Nikita Flipachyev - Rookie Profile [1/2]

[Arayvenn 14]

RW - Nikita Flipachyev - Scoring Winger


Name: Nikita Flipachyev
DOB: January 1, 2000
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Height: 71in (6ft1)
Weight: 199lbs
Position: Right Wing
Handedness: Left
Shot Preference: Wrist/Snap

Scouting Report
Nikita is a big bodied scoring winger. The offensive dynamo carries the puck well and skates well. With an explosive first step, Flipachyev is always able to make room for himself on the ice with ease, making him a prime candidate to lead any team's offensive breakout. Nikita has played with confidence for the OHL's 67s playing on the team's top line since his rookie season and running the team's top powerplay unit. During his time in Ottawa he has racked up a plethora of points and asserted himself as one of the league's elite goal scorers. Flipachyev is a big bodied winger who would benefit greatly from playing the body more and injecting some grit into his play along the boards, but as it stands, the winger has shown some mindfulness with his defensive play and attempts to make the smart play in his own end, improving each year. Still, his two-way game leaves some to be desired.

Strengths
Flipachyev's powerful and effortless skating ability coupled with his keen goal scoring instincts are what make the winger a coveted prospect in the S63 VHLM draft. His ability to pick the puck off your stick and blow past your entire team into the offensive zone in what feels like an instant has had OHL defensemen keeping an eye on the scoring threat at all times. Against his peers it seems as though he's always a step ahead and should you catch yourself in a foot race with him, you're in trouble. Paired with a blistering, lethal snapshot, Nikita has proven himself to be one of the OHL's premiere goalscoring threats, capable of scoring goals from everywhere in the offensive zone. Emulating his play after his childhood hero, Pavel Bure and drawing comparison's to Winnipeg's Patrik Laine, the 18 year old winger is a true bluechip goal scoring prospect.

Weaknesses
The gaps in Flipachyev's game come from his play along the board. His hesitation to get into those hard to play areas can cost his team prime goalscoring opportunities, a shortcoming he is aware of and working on. Despite a large frame for junior, Nikita also doesn't often play the body. Capable of laying devastating hits on his opponents, fans rarely see this side of the European's game. Despite strong stick play, Flipachyev's tendency to not play the body has cost the 67s defensively many times throughout his tenure and has left many scouts wondering if the winger is nothing more than a powerplay special. Skepticism the young winger is eager to try and dispell. The fiery Russian is also quick to become emotional. With a burning urge to win, frustrations mount easily when success does not come his way. Notorious for late game lazy penalties when snake-bitten or down a couple bad goals, his lack of discipline has cost the 67s in key moments, though this has been less true in his most recent seasons.

[DollarAndADream 3,356]

Review:

Pretty good RP. The sections are separated fairly well.

I would ask to make it look a little better by maybe bolding the 3 strengths within that paragraph as well as the cons in the other one.

Nonetheless, fine Rookie Profile.