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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Knightfall" data-source="post: 3066215" data-attributes="member: 2012">Great things expected of Sens KaigorodovCanadian Press9/15/2006 5:35:37 PMOTTAWA (CP) - The Ottawa Senators have had mixed success with their dips into Russia's talent pool over the years, but they're banking on having their newest prospect make a splash in North America.Centre Alexei Kaigorodov took to the ice for the first time with his potential teammates on Friday and big things are already being expected of the 23-year-old, who signed a two-year, entry-level deal with the NHL team Tuesday.While trying to be cautious with their comments, the Senators, in need of help down the middle, are hoping Kaigorodov can make the grade and jump straight into the NHL."I'm not really going to say much more than he doesn't look out of place," Senators coach Bryan Murray said after putting Kaigorodov through his first on-ice workout. "It looks like he knows the game very well."In recent years, the Senators have had Russian prospects like defenceman Anton Volchenkov step in and contribute right away, but they've also had others like Petr Schastlivy, who worked himself right out of the league despite being given repeated chances to show his skill.Ottawa selected Kaigorodov, a native of Chelyabinsk, Russia, with its second-round pick (47th overall) in the 2002 NHL entry draft, but it wasn't until late August that his club, Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Russian Super League, agreed to suspend his contract and release him to North America.With the off-season departure of veteran Bryan Smolinski - who was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks with Martin Havlat as part of the three-way deal that also included the San Jose Sharks - the Senators could use help at centre.As it stands, Kaigorodov has been pencilled in as the No. 2 guy behind Jason Spezza, and he's being given the chance to take up the role alongside Ottawa captain and right-winger Daniel Alfredsson."He looked good out there. Today was mostly skating and he's a good skater - smooth," said Alfredsson, who also cautioned that it's still too early to pass judgment. "It's way too early. After camp we'll see where we stand. He's very skilled ... so I'm excited."Kaigorodov had nine goals and 23 assists in 50 games last season in the Russian league while sometimes playing on a line with highly touted Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Evgeni Malkin.The Senators want him to provide a natural fit with Alfredsson - the thinking being that it'll make cycling the puck down low and setting up for one-timers more effective. Peter Schaefer would play left wing.The players haven't had much of chance to see each other, but if the combination sticks, it could provide poolies with a sleeper pick."I felt good. I liked it, I just need to get acclimatized more," Kaigorodov said through a translator. "(Alfredsson's) a good player, but we'll need to find an understanding on the ice."There are questions over whether or not Kaigorodov, who's listed at six-feet, 192 pounds, can withstand the more physical NHL game. His coach at Metallurg, Canadian Dave King, raised them himself in recent interviews after Kaigorodov left Russia.However, Senators general manager John Muckler has been singing Kaigorodov's praises for the past couple of years and insisted that he would have been on the team last year had Ottawa been able to secure his release.This time, he'll be given every chance to crack the roster and produce offensively."From what I understand, he's a skilled player, a playmaker, a guy who complements other players well," Murray said. "I don't think you're going to see him run guys out of the building. I do think he'll be an offensive-type player."</blockquote>

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