Top Draft Prospects: Mikhail Sergachev
With the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft just two days away, we look at the top prospects available Friday night. Previously we took a look at Auston Matthews,Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi, Matthew Tkachuk and Pierre-Luc Dubois; next we’ll examine our first defenceman, Mikhail Sergachev.
Bio
Position: Defence
Birthdate: June 25, 1998
Hometown: Nizhnekamsk, Russia
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 220 lbs
2015-16
After coming over from his native Russia to play in the OHL, Sergachev actually struggled in the first half, having trouble adjusting to his new surroundings. When he found that comfort level however, his play took off. Racking up 57 points in 67 games, Sergachev won the OHL’s award for top defenceman, only the second rookie in league history to do so (Bryan Berard in 1995).
The Spitfires ran into a strong Kitchener Rangers team in the playoffs and went down in five games, while Sergachev tallied five points. He was held scoreless in the Under-18s, as Russia went down to the eventual champion Finnish team in the first elimination round.
Statistics
Windsor Spitfires: 67 GP, 17 goals, 40 assists, 57 points, 56 PIM, +15 rating
OHL Playoffs: 5 GP, 2 goals, 3 assists, 5 points, 8 PIM, -4 rating
U-18 WJC: 5 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, 8 PIM, 0 rating
Scouting Report
A beautiful skater, Sergachev glides around the ice with ease and transitions well from the offensive and defensive zones. He doesn’t get rattled with the puck on his stick in his own end, calmly moving it out of the zone and avoiding danger. With a well developed body, he uses it to it’s full advantage leveraging players off the puck or pinning them against the boards.
While his even-strength game is effective, it’s his point play when a man up that leaves scouts drooling. Sergachev is the prototypical quarterback, with slick passing skills and a booming slapshot from the blue line. He seems unbelievably calm out there despite his young age.
Sergachev normally looks like one of the best players on the ice, however some scouts have found that every now and again he seems a bit disinterested in the game and has been known to take a shift off. Now, this might be a problem going forward or it might just be that the OHL level isn’t providing a big enough challenge for him currently. If he’s to unlock what seems like endless potential in both ends of the ice, he has to improve his consistency and continue to play with his physical edge. As players get bigger, better and more experienced, he won’t be able to coast on his natural talent.
Projected Future Role
Top-pairing defenceman/Powerplay threat.
NHL Timeline
Sergachev is another young draftee, not turning 18 until Saturday, and isn’t eligible for the AHL next season (or the one after that). With the choice of the NHL or OHL, he’ll probably be headed back to the Spitfires next year, however there is a possibility with the right team and a strong summer he could break camp as an 18-year old rookie in 2016-17. Some clubs may fear he’ll take a step back even in just his second OHL season, if they believe he was already throwing away shifts because of disinterest this year.
Top Draft Prospects: Pierre-Luc Dubois
With the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft just two days away, we look at the top prospects available Friday night. Previously we took a look at Auston Matthews, Patrik Laine, Jesse Puljujarvi and Matthew Tkachuk; today we’ll look a little closer at Cape Breton Screaming Eagle Pierre-Luc Dubois.
Bio
Position: Center
Birthdate: June 24, 1998
Hometown: Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Quebec
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 205 lbs
2015-16
After scoring 45 points in 56 games as a 16-year old in his first season in the QMJHL, Dubois turned up the offense this year as he continued to grow into his large frame. His 99 points in 2015-16 placed him third in the league, trailing only 20-year old over-agers in Conor Garland and Francis Perron (128 and 108 points respectively) and easily topped Red Wings’ first-round pick Evgeny Svechnikov and the rest of the Screaming Eagles.
The Eagles would go down in the second round of the playoffs, but it wasn’t because of Dubois, as the big center put up 12 points in 12 games despite being suspended for the first round opener after a illegal check late in the season.
Dubois didn’t see any international competition this season, as he was cut from World Junior Championship roster along with fellow top prospect Jakob Chychrun. Perhaps he used it as motivation for the massive season he put up thereafter.
Statistics
Cape Breton: 62 GP, 42 goals, 57 assists, 99 points, 112 PIM, +40 rating
Playoffs: 12 GP, 7 goals, 5 assists, 12 points, 14 PIM, +3 rating
Scouting Report
Seen by many as the second best center available this year (behind Matthews), Dubois provides an excellent power option down the middle. With a combination of strength and skill, he’s an exceptional scoring threat with the puck on his stick as he heads into the zone, or along the boards down low. While his shot isn’t as highly regarded as Laine’s, he gets it off very quickly and with a lot of accuracy, especially in tight.
His skating, while not as developed as Matthews’, is actually a strength as he uses his long stride and powerful lower half to move quickly around the ice. He often catches defenders off-guard with his top gear, despite lacking an elite first few steps.
In the defensive end, Dubois isn’t afraid to use his size to remove attackers from the puck, laying thunderous checks that sometimes toe the line of legality. After the whistle, he’s often involved in scrums because of his style of play, though he has recognized his value to the team and learned to keep his cool. A smart player, he’s usually in a good position defensively, and should be able to handle that part of the game at the next level.
While his offense is driven by a power game similar to Stars’ forward Jamie Benn (who, incidentally, he models his play after), he lacks elite-level creativity and may be limited by it at the NHL level. If he can continue to grow into his frame, and improve his acceleration and defensive game he may eventually become a number 1 center in the NHL, but there is some doubt he’ll stay in the middle long-term. At the very worst, he becomes a big winger with some finishing ability and a lot of nastiness.
Projected Future Role
Top-six power center/front line power winger.
NHL Timeline
Dubois isn’t set to turn 18 until the day of the draft, and because of it isn’t eligible for the AHL until 2018-19. Even with his advanced size and strength, he’s almost a lock to head back to the Screaming Eagles for at least one more season. Look for him to challenge for the CHL scoring title before entering the NHL as a 19-year old in 2017-18.
Top Draft Prospects: Matthew Tkachuk
The NHL draft is now less than a week away with the first round set for this Friday. Over the next several days, we will be taking a closer look at the prospects who will hear their name called early on Friday night.
Next up is Matthew Tkachuk, the son of ex-NHL’er Keith Tkachuk.
Bio
Position: Left Wing
Birthdate: December 11, 1997
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 200 lbs
2015-16
Tkachuk’s debut season in major junior was nothing short of great. He was part of the OHL champion London Knights and skated on their top line with Toronto prospect Mitch Marner and Arizona prospect Christian Dvorak. Tkachuk tied for the second most assists in the league and finished fifth overall in points, the best among any draft eligible prospect. He also finished second in postseason scoring, collecting an impressive 40 points (20 goals and 20 assists) in just 18 games.
He also suited up for Team USA at the World Junior Championships, finishing tied for the team lead in scoring with projected first overall pick Auston Matthews. As the Knights won the OHL title, Tkachuk was also able to suit up in the Memorial Cup, scoring the tournament winning goal in overtime against Rouyn-Noranda.
Statistics
London: 57 GP, 30 goals, 77 assists, 107 points, 80 PIMS, +45 rating
WJC’s: 7 GP, 4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points, 6 PIMS, +7 rating
Memorial Cup: 4 GP, 5 goals, 3 assists, 8 points, 4 PIMS, +8 rating
Scouting Report
Tkachuk is a very well-rounded offensive winger. He’s an elite passer who sees the ice extremely well while his shot, though not used as often in London, is also above average. Skating is an area that needs improvement – it’s not a weakness but he’s not as strong a skater as some of the other top prospects in this draft class. He’s also highly above average at protecting the puck and is quite effective at working the cycle game.
On the defensive side, he’s a work in progress. He’s capable of making the right reads but his commitment to doing so tends to waver. Part of that is a by-product on being part of an elite offensive team that could score their way out of trouble so that’s something he should improve on over time. Physically, he’s strong enough to cover bigger forwards down low and along the boards in his own zone and can use his strength to create turnovers.
One of Tkachuk’s biggest strengths is his willingness and ability to get to the high traffic areas. He has no problems taking a hit to make a play or deflect a shot and is strong enough to withstand the physical pounding for doing so. He sometimes gets a little too involved in the rough stuff which is something he’ll need to improve on over time as well.
Projected Future Role
Front line power winger.
NHL Timeline
Physically, Tkachuk is ready to step into an NHL lineup right away. However, his skating and defensive zone play needs to be improved before he can really become a top player at the pro level. It’s feasible to think he’ll spend most of this season at the junior level before making a run at a full-time roster spot in 2017-18.