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2014 NHL Draft: A Look at the Top Russian Prospects |
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Most years, it seems like there are a couple of Russian prospects who are considered wildcards in the NHL Draft: players with the talent to be top-five to top-10 picks in the Draft but who inevitably have question marks attached that could cause them to drop on Draft day. Fairly or unfairly, the questions almost always center around the "KHL threat" and often get extended to the player's work ethic, consistency, commitment to two-way hockey and attitude.
This year, there are just four Russian players who are considered serious candidates to be selected within the top 50 picks of the draft, and only one played overseas this past season. The rest came over to North America to play major junior hockey in order to increase their desirability to NHL teams and either starting to learn (or advancing rudimentary) English.
Central Scouting included three Russian players in the CHL in the top 25 of its North American skater rankings: Saskatoon Blades (WHL) 15th-ranked right winger Nikita Scherbak, 18th-ranked Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) forward Ivan Barbashev, and 24th-ranked Sarnia Sting (OHL) right winger Nikolay Goldobin.
All three of these players are likely to chosen either in the first round or at least by the early stages of round two. In what figures to be an exceptionally difficult Draft to predict, these three players could get taken in any order.
Scherbak, a 6-foot-2 winger with very good speed and a bit of sandpaper to his game, posted 69 points (26 goals, 43 assists) in 54 games to lead a weak Saskatoon team in goals, assists and total points this season. He also led all WHL rookies in those key categories.
This time a year ago, Scherbak was virtually an unknown in North America. Picked third from last in the CHL Import Draft and speaking very little English, the Moscow native surprised everyone but himself by fitting in very quickly and making what can be a difficult transition appear almost seamless. In fact, Scherbak's game of combined finesse and grit appeared to be even better suited to the North American style than to the big-rink game. Many of his goals were scored in the high traffic areas.
"I came to Canada because I want to play NHL, and it is [a] good chance I go to [the] draft," Scherbak said in a video segment on the team's official site. "I like this hockey. will play here [in North America]. [It is] good for me when I play here. No Russia."
On the hockey front, Scherbak showed a lot of skill and determination in compiling a strong first season in the WHL. His play away from the puck still needs work but has come along quickly. Like most players his age, he also needs to add muscle to his frame. In terms of communication, Scherbak's English improved so rapidly over the year that he is already comfortable being interviewed in his second language. Personality wise, he had little trouble fitting in with his teammates.
Apart from his lofty Central Scouting ranking, Scherbak was ranked 27th overall by International Scouting Services. TSN's Craig Button had Scherbak ranked 35th in his final pre-Draft Craig's List.
“Great skill and smarts," Central Scouting's Peter Sullivan said in describing Scherbak's best assets. "He’s played all three forward positions this year but his strength is on the right wing being a left hand shot because he loves to drive the net. He’s an unselfish player and has really adapted well to the North American game.”
Goldobin entered the 2013-14 season hyped as a potential top-10 pick in the 2014 Draft. Despite the struggles of his Sarnia club, Goldobin had a strong offensive year in his second OHL season. The 18-year-old racked up 38 goals, 56 assists and 94 points in 67 games to lead his team in both goals and points and tie defenseman Anthony DeAngelo for the club lead in assists. He ranked seventh in the Ontario Hockey League in points and was tied for sixth in assists.
"It was something special to watch "It was something special watch [DeAngelo] and Goldobin work the puck on the power play," said Sarnia assistant coach Andy Delmore.
Nevertheless, Goldobin's pre-season rankings dropped a tad over the course of the season. Part of it had to do with rumors that the player may return to Europe to play in the KHL if he does not get an NHL spot next season. The other part was due to a perceived lack of commitment to two-way play.
According to Red Line Report's Kyle Woodlief, "He has the super hands/skills going for him, but the questions about his work ethic and willingness to remain in North America long-term are beginning to chip away at his draft stock."
An NHL scout, who declined to comment on the signability issue, acknowledged that there are some mixed reviews on the player from a hockey standpoint but the offensive part of his game is advanced for a player Goldobin's age.
"Skill wise, Goldobin is excellent. Very dangerous one-on-one, with quick changes of direction and well above-average stickhandling. He is creative with the puck, a very good passer and a good shooter. In terms of the checking part of the game and dealing with guys who play him physical, there is room to improve," he said.
International Scouting Services ranked Goldobin 28th on its final list; one spot behind Scherbak. Button's final Craig's List had Goldobin 34th, one spot ahead of Scherbak.
Barbashev entered the season listed an a A-rated prospect by Central Scouting; the lone QMJHL player to go into the 2013-14 season with that designation. He went on to post 25 goals, 43 assists and 68 points in 45 regular season games for the Wildcats, serving as an assistant captain. The 18-year-old Moscow native represented his country in the World Junior Championships, producing one goal and one assist in seven games. During the QMJHL playoffs, Barbashev racked up 10 points (four goals, six assists) in six games.
As his lofty assist totals would suggest, Barbashev's best asset is his playmaking ability.
"The biggest part of his game is that he competes hard," Central Scouting's Troy Dumville told NHL.com early in the season. "Last year he played wing and later made the adjustment to center, so he's a pretty adaptable kid with good hockey sense. He does a lot of the little things. His defensive-zone coverage was really impressive."
Ranked 22nd among North American skaters on Central Scouting's mid-term report, Barbashev climbed four spots in the bureau's final ratings. The ISS ranked Barbashev 19th overall in its final rankings. The Hockey News had Barbashev 11th overall at mid-term. Button had him 14th overall in his final Craig's List for TSN.
An NHL scout said that, like Sherbak, Barbashev plays a style that can be effective in the NHL but believes that Barbashev is the more naturally talented of the two. He likened the player's skill set to a somewhat smaller version of the Flyers' Jakub Voracek at the same age.
"[Barbashev is] a fast skater but also has good quickness, which isn't always the same thing," said the scout. "You see some guys are fast but it doesn't amount to much, and other guys who might not be the fastest but get to pucks sooner because they take good routes and anticipate well. Barbashev can do both. He accelerates fast andd can win a foot-race in open ice but he can also stop on the puck."
"Barbashev also has a good compete level. I'd like to see him shoot the puck more, because he has a good shot but he threads the needle as well as anyone in the draft."
Central Scouting's Swede-heavy final rankings for skaters playing for European team includes just two Russian players in the top 20. Metallurg Magnitogorsk left winger Vladislav Kamenov was ranked 13th. Lokomotiv Yaroslavl junior team defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov was ranked 17th and his teammate (and frequent blueline partner) Nikita Cherepanov was ranked 22nd.
The Central Scouting European goalie list has one Russian in the top five; fifth-ranked Metallurg Novokuznetsk (KHL) goaltender Ilya Sorokin got bypassed in last year's NHL Draft but is a candidate for a late-round selection this time around. He is a lanky and athletic goaltender who appeared in 27 games this season for a weak team, posting a 2.90 goals against average and .911 save percentage.
Among the KHL-track players, the fastest riser is Kamenov. The player, who spent the majority of the season with Magnitogorsk in Russia's top junior league (the MHL), also dressed in 16 KHL games for Metallurg. At the MHL level, he had four goals and 10 points in 15 games. Kamenov scored one goal for the senior club to record his first pro-level point.
Kamenov, who has the type of frame (6-foot-2, 205 pounds) and skill level that generally appeals to NHL scouts, captained the Russian team at the Under-18 World Championships. It was there that he made his strongest impression of the season, showing both finesse and power to record seven points (two goals, five assists) in seven games. Arguably, his best game of the tourney came in Russia's 3-2 shootout win over Canada.
The most vocal pundit in touting Kamenov's long-range upside has been Craig Button. The former NHL general manager and longtime scout ranked Kamenov 12th overall on his final pre-Draft Craig's List after having him 24th shortly before the Under-18s. International Scouting Services also had Kamenov as a potential first-round pick, ranking him 29th overall.
Philadelphia Flyers Blogger •NHL.com • 
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