[Sandman]

RW/LW Ilya Fedotov,6'1"176lbs (Chaika Nizhny Novgorod,MHL): 54gp/18g/20a/38pts,28PIM, 4th in MHL scoring for players under 18. Offensive-minded, top-flight talent with the potential to amaze and delight every time he has the puck on his stick. Bit more of a scorer than playmaker, but pretty balanced.

Fedotov has one of the best shooting arsenals in the draft-both his wrister and slapper have power, and accuracy. His scoring ability is second to none. He will go the net, either making plays in tight, or setting up for high-danger passes, rebounds, or tip-ins. He also anticipates the play very nicely, and is still quite creative, with good playmaking sense, and crisp, accurate passing. He has high-end offensive instincts, with good work-ethic, and a high motor to go with it. Unlike many of his young Russian counterparts, he still affects the play without the puck on his stick, and is always looking to find open space to make himself an option. He looks pretty useful on the backcheck-he battles for possession along the boards, and in the corners, working to break up rushes, and snuff out the cycle. Exhibits good positioning to box out attackers, and recover turnovers-he has no problem rubbing out an opponent along the wall either. He has a good stick to break up lanes, and pick off passes-and once he does, he's fully capable of dishing a nice breakout pass. Fedotov has a physical side when he needs to separate an opponent from the puck, or when he's confronted-he competes well in the dirty areas, and in front of the net. He displays good puck control in these areas, as well as when he's slashing through traffic. High compete.

I've noticed, in regards to his skating, that he has a nice top-speed in situations where there's a loose puck, a scoring chance, or an opportunity to beat a defenceman wide. In those instances, his legs extend further, his stride gets longer and more powerful, and posture gets lower to maximize energy-all generating a very good top speed, and the ability to slash through traffic. Many times during a game, he's coasting while waiting for the play to develop, which can happen on the bigger ice-but then he has a second gear that's short and choppy with an upright torso, and not much power. All in all, I think he needs better lower-body strength to develop better first-step quickness, and more overall explosiveness, but he's a good skater, albeit inconsistent. Needs work on his upper-body strength as well, and his conditioning. Fedotov may have increased his allure, had he been able to crack any of Russia's National Teams in the last few years, but he's come a long way-though scouts will consider that to be a huge negative. Fedotov is a prime breakout candidate for the team willing to spend a pick on him, as he could develop into a dominant force-he's got the toolkit to be a top-6 winger in the NHL. He's ranked 69th by MacKenzie.