NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Evgeny Svechnikov

 

Get to Know Evgeny Svechnikov

Date of Birth: 10/31/1996
Place of Birth: Neftegorsk, RUS
Ht: 6’3″ Wt: 205 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Left Wing
Team: Cape Breton Screaming Eagles

Evgeny (Yevgeny) Svechnikov is a dynamic Russian forward who made the jump to North American hockey just prior to his 18th birthday last season. Despite the Avalanche’s presumed interest in a big, talented winger, Svechnikov’s name has flown under the radar for the most part.

His transition to North America was made with one goal in mind — playing in the NHL. Svechnikov made his transition a success story, scoring 32 goals and 78 points in 55 games in his first season with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles of the QMJHL.

In addition to his recent CHL success, Svechnikov has been a fixture on Russian national teams among his age-group, including a 3 goal 7 point tournament in 5 games at least year’s World Junior Classic. He played with Barz Kazan of the MHL Russian junior league prior to coming to North America, and even got a three-game taste of the KHL with the senior AK Barz Kazan squad.

His final Central Scouting draft rating was 17th among North American Skaters, after a mid-term rating of 21st. This seemingly puts him off the Avalanche’s first-round target list at 10th overall, but there is a lot to like about the rangy Russian’s game. His elite stick handling and powerful, accurate shot coupled with his size project him as a potential impact player in an NHL top-6.

Statistics

 

What Scouts See

Elite Prospects, Curtis Joe

Incredibly skilled offensive winger. Has a remarkably accurate shot to go along with some magic hands. Could be better defensively, but his game is based around his acute sense of what is happening on the ice in the offensive zone. All-in-all, a deadly player who possesses good size, elite-level skill, and smooth skating.

Dobber Sports, Brendan Ross

Evgeny Svechnikov is a skilled big man with strength and power. He’s produced impressive QMJHL rookie numbers and it’s not a surprise given his silky smooth puck skills. Svechnikov’s puck handling is particularly impressive in tight quarters where he dangles through legs and sticks with ease.

His best quality is adaptability, knowing when to use his power game versus his skilled game. This two-way attacking ability only makes Svechnikov a more attractive prospect. Throughout his development, both internationally and in the CHL, Svechnikov has flashed an explosive skilled game yet also plays a gritty North American game.

At this point in time, the team drafting this powerful Russian will have the luxury of molding him into whatever player they choose. His overall package is extremely attractive and suited for the pro game.

What BSN Avalanche Sees

When watching Svechnikov, it’s quickly apparent that he is extremely gifted in the hands department. His stick handling is impressive. At times, it seems the puck may be magnetized toward his stick, as he is able to maneuver through traffic and keep control when the opposition closes in on him. His big frame and long reach allow him to keep the puck out of reach of defenders and create favorable angles for himself on the ice.

Away from the puck in the offensive zone, he likes to find open ice in the circle to the left of the goaltender and prepare for a shot. Smart thinking, because he possesses a wicked shot, highlighted by a quick release and accurate crispness.

He isn’t very active on the forecheck, and doesn’t involve himself too much in the cycle game. He will go to the boards if there is a puck battle, but he prefers to set up offense in space or get to open areas of the ice and look for the pass.

I was impressed with his composure with the puck, and ability to slow the game down. When he is “on his game” he uses his excellent vision to see the game unfold, and involve his teammates. His creativity and passing allow him to make a positive impact in all three zones. He gets into trouble when he gets tunnel vision on stick-handling and doing things himself. It opens up potential for an occasional highlight-reel goal, but also for turnovers, especially at the NHL level.

Overall, he’s a tantalizing prospect who isn’t as polished or complete as some of the forwards rated ahead of him, but his talent level and love for scoring could make him one of the steals of this years draft given his ceiling — especially if the “Russian factor” strikes and causes him to fall to the latter half of the first-round.

Highlights

NHL Potential

Svechnikov looks primed to become an outstanding NHL player, for play-by-play commentators to mispronounce for years to come. His ceiling is a first-line winger, with elite finishing and goal scoring ability. He has the hockey sense to be a force in any top-6 if he continues his development path and adjustment to the North American game.

His style isn’t particularly suited for a bottom-six role, so there is some potential for him to be a bit of bust if he can’t come in and produce points at the NHL level.

Expected Draft Position

Look for Svechnikov to be a hot commodity starting in the middle of the first round. Anywhere in the teens feels about right for Svech, but he has a high potential to be a surprise on draft day in either direction.

How Would Svechnikov Fit in the Avalanche Organization?

The Avalanche need forward depth, and there are also some pretty glaring holes on their NHL roster on the wing. He fills an immediate organizational need, and infuses a major dose of talent to the pipeline. My guess is he would need at least another season of development, either with Cape Breton or the San Antonio Rampage.

With Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay in the twilight years of their careers, top-six talent will soon need to be ready to go for the Avs. Svechnikov could look mighty fine playing alongside Matt Duchene, for example, beginning in the 2016-17 season. Many feel an elite winger who can finish will help take Dutchy’s game to the next level. An added bonus to drafting a Russian — it would give goaltender Semyon Varlamov a countryman on the team.

As of today, Svechnikov would be a bit off the board if the Avalanche decided to grab him, but with his talent-level, I wouldn’t blame them. He’s a top-ten talent, but a few question marks are currently dropping his draft stock to the mid-to-late first-round. As the draft approaches, and teams start falling in love with his talents and forgetting those question marks, his stock could rise.