Victor Grachev: Scouting Report

[KaleebtheMighty 1,509]

 VICTOR GRACHEV - D 

S73 VHLM DISPERSAL DRAFT, SELECTED: Round 1, Pick 7 (MIA)
S73 VHL ENTRY DRAFT, SELECTED: Round 2, Pick 24 (WAR)

 

Victor Grachev entered the VHLM with the Philadelphia Reapers and played 26 games near the end of the season as a free agent rookie. From there, we can garner the type of player he will probably mold into in this league based on his stats and skills/performance. He's a young defenseman who stands with a solid 6'3" frame weighing in at 211 pounds. Although inexperienced, he seems to hold the ability to really improve his game where it matters along the course of time. Below is an in depth look at his key stats, pros and cons, and an assessment on his character as well as the outlook for him in the future.

STATS FROM GAMES PLAYED

 

• REGULAR SEASON
  • Out of the 26 games played, he had an impresive 14 +/- ratio as a rookie defenseman.
  • In a small sample size, he scored 2 goals on 6 shots, giving him a 33.33% shot percentage.
  • 46 hits and 22 shots blocked in 26 games are fairly good numbers for the rookie, given that he averaged somewhere between 15-20 minutes a game usually.

 

• PLAYOFFS
  • Due to either a lack of experience or higher competition, +/- ratio fell to -5 in 12 games played.
  • Significant part of penalty kill and helped contribute to an 87.30% penalty kill %.
  • 2 assists in 12 games shows improvement in passing over the course of the season.

 

PROS AND CONS

 

• PROS
  • Victor Grachev has a high rate of TPE earnings per week and continues to improve in key areas.
  • He's built as a solid Defensive Defenseman and is best played as a shutdown defender and a penalty killing specialist.
  • Passing and positioning continue to be a highlight both in the regular season and the playoffs which should continue throughout his career.
  • With some experience, Grachev is projected to have a higher +/- ratio now that he has developed some.

 

• CONS
  • He's not very capable offensively yet. You could argue that his shot percentage is great but that's from a small sample size. With a better passing ability the increase in assists could come, but early on he has yet to hit that mark.
  • His physicality could be improved even with 46 hits from last season. To develop as a true shutdown defender, hits and shots blocked will have to increase next season.
  • Overall his discipline could be improved; he had a knack for taking bad penalties in the form of hooking, tripping, and slashing in the regular season. Although it is not a wild number of penalties, they will have to be reduced to be more effective on the ice.

 

ASSESSMENT

 

Victor Grachev has successfully established himself as a young, rising prospect in the league. With his selection in the VHL draft by the Warsaw Predators, he will look to prove himself on a new expansion team as a possible cornerstone in their defense. For now, Grachev will play another year or so in the VHLM with the Miami Marauders. As a second line defenseman, his attributes could help Miami have a successful season this year.

 

FUTURE ROLE: TOP 4 DEF

POTENTIAL: HIGH

NHL PLAYER COMPARISONS: NIKLAS HJALMARSSON, BROOKS ORPIK