Draft Thoughts:
Feb.11th: Watch out for "C"-rated LHC Lavr Gashilov (6'2.5",170lbs), I don't think he's getting the proper respect. Though he's one of the oldest first-time draft-eligibles for 2026 (born on September 23rd, 2007), it is no less impressive that he's 4th in MHL scoring, with 14 goals and 55 points in 42 games for Avto Yekaterinburg- which is 12 points more than his nearest teammate. Gashilov has racked up the most assists (41) of any player in the league, an indicator of the level of playmaker he is, and just to quell concerns about his age/points ratio a bit- his 40 points in 43 games in 2024-25 was 4th for U-18 players, and tied for 48th-best all-time by a player of that age group. He is currently #33 for European Skaters in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.
Gashilov possesses heightened vision, anticipation, and creativity that enables him to thread the needle to teammates in high-danger through the smallest of holes, and the soft-touch passing skill to put the exact amount of weight and velocity needed on his feeds, right to the recipient's wheelhouse. He reads the ice at an advanced level, and understands how to bait pressure in order to open space to pass into, using delays and cut-backs. The problem is that he tends to stop moving his feet when he has the puck in the offensive zone, and does most of his damage at low-pace- which is often the difference between a star KHL player, and an everyday NHLer. The good news is that his high IQ keeps him on the right side of the puck at all times in a perfect defensive position, and he plies a highly projectable off-puck game, with good attention to detail. While he desperately needs to bulk up and get stronger, he uses his ample frame to win battles at a high frequency, and he plays a physical brand of hockey- he has even been known to drop the gloves on occasion. Gashilov skates and handles like a dream, and though he isn't a burner, he moves very well, and employs smooth edges for outstanding maneuverability. His stickhandling is near-elite, giving him the ability to make highlight-reel dekes and dangles through would-be checkers, and weave through traffic with full control of the puck. He also has a fairly heavy shot with a snappy release that he should use more often, with a proficiency in using screens to his advantage, but he needs to improve his accuracy, as he misses his target frequently. Gashilov is also proficient in faceoffs. Most of his game is projectable, and scouts love a play-driving center, but his pace must improve by leaps and bounds. Look for him in the 2nd-round.
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