Nik a quick learner

By AL STRACHAN -- Toronto Sun Over the years, there have been thousands of hockey players who had the talent to be stars in the National Hockey League, but for one reason or another didn't develop.
More often than not, the reason was their inability to learn. In fact, it's surprising that some of them didn't die of incomprehension.
The other side of the coin is the Maple Leafs' 19-year-old centre, Nik Antropov, one of the leading contributors to Toronto's 4-0 win over the Atlanta Thrashers last night. All over the NHL, people are shaking their heads at his rapid rate of development.
There also are lots of of head-shakers closer to home -- in the Leafs dressing room, for instance.
"He's just playing really solid up the middle," said linemate Mike Johnson, whose goal last night was set up by Antropov.
"He's really good in our end and he had three or four good hits in the open ice.
"He's spreading the puck around. He has a lot of talent and he's improving all the time."
Probably much of the improvement has to do with Antropov becoming more comfortable, getting his confidence and seeing what he can do in this league.
"Every game he's getting better," Johnson said.
When the scouts got their first serious look at Antropov, he was playing for Kazakhstan in the world junior championship in Winnipeg last January. The scouts' consensus was that he had great hands and a remarkable ability to see the ice, but that his skating needed serious work.
Now, less than 10 months later, he's in the NHL and looks quite comfortable.
He looks much better than he did only a month ago when he was playing for the Leafs in the pre-season.
At that time, the question was not whether he could play in the NHL, but whether he would be better served by spending time in junior hockey, in the American Hockey League or in Russia.
Last night, he made it clear there is no further question in that regard. He belongs in the NHL.
In the first period, he was the dominant player on the ice. When Thrashers such as Denny Lambert, Kevin Dean and Chris Tamer tried to run him, they bounced off. That doesn't happen if the target is not steady on his skates.
He created plays in the Atlanta end and he was strong in his own end. His line -- with Johnson and Dmitri Khristich -- easily was the Leafs' most dangerous.
Leafs backup goalie Glenn Healy, who got the shutout last night but gets to spend a lot of time watching his teammates in action, also gives rave reviews to Antropov.
"He has been a real pleasant surprise," Healy said. "For a guy who was not supposed to skate well, he really has come on. He has the hardest shot on the hockey club, believe it or not. His shot is un-believable. If he ever knew how hard it was, he would shoot the puck more.
"He has great reach. You would think he's slow, but he's not. He moves very well for a big guy and he doesn't back down from any physical play. What more can you ask for in a young kid? And he's not fazed by tense situations."
Why has Antropov shown such considerable improvement? There are several reasons, but one is dominant. He's a quick learner, an ability that can never be taught.
Sixteen months ago in Boston, the Leafs made him their first-round draft pick and although it was a shock to a lot of teams, the Edmonton Oilers weren't one of them. On their list, Antropov was ranked first in the world.
When it came time to talk to the media, Antropov couldn't do it. He didn't know a word of English. But now, he can carry on a conversation. He learns just as quickly off the ice as he does on it.
In training camp, many of the St. John's Leafs were with him. Most of them thought he was at their level and were not surprised when he joined them in the minors.
"But after two games, you could see he didn't belong here," one of his teammates said. "He's too good for this league."
Antropov still has some rough edges. For instance, even though he is only too willing to play a physical game, his attempts at bodychecking are clumsy -- not surprising for someone who has played most of his life in low-contact hockey.
But that's a small problem and like everything else, he will learn to correct it -- quickly.

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