"Nichushkin has a great combination of size and skill. At 6’04, he is a big and powerful forward, who is extremely hard to stop when he decides that he is going to take the puck to the net. He has great stickhandling ability and puck possession skill, allowing him to also add a skilled finesse game to that package of raw power. Add to that excellent vision and playmaking skills, and a real nose for the net, and you have a complete offensive package." - Ben Kerr
Things scouts and other professional/amateur observers said about him:
CON:
"Not many downsides to his game but shot accuracy could be improved." - Steven Campo
"His wrist shot is good, but not great, as he could stand to improve his power, accuracy and release." - Ben Kerr
COACH/GM COMMENTS:
QUOTES FROM THE PLAYER:
MISC:
Nichushkin was recently traded from the KHL's Traktor team to Dynamo Moscow reportedly for a pick and $10 million.
Nichushkin has said he desires to play in the NHL, but that could be two to three years away. He reportedly plans to honor his two year contract with Dynamo before making the jump to the NHL, a similar path taken by St. Louis Blues russian import, V. Tarasenko.
VIDEOS:
Highlight Reel (multi):
PLAYS FROM THE WJC UNDER 20 - 2013
FROM KHL PLAYOFF GAME:
Exlund's Take:
Nichushkin is an intriguing prospect. He has the speed and moves to blow around opponents and the aggressiveness to drive the net and make plays. The fact that he has had a massive growth spurt and is now a formidable 6'4" certainly doesn't hurt his stock in the draft. He had a great KHL playoff while with Traktor but flamed out late in the U18s (his coach said, from exhaustion etc).
I very much doubt he is going to drop to 11th, but I would seriously have to consider taking him if he did, as the best player available. The only hesitation I'd have is his contract status with the KHL and how that factors into plans for him to play in the NHL. He has reportedly said he's going to honor his two year contract with his current KHL team. If the Flyers do their due diligence and are certain that Nichushkin would commit to coming over after 2 years (if not sooner) then it would be very tough to justify not taking him, but I do add a risk point or two because of this situation. Weird things can happen with this kid in the KHL and the government involvement etc. It has to be factored in.
