects, but did so incredibly late relative to players of other nationalities so that the Russians wouldn't have enough time to get a visa and come over.
By doing this, the NHL technically would've extended invitations to those prospects but would've made it all but impossible for the players to get their visas in time for the combine.
Whatever the truth is, something's not adding up between Marr's and Michkov's comments.
As Seen on Twitter
| POLL | ||
JUIN 10 | 90 ANSWERS Director of NHL Central Scouting Caught in Massive Lie Regarding Russian Prospects Do you think Marr lied about inviting Russians? | ||
| Yes | 53 | 58.9 % |
| No | 37 | 41.1 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Vladislav Namestnikov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nino Niederreiter | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Gabriel Vilardi | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Kyle Connor | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Josh Morrissey | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Noel Acciari | - | - | - | |
| Mason Appleton | - | - | - | |
| Morgan Barron | - | - | - | |
| Anthony Beauvillier | - | - | - | |
| Michael Bunting | - | - | - | |
| Sidney Crosby | - | - | - | |
| Dylan DeMelo | - | - | - | |
| Haydn Fleury | - | - | - | |
| Matthew Grzelcyk | - | - | - | |
| Connor Hellebuyck | - | - | - | |
| Alex Iafallo | - | - | - | |
| Tristan Jarry | - | - | - | |
| Erik Karlsson | - | - | - | |
| Rasmus Kupari | - | - | - | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||