Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziggy Lidstrom
I would take him over Reinbacher and Axel. He has some serious wheels and edge work. Some really nice passes. But those are just highlights. What are his in zone reads like? Does he battle on the boards? What is his gap control like?
He does look like a one man break out with his head up looking for a good stretch pass.
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-I haven't seen much video of D Mikhail Gulyayev, but he sounds like a world beater. He's only 5'10", but he's as dynamic and productive as you can hope for in an offensive D-man. 25 points in 22 games with Omskie-Yastreby of the MHL, Russia's top junior league, which puts him second in the entire league, with 1.14 ppg (behind a guy who only played 7 games), a big feat for a 17 yo playing in a U-20 league. His production gave him promotions to the VHL (4 points in 12 games, 1st for U-20 players), and the KHL (1 point in 13 games). He's said to be one of the best skaters in this class, and his offensive potential is up there with Axel Sandin Pelikka. His speed, edges, 4-directional mobility, and smooth stickhandling backs up defenders, and he can break ankles with his moves. If you look at his highlights, he can pull off hard, accurate, long-range passes through traffic. Elite vision, IQ, and offensive skills. Killer transitional player, makes plays off the rush, and is a fine shooter. His defense is perhaps average, and will need fine-tuning. The Russian factor will be present, but most think he has a shot at the first round.
-Gulyayev's countryman, D Dmitri Simashev is a different animal- a 6'4", 200 lb animal. I know very little first-hand about this player too, but he's said to be a difference-maker in both ends of the rink. 12 points in 33 MHL games, which earned him 18 games in the KHL, where he scored no points, but received positive reviews for his defensive play. Like Gulyayev, he is said to be one of the best skaters in the draft, and on a D-man who is 6'4", that should be enough, but he also exhibits elite puck-control and possession. It's a treat to watch him skate and handle the puck, weaving through traffic, and undressing opponents, I would recommend you try it. Unlike Gulyayev, he is a defensive stalwart, but has an extensive offensive toolkit, and vision. Good passing game, doesn't give up possession, and creates solid outlets- or, he can easily skate it out with full control. Supreme awareness and processing skills all over the ice, but his offensive touch is not showing up on scoresheets. That has a lot to do with his team, and his teammates- most seem to agree that there's a whole other offensive dimension just waiting under the surface. He's usually the best player on the ice. Needs work on his shot, release, and physical play, but there's easily first-round talent here, along with top-2 potential. Russian factor will come in to play, but like Gulyayev, he could slip into the first.