Why Flyers are better off without Maxim Shabanov

The Philadelphia Flyers did not sign KHL free agent Maxim Shabanov, despite months of rumors. But, they could be better off without him.

The electrifying Russian winger decided to sign with a team that wasn’t the Philadelphia Flyers. Maxim Shabanov, the top KHL free agent this summer, after months and months of rumors and reports that he was going to sign with the Flyers, has chosen to sign with the New York Islanders instead.

While it would have cost the Flyers nothing but a contract and a roster spot — since Shabanov wasn’t leaving his childhood team to go play in the AHL — we think that they could certainly be better off not even having to go through bringing the 25-year-old winger on board.

Sure, this might just be coping with not being able to have another potentially fun, new player on the Flyers, but there are real concerns about Shabanov even being able to play in the National Hockey League.

When Shabanov was heavily rumored to be signing with the Flyers, we turned to someone who actually watches the KHL, to get their read on the player and how his game could potentially translate. Elite Prospects’ Dylan Griffing, who scouts all three major Russian leagues for the premier public prospect website we all know and love, was able to give some clarity on what Shabanov in the NHL could look like.

Will his game translate to the NHL? If not right now, what would need to improve?

“I struggle with seeing a smooth transition to the NHL. It’s not for a lack of skill in Shabanov – he’s a very talented player – but there is an objective difference between how defense is played in the KHL vs. the NHL. In the NHL, space creation is much more difficult and relying on slipping off the radar of the opponent is not a tactic that breeds success.

 

The obvious limitation comes through his size, as well. He avoids physical play like the plague which works enough at the KHL level with the level of engagement that defensemen have; however, in the NHL, he won’t have the luxury of being able to pull off a quick spin to put his back to the defender to open up his playmaking game because of how much more aggressive NHL defenders are to close off plays like that. In terms of improvements to make, it’s a bit tough to say before he starts playing games in North America.

There’s always the chance that his skill and speed clears the physical gap, but in my opinion, Shabanov is what he is at this point. He’s highly skilled, pacey, and loves to carry pucks through the middle. If you take out the inside game, he may just be a perimeter playmaker where he has the vision and passing skill to succeed. However, now we’re looking at a player who can get stuck to the walls, which is a recipe for disaster with his frame. It’s a Nikita Gusev type situation, a player who is too good for the KHL, but might just not have the NHL style in him.”

While we have all seen the viral highlights that has Shabanov weaving his way through some defenders and twirling around with the puck in between his legs, someone who understands what the winger brings to the entire game, has doubts about how he will be in the best hockey league in the world. And, as Dylan mentions, we have seen a whole lot of forwards who were KHL MVP finalists end up not being able to stick in the NHL just because of the faster pace and just how much better the players are.

Could Shabanov pull all of those fancy moves against NHL defenders? Maybe some, but most would close the gap much, much quicker and be right on top of him and his 5-foot-8 frame.

There are doubts from smart people, but we would also not be surprised if he was able to figure it out and try to limit the perimeter play. And if that happens, the Flyers would still be in a position to be completely fine.

Even with Tyson Foerster potentially being out to start the season, Shabanov would be in a tough battle with multiple wingers to earn a spot on the roster. Alex Bump is the most bullish Flyers prospect we have seen in a while and he brings a much more complete package than Shabanov; Nikita Grebenkin is a heavy winger that can bring that desired physicality; Porter Martone might surprise everyone and make the team ahead of schedule; and even some outliers like Devin Kaplan, Alexis Gendron, Karsen Dorwart, and of course Jett Luchanko, would provide some resistance for Shabanov making the team. Nothing would be certain and the second the 25-year-old Russian winger experiences an NHL training camp, he might find himself slightly over his head.

Call it cope, but we would still be publishing Dylan’s quotes about being skeptical if Shabanov could be an NHL player even if the newest Islander signed in Philadelphia. It would be getting a fun player for free, but also now without him, it’s nowhere near the end of the world and the Flyers might have multiple wingers who bring a more complete game, not even make the team out of camp.