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Evgeny Nezhmetdinov Scouting Report

 

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Bio

 

Name: Evgeny Nezhmetdinov

Team: Oslo Storm

Player Type: Speedy Playmaker

Position:  Right Wing

Shoots: Right

Height: 5’7

Weight: 154 lbs

Birthplace: Aktobe, Kazakhstan

 

Build

 

CK = Checking: 40

FG = Fighting: 40

DI = Discipline: 40

SK = Skating: 64

ST = Strength: 42

PH = Puck Handling: 65

FO = Face Offs: 40

PA = Passing: 61

SC = Scoring: 48

DF = Defense: 42

PS = Penalty Shot: 40

EX = Experience: 40

LD = Leadership: 40

 

Grades (2-8)

 

Shooting:  4

Playmaking: 6

Skating: 7

Physicality: 2

Defending: 2

 

Strengths, Weaknesses, and Opportunities

 

Strengths

 

1: Speed:  To play professional hockey as someone under six feet tall there is one ability that you must absolutely have, getting the hell out of the way.  After that it also helps if you can use speed to help your team.  Nezhmetdinov has solid puck skills which help him move across the ice with the puck on his stick, a valuable asset for five-on-five play.  Some scouts have described his speed as blinding, and while that may just be high praise there is something to be said about this players moves.  They are above "above average".

 

2: Hands:  With the puck on their stick there may be no better prospect in this draft than Nezhmetdinov.  He can carry the puck with his light hands and can make quick passes in the offensive zone to help set up his teammates.

 

3: Drive: Despite an off ice incident involving his arrest some time before joining the VHLm, Nezmetdinov has made a large presence in the media as of late and is seen as a rising star.  He has taken to the gym to keep himself out of trouble, and while the results are not showing on the ice just yet he has been causing some heads to turn.

 

Weaknesses

 

1: Defense:  The biggest knock against Nezmetdinov is clearly his play in his own zone.  While he excels with the puck on his stick, it can be seen in his body language that he is not at all comfortable when he is not in charge of the action.

 

2: Power: With only 154 pounds to his name Nezmetdinov struggles along the boards, in corners, and in front of the net.  His game mostly takes place along the circles and in high slot, so he can minimize the negative effects of his obvious size disadvantage.

 

Opportunity of Improvement

 

Shot:  As it stands now Nezmetdinov is far and away the best and most pure playmaker heading into the upcoming draft.  According to VHLSC Draft Rankings, “[Nezmetdinov] has the makings of a proper pass-first player and fits the playmaking build to a tee”.  While that is all well and good, if the sneaky forward were to focus some more practice time into his wrister he would have the makings of a complete offensive forward and grow into a feared weapon in the VHL.

 

 

Putting It All Together

 

In what has quickly become a goalie and defense heavy draft, one tiny Kazak may very well be the second best forward in the whole class.  The speedster is playing on a deep Oslo team now and his production has been held back by such players as Gio Reuel and Le’Sean Coutzen.  By next season however Nezhmetdinov should be the offensive leader on the team.  With the ability to move the puck to his teammates as well as to carry it into the offensive zone himself, the only real knock on his offensive game is a still developing shot which should be VHL ready sometime in his sophomore year.  And while his game is best suited to spend as much time away from his own net as possible, he will become a Power Play specialist at the next level that should become an elite right winger during his prime.

 

Projected Round: Late First

 

NHL Comparison: Ray Whitney

 

 

Word Count: 651

Edited by BeanSobie
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