Russian prospect showing potential

Alexei Cherepanov has drawn comparisons to Alex Ovechkin or Evgeni Malkin.
THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
PHILADELPHIA -- It wasn't that long ago that the Flyers didn't hold Russian prospect Alexei Cherepanov in very high regard.
Yes, they thought he had some talent, but he wasn't in the class of an Alex Ovechkin or Evgeni Malkin.
Subtracting from his value, as general manager Paul Holmgren admitted last month, was the questionable NHL transfer agreement that the Russian Hockey Federation never seems to agree to.
Lately, however, the 6-foot, 183-pound right winger, who plays for Avangard Omsk in the Russian Super League, has been tearing things up and has actually posted offensive numbers better than either Ovechkin or Malkin at age 17.
"That's scary when you think about that," Holmgren said.
Cherepanov, who recently turned 18, was ranked the No. 1 overall prospect on one recent survey for this summer's NHL Amateur Draft, although one Russian journalist visiting Philadelphia this week says he is nowhere near the talent level of Ovechkin or Malkin.
"He's a good player," Holmgren said this week. "Our scouts all saw him just last week and they were raving about him."
Transfer agreement
The NHL's transfer agreement problem didn't stop the Washington Capitals from taking a chance on Ovechkin. And it most certainly didn't prevent the Pittsburgh Penguins from going after Malkin, who had to sneak out of Russia to North America. The Penguins and the NHL went to court over Malkin to keep him here.
So the transfer agreement should not be a stumbling block for the Flyers. Not even a consideration, to be honest. It always works out.
"I do trust the process and I trust Bill Daly," Holmgren said, referring to the NHL's deputy commissioner who handles such matters. "When we get to the point on draft day we take who we believe is the best player and I don't think the transfer agreement is an issue."
It's widely believed the Flyers have already targeted several North Americans ahead of Cherepanov: right winger Patrick Kane, who plays for Comcast-Spectacor's London Knights, a franchise the Flyers have enormous interest (financial and otherwise) in; New Jersey left winger James Van Riemsdyk; and Quebec center Angelo Esposito.
No top prospect
Unlike the last several drafts, there is no prospect among the top 10 who is considered to be an immediate impact player or who could step into an NHL lineup right now.
So, in a year when the Flyers will likely finish with their all-time worst record, they are not going to get a Sidney Crosby, Ovechkin or Malkin.
"We can't lose to win," quipped retired Flyers chief operating officer Ron Ryan a few weeks ago in Atlanta.
Ryan was dead-on.
You'd think after all these years of not having the top, overall pick in the draft, the one time the Flyers could get it -- there is the draft lottery to contend with -- there isn't a young phenom out there.
Make no mistake about it, however, this is a critical draft for the Flyers to get a player they can develop to his full potential.