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Russian 2004 NHL Entry Draft review - Rounds 1 and 2

Written by: Eugene Belashchenko on 07/20/2004 Subscribe to HF's RSS Feed

 

1ST ROUND:
#1 ALEXANDER OVECHKIN (Washington Capitals) (RP projection: 1st overall)
There's not much to say about this pick, since Ovechkin was projected to go No. 1 for the past couple of seasons. One question that remained until the Washington Capitals finally announced his name was whether the young forward would be a Capital, or if the organization would trade away the pick. Rumor has it that the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins made some tempting offers to the Capitals, but none were good enough to wrestle the pick away from the Caps. Malkin’s strong performance late in the season raised some rumors that he might beat out his countryman for the first overall pick, but that did not materialize on draft day. The Capitals came a way with a franchise player, who has already played professionally for three seasons since the age of 16 in the Super League, which is widely recognized as the second best league in the world after the NHL. (Visit RUSSIANPROSPECTS.com for an In Depth Evaluation of Alexander Ovechkin's selection, Alexander Ovechkin's Detailed Player Profile )
#2 EVGENI MALKIN (Pittsburgh Penguins) (RP projection: 2nd overall)
Evgeni Malkin was a favorite to go No. 2 in the draft for most of the season, but really came on strong in the last few months of the 2003-04 season. The 6’4 center delivered a solid rookie season in the Russian Super League, coming away with the Rookie of the Year honors despite missing a month with a concussion. Malkin also captained the gold winning Russian national team at the 2004 U18 WJC, where he was clearly Russia’s best player on the ice in every game. There was no question who the Penguins would draft with their first pick on June 26th and like the Washington Capitals, the Pittsburgh Penguins came away from the draft with a franchise player, who will be with the NHL club for many years to come. A full year younger than Ovechkin, the talented play maker has the long term potential not only to match, but also to surpass the No. 1 overall pick. Malkin has voiced his intentions to play in the Russian Super League for at least another season before coming over to the NHL. The decision is the correct one for the young player. Despite his impressive height and wide shoulders, he clearly still hasn’t filled in his frame and needs another season to become physically stronger and more prepared for the rigors of North American hockey. (Visit RUSSIANPROSPECTS.com for an In Depth Evaluation of Evgeni Malkin's selection, Evgeni Malkin's Detailed Player Profile )
#15 ALEXANDER RADULOV (Nashville Predators) (RP projection: late first round)
With the selection of Konstantin Glazachev and Grigory Shafigullin, the Nashville Predators turned their gaze towards Russia during the 2003 NHL Entry Draft and the 2004 draft was more of the same. The NHL club selected Alexander Radulov 15th overall in the first round, making him the third Russian to be picked up in the draft. With his vision of the ice and scoring ability, Radulov has the potential to become an impact player on a club that is starved for offense. However, the young forward will need to learn to perform better against physical opponents. Later in June, Radulov was drafted by the Quebec Ramparts and has committed to the QJMHL club for the 2004-05 season. While the league may not be the most physical of the junior leagues, it will allow Radulov to acclimate to North American hockey before jumping to the NHL. (Visit RUSSIANPROSPECTS.com for an for an In Depth Evaluation of Alexander Radulov's selection, Alexander Radulov's Detailed Player Profile)
2ND ROUND:
#42 ROMAN VOLOSHENKO (Minnesota Wild) (RP projection: early second round)
Voloshenko is a great pickup for the Wild early in the second round. The young forward is a budding power forward with a great shot and ability to finish. He was Russia’s top scorer at the U18 WJC, solidifying himself a spot in the fringe of the first round. The young forward will remain in Russia with the Soviet Wings in Russia’s High League (Russia 2) for the 2004-05 season, but considering that the Wild are a young organization, the young player may put on the Wild uniform as early as the summer of 2005. (Visit RUSSIANPROSPECTS.com for an for an In Depth Evaluation of Roman Voloshenko's selection, Roman Voloshenko's Detailed Player Profile and Exclusive Post Draft Interview )

#44 ROMAN TESLYUK (Edmonton Oilers) (RP projection: N/A - North American player)
The hard hitting 6’1 and 190 lb Siberian crossed the ocean last summer to play for the Kamloops Blazers in the junior WHL. Prior to the 2003-04 season, Teslyuk was known to be a talented skater and possess an impressive shot, but surprisingly he did not excel offensively in the WHL. Still, the young player was one of the top blue liners available out of the North America leagues and accordingly was drafted in the second round.

#50 ENVER LISIN (Phoenix Coyotes) (RP projection: late first round)

Projected to be a late first round selection, Enver Lisin’s drop to this late into the second round was quite a surprise. The young winger may have been the fastest skater available in the draft and has a wealth of potential. He may be a bit of a project, but the Phoenix Coyotes clearly came away with a steal in the second round. Lisin signed a contract with Ak Bars Kazan and will start the 2004-05 season on the club’s fourth line, making his Super League debut. (Visit RUSSIANPROSPECTS.com for an for an In Depth Evaluation of Enver Lisin's selection, Enver Lisin's Detailed Player Profile and Exclusive Post Draft Interview)
#58 KIRILL LYAMIN (Ottawa Senators) (RP projection: late first round)
Considering Lyamin’s impressive performance in the Super League and on Russia’s National team at the U18 WJC, his fall so late into the second round was shocking. The hard hitting defenseman is a solid overall package and the Ottawa Senators came away with an absolute steal. A reason for his drop may have been a “back injury” he suffered in late November. Despite some initial reports, the injury was only a muscle bruise in the ribcage area, which quickly healed and does not merit any long term concerns. The young defenseman will continue to skate with CSKA Moscow in the coming 2004-05 season and will likely build on his impressive 2003-04 performance. (Visit RUSSIANPROSPECTS.com for an In Depth Evaluation of Kiril Lyamin's selection, Kiril Lyamin's Detailed Player Profile and Exclusive Post Draft Interview)
#62 MIKHAIL YUNKOV (Washington Capitals) (RP projection: late second round)
Looking for a center to replenish the club’s relatively light depth at that position, the Washington Capitals drafted the talented young Russian late in the second round. Yunkov is a versatile two way player who centered Russia’s dynamic Radulov – Yunkov – Voloshenko line at the 2004 U18 WJC. Known to be a defensive expert, he also has a solid offensive upside. The young forward will start the 2004-05 season with the Soviet Wings in Russia’s High League (Russia 2). (Visit RUSSIANPROSPECTS.com for an In Depth Evaluation of Mikhail Yunkov's selection, Mikhail Yunkov's Detailed Player Profile and Exclusive Post Draft Interview )
 

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