[Sandman]

Draft Thoughts:

Feb.11th: Not much was expected from 6'6",209lb rearguard Alexander Sapozhnikov, who earned a "C" rating from Central Scouting- after all, he was languishing in a lower league last season, which was actually his draft-year, and wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. This season to date, he has spent most of his time in the KHL, but has only seen time on the ice in five matches (no points), and has sat for 25 contests. Even when he's in the lineup for his KHL team, he isn't getting the ice-time to make an impact. In the MHL, he has impressed offensively, with 15 points in 18 games, split between Kapitan Stupino and his new team, SKA St.Petersburg, but his game is very raw and inconsistent in most areas-even though he turned 19 in January. Sapozhnikov is #37 for Europeans in Central Scouting's Mid-Term Rankings.

Obviously, Sapozhnikov is blessed with size and suffocating range, and although his mechanics aren't 100% perfect, he displays excellent four-way mobility for a big man, and surprising agility on his edges. His primary weapon is his overwhelming shot that he uncorks prolifically, and uses as a playmaking tool on the PP. Most of what he creates comes from his high-volume of shots that gives goalies problems in making the save, creates havoc around the net, and supplies teammates with a steady flow of second-chance opportunities. His one-timer is an absolute cannon, and his wrister is quite dangerous. Sapozhnikov is active in the offensive zone, walks the line with purpose, and will pinch into the play for better looks- although he seems a bit too static at the top of the zone at times on the PP. He's a fairly good passer, and has flashes of higher-end vision and creativity, but his on-puck game is a bit lacking. He will, however, carry through transition with confidence on occasion, and exudes strong puck-protection and reliable handling when doing so- but he is a bit limited to keeping things safe and simple for the most part. Going the other way, his size and enormous range can cover up mistakes, but he is getting better at tightening up his gaps against the rush, and being more aggressive in-zone to suffocate opponents. Sapozhnikov plays a physical brand of hockey, and can cut off entire sections of ice with his massive wingspan and active stick that he uses to block lanes and stifle passes- and when he pins an opponent to the boards, they're stuck. Upon recovery, he mostly relies on quick, short feeds to exit the zone, while mitigating risk, but flashes the ability to stretch the ice with a longer breakout pass once in awhile. Sapozhnikov is raw, and will undoubtedly be a long-term project, but there are plenty of teams who will take him with a mid-round pick.