[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts (Russian Edition, Vol. 9):

RD Eduard Bondar (6'5",194lbs)
Val D'Or (QMJHL): 50gp/ 3g/ 9a/ 12pts, -14, 36 PIM

If the name Eduard Bondar (ranked #110 NA Skaters) sounds familiar, it may be because he was the player traded by the Shawinigan Cataractes to Val D'Or for the rights to Flames' prospect, first-rounder Matvei Gridin, before the start of the current season. Bondar had some hype of his own, being chosen 16th-overall in the 2024 CHL Import Draft by Shawinigan, but now plies his trade for the Foreurs, who are in 13th-place out of 18 teams, 7th-overall in goals-for, and 17th in goals-against. This behemoth righty makes his living as a shutdown defenseman, but it's tough sledding to try to keep pucks out the net on his current team. Bondar is no less than an impressive skater, especially for a player as large as he is, with a long, powerful stride, swift four-directional mobility, and surprising agility that enables him transition seamlessly, pivot quickly, and surf across the ice laterally to seal off the boards.

The big Russian is stifling against the rush, and can easily match footwork with smaller opponents, although he sometimes employs a very loose gap. His enormous reach, combined with his range and mobility, make him like a moving wall that is difficult to get past over the blueline. He guards the middle, forcing attackers outside and away from the net. He possesses high-end awareness, and keen timing to intercept passes, and exerts a fairly detailed shutdown game. Once he gets ahold of the puck in the d-zone, he has several crafty ways of getting the puck out of danger with quick, short passes to his teammates, or by bounce-passing off the boards to their sticks. He makes secure first-passes to kickstart the breakout with consistent reliability, and can stretch the ice with his breakout feeds on occasion. He wins races in retrievals, gets inside position, and uses various forms of deception to make his escape from pressure. Bondar is incredibly active and engaged in all three zones, and frequently jumps into the rush as an extra attacker, and will charge up the middle like a freight train to attack the net, if he sees the opportunity. He also activates off of the point with the goal of creating offense, but these forays don't seem to earn him many points as he's more of a facilitator than a creator, and makes simple plays to funnel pucks to the net, or to teammates in the slot; his stalwart defensive game, and puck-moving ability will most likely be his selling point going forward. It's a good sign though, that he has ideas and the confidence to try things, even when they don't work out.

Bondar is a big body, and though I would like to see him be meaner, and throw hits more prolifically, he does play a physical game, and uses his size well to win puck battles along the boards, and to get inside on his opponents. He has the ability to step up in the neutral zone to carry through transition, and has gone end-to-end on occasion, but he usually defers to teammates with short, connecting passes. Bondar is still a bit raw, and needs runway to grow into his body, but he will be scary when he's fully developed as he's already quite mobile. He could use work on his decision-making, but he's an impressive prospect with enormous potential. Look for him in the 3rd, or 4th round.