Ovechkin: Kucherov will be one of the greatest players in Russian history

If anyone's an authority to opine on Russian hockey, it's Alex Ovechkin.

The Washington Capitals star had high praise for countryman Nikita Kucherov when recently asked about the Tampa Bay Lightning forward.

"He's a tremendously skilled player," Ovechkin told Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "He's got great shot, great vision. He's going to be one of the greatest players in the history of Russia."

The pair played together with Russia at the World Cup of Hockey in September, where they both recorded three points in four games and were eliminated by Canada in the semifinals.

Opposing NHL coaches are also taking notice of Kucherov's impact.

"He can do damage anywhere. He's fearless on the rush, he's fearless with the puck, he makes plays off the rush, he wins one-on-ones," St. Louis Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock told Smith.

"He makes some exceptional passes where you think there's not a (chance)," Capitals bench boss Barry Trotz said. "He sends a rocket saucer pass through five sticks and legs."

"He's not a big guy, but man, is he ever strong on the puck. He might be underrated if you don't play him very much, but if you play him a couple games, he's a hell of a player."

Kucherov ranks second on the NHL's points list with 29 and sits tied for fourth in goals with 13 through 26 games this season.

The 23-year-old has 80 goals and 177 points in 237 career contests, and his .747 career points per game put him ahead of former Russian stars Igor Larionov and Slava Kozlov on the all-time list, albeit in a smaller sample size.

His 1.12 points per game this season also has him in elite company, as he trails only Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and teammate Steven Stamkos in the category.

Kucherov's production has been critical for the Lightning, who've been forced to play without Stamkos since the captain was ruled out for at least four months after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus in November.