NHL Prospect Profile: Andrei Svechnikov

Statistics

Scout Quotes

Elite goal scorer with size who combines power and finesse with an exceptional understanding of his role as a top-line talent. Svechnikov has the uncanny ability to not only stickhandle in and around traffic, but also position himself away from the puck while defenders are fixated on his equally skilled linemates. You have to keep tabs on Svechnikov at all times, and it seems as if opponents play tentative every time he’s on the ice. – Steve Kournianos, The Draft Analyst

Andrei Svechnikov is an elite level sniper. He may not be NHL ready right away, and could possibly use another year of development, but he should still be an elite sniper at the next level. Svechnikov should be a first-line, franchise-defining goal scorer. – Ben Kerr, Last Word on Hockey

AJ’s Thoughts

This is my favorite player of this entire draft class. He’s a special prospect that doesn’t come around very often and the only reason he isn’t being talked up as more of a potential superstar is his position just isn’t as impactful. We’ve seen great wings like Jarome Iginla and Alex Ovechkin have Hall of Fame caliber careers and experience limited postseason success because teams who build around wings don’t typically achieve much success.

Svechnikov is the kind of player you can do your best to build around as he is in the Vladimir Tarasenko mold of a big wing with a lethal shot and he plays with a nice power element to his game. He does everything offensively at an elite level. It won’t be long before he is tearing up the NHL with his combination of hands, vision, and shooting ability.

Highlights

Avalanche Fit

Svechnikov would have been an ideal fit for the Avalanche as they lack high-end offensive playmakers, especially at wing. His fit in Colorado would have been better than Mikko Rantanen’s and they would have created a dynamic one-two punch on the right side that would have been the envy of the league.

Rankings

#2 Hockey Prospect
#2 Future Considerations
#2 ISS Hockey
#2 McKeen’s Hockey