Going to be previewing a few of the players I'm hearing a lot of discussion about involving Ottawa in the first round. Up first, Alexander Burmistrov of the Barrie Colts.
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When Alexander Burmistrov made the move from the Kazan Ak-Bars to the Barrie Colts, many believed he'd have a difficult time adjusting. Often times, young Russian players have to get a feel for the North American game and all of its intricacies, but Burmistrov hit the ground running.
By all accounts, Alexander Burmistrov is a top 15 pick, with an abundance of strengths and very few weaknesses. In one season with the Barrie Colts, Burmistrov tallied 65 points in 62 games, and then added 16 points in 17 added games through the playoffs. Obviously Burmistrov was playing on a loaded Barrie team, but the fact that he flashed constant signs of personal brilliance during the season, and showed that he could play second fiddle to other big guns as he continued to grow.
On the offensive end, Burmistrov is a guy that loves to be in control. Burmistrov is a playmaker, plain and simple, constantly looking for the open man and makin all of the right reads. Burmistrov can turn defenders into pylons with a plethora of moves, and is one of the most fluid passers available in the draft. Very few players possess the kind of stick still that Burmistrov has in this draft, but there is room for improvement. His shot, which he does locate at absurdly precise levels, lacks the kind of boom required at the professional level. This kind of power will come with time.
Said EJ McGuire(Director of Scouting):
“He’s like a water spider out there on the ice. Light on his feet, but he’s got a venomous strike like a snake when he goes on the offense. Speed and agility, great fakes and he’ll bring players, fans, alike out of their seats.
On the defensive end, Burmistrov has absolutely flourished. For those looking at two-way players, Burmistrov has to be at the top of the list. His "active stick" (sorry guys) in the defensive end and complete wherewithal balance out his small frame, a la Pavel Datsyuk. While Burmistrov is a small player, he's not afraid to put a body on body, and the effort is definitely there. Those trying to place a Russian stereotype on players coming in should look elsewhere, because with Burmistrov the question is never about effort.
As a skater, Burmistrov ranks about average. He has a nice burst out of the gates, and can go "balls to the wall" when needed, but overall there are faster players in the draft. Many might be taken aback by the fact that such a small player isn't blazingly fast, but Burmistrov isn't exactly your ordinary hockey player. For instance, Burmistrov loves playing on the penalty kill, and got some significant time with Barrie on their specialty unit.
As always, there are question marks about players in the draft, and Burmistrov is no exception. I've continually alluded to his small frame, and I probably cannot harp on this glaring issue enough. Right now, he's standing in at 6'0" 155, and will undoubtedly need to add 20 pounds at the minimum to become an impact player in the NHL.
Burmistrov also can be a nightly disappearing act. Some games, Burmistrov was arguably the best player on the ice, and that's saying something when looking at the brazen levels of talent on Barrie's roster. Conversely, Burmistrov was nowhere to be found on other nights. And, as always, NHL franchises must be careful about drafting Russian players. While Burmistrov looks poised to make to the jump into professional hockey here,
While rumors, which look to be true, have Burmistrov heading back to Russia for the 2010-2011 hockey season, he has definitely demonstrated that he plays a game that can easily translate to the North-American ice surface. However there is no doubt that this will hurt his draft status to a certain extent.
Pros: Skilled playmaker. Defensive wizard. High levels of hockey intelligence. Deadly in the offensive end.
Cons: Size, size, size. Shot power not there yet, either. Flight risk?
Ottawa Senators Blogger • 
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