Alexander Avtsin

History

Avtsyn was a classic low-risk, high-reward selection for the Canadiens. A combination of a weak Russian draft class and recent challenges in bringing Russians overseas (see the aforementioned Yemelin and recently traded Pavel Valentenko for Canadiens examples) may have pushed Avtsyn down the draft board.

2007-08: Was on the Dynamo-2 Moskva (Rus-3) roster.

2008-09: Spent the season with Dynamo-2 Moskva (Rus-3), where he potted 56 goals and finished with an impressive 110 points.

2009-10: Alexander once more suited up Moscow Dynamo, playing a limited role in 30 games. He was able to find the back of the net 3 times, with 6 helpers.

2010-11: Avtsin competed for the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs as a 19-year-old in his first season in North America. Injuries, inexperience and the predictable cultural adjustment from his native Russia to Canada limited his role with the North Division champs but the experience should benefit him in the future. In 58 regular season games he scored 5 goals with 15 assists and was +2 with 22 PMs. Avtsin skated in four of the Bulldogs' twenty playoff games and was +2 with 2 assists and 2 PMs.

2011-12: Avtsin struggled offensively in his second AHL season and was played throughout the Bulldogs line-up but showed flashes of his incredible offensive talent. The big Russian forward had inconsistency issues in his overall play, scoring only six goals along with eight assists and a horrible minus 24 rating in 63 AHL games on a weak Hamilton team.

 

Talent Analysis

An excellent skater with a smooth stride, deft hands and big frame, Avtsin is very comfortable showing off his high skill, but his play away from the puck and on defense is still a work in progress.

 

Future

Avtsin has exceptional talent. If he can refine his all-around game or learn to use his body more effectively, he could flourish in an offensive role at the NHL level.