Time for another series at McKeen’s from our scouting staff. The 2026 NHL Draft season is well under way, and our scouts have been busy soaking in the action around the globe. Analyzing early season play can be difficult, perhaps even a bit of a ruse. Hot starts aren’t always sustainable, and cold starts are not always indicative. However, players can still catch our attention in positive ways and that’s what this series intends to highlight.
This is RUSSIA
Henry Lawrence - Regional Russian Scout
Lavr Gashilov
Center - Avto Yekaterinburg (MHL)
6-foot-2, 170 pounds
After an impressive DY-1, Lavr Gashilov returned to the MHL with the sole mission to fill the scoresheet. Lavr has started the season with an impressive 1.92 PPG, the highest in the league. Ivan Demidov is the only player in league history to have surpassed this pace in their draft year. The best part is, the way he is playing makes this pace seem fully sustainable over the rest of this season.
Gashilov is a gifted playmaker who dictates play in the offensive zone. He plays a similar game to Nikita Kucherov where he likes to slow down and attempt difficult pass plays to create offensive looks. He is an incredibly smart player who combines detailed reads of the ice with flashy stick handling and great timing to hit cutting teammates and move pucks to spots most players would not even consider.
Off the rush, Gashilov is incredibly dangerous. He has great speed when wants to turn it on and can dismantle defenses with his quick and creative hands. He is a difficult player to stop due to his elite puck protection and ability to execute quick decisions without hesitation.
Without the puck, he puts in solid effort to dig pucks out in battles, but I would like to see more. Last season, he played the game at a much higher pace and with more aggression which seems to have left his game this year. He is producing at a much better rate without this pace, but his overall game looks much better when he plays with a motor. Another concern with his development is lack of opportunity at higher levels. Gashilov has clearly mastered the MHL and needs to get some chances at the pro level to continue his growth. Avto unfortunately has a log jam at the VHL and KHL levels at forward but there is not much more that Lavr should need to prove to at least get a few games.
Gashilov is a very impressive playmaker with an incredibly high ceiling if he can get the right development and guidance over the next few seasons.
VIDEOS
A perfectly placed pass off the rush hidden with a deceptive look off. Quick, smart, accurate passes without any hesitation.
Elite handling around the defenseman and a finish on the backhand in tight.
Fantastic stick work to win possession in the corner in a 1v2 situation and immediately finds a teammate in the crease to set up a goal.
Perfect example of his scanning and playmaking. Lavr receives the puck in the corner and starts scanning the offensive zone. The second he spots his teammate back door, he fires a pass right on the tape for an easy tap in.
Alexander Ivanov
Defense - Bars Kazan (VHL)
6-foot-2, 181 pounds
Alexander Ivanov made the AK Bars VHL team out of camp and very quickly showed that he is not out of place at the pro level. Last year as a 16-year-old, he earned the trust of his coaches at the MHL level and was rewarded for strong defensive play with top four minutes on a consistent basis. Ivanov has shown flashes of elite defensive play as well as some good puck rushing abilities with a large runway to grow all aspects of his game even further.
The main skill that stands out with Ivanov is his defensive positioning and his stick checking talent. He is very aggressive with step ups and seems to break up play with a quick poke at the perfect moment. He is strong with one hand on his stick and times strikes well to disrupt play and force many turnovers each game. He will need to continue to dial in his ability to read plays and choose his moments, but he has shown a real knack for stopping play in its tracks.
Skating has been a real strong point for Ivanov this season as well. He is a very smooth and fluid skater who can accelerate quickly to jump into play. His use of hip opens and mohawk pivots allow for the creation of space and to open up new lanes to pass through. He is still learning to use his feet to move pucks up ice and join the offense, but he is showing a lot of promise for the future based on his skating, puckhandling skill, as well as cuts to open himself up in the offensive zone.
Decision making with the puck is a work in progress as he often forces plays without much thought but there have been just as many moments where he creates with smart passes. He will need to become more patient with the puck, but he has more than enough talent and smarts to figure out this side of his game.
Ivanov has been one of the biggest standouts in Russia thus far due to his unique combo of defensive timing and explosive skating. If he can continue to build upon the traits that tie these two skills together, he could become a dominant two-way defenseman at the NHL level.
VIDEOS
An aggressive step up with the stick along with a great angle allows for Ivanov to shut down a rush chance early before it can develop. Then he shows some nice edgework and handling to protect the puck.
Aggressive jump on the pass and immediately explodes up ice with impressive speed and fires a heavy wrister on goal.
Perfect step up here. Alexander maintains a perfect gap, angles his man to the boards, and seals him off with a heavy check. He does this on a consistent basis, shutting down pros with ease.
Great vision to read the upcoming play and jump the lane to break up the pass before it’s too late.
Ivanov’s work with the stick is always perfectly timed allowing him to break up play with minimal effort.
Yan Melnikov
Forward - Chaika Nizhny Novgorod (MHL)
5-foot-10, 176 pounds
Yan Melnikov has stood out as one of the most dynamic two-way forwards from this year's Russian class. Yan has gotten a look at both the MHL and VHL levels this season and has shown impressive traits on both sides of the ice.
Melnikov is a pest and plays a brand of hockey that is frustrating to deal with. He has a very high motor and uses his speed well to win battles and grind for possession. He is not afraid of contact and earns every second of possession he gets. He plays with passion and gives his best every shift to help his team in any way necessary.
With the puck on his stick, Yan impresses by combining his motor with high end skill to create offensive looks. He uses his speed to enter the offensive zone and uses any of the weapons in his arsenal to beat opponents and find space. He has a heavy wrist shot which has found the back of the net, he has the hands to beat players 1v1 and has shown some talent as a puck distributor from behind the net and the half wall. On top of all of this, he has shown off as a net front presence as well. He works hard to carve out some space in front and is able to get sticks on rebounds and quickly converts them into shots and passes.
For Yan, consistency will be key this season. He is sort of stuck in limbo where he is going to be called up to the VHL and sent down to the MHL many times. This will be a challenge to get fully comfortable, but so far he has shown that he can contribute in many ways no matter where he is told to play. He is a real jack of all trades who can provide many valuable moments for his team on a nightly basis.
VIDEOS
Bullet wrist shot from Melnikov. He is a multi-tool able to create all over the ice.
Nice showcase of speed to create a 2v1 and sets up a one time finish with a perfectly placed pass right in the wheel house.
Yan flashes himself as an option below the net and once he reads the play he cuts to the net front and buries the rebound for an VHL goal.
Yan shows off the motor on the PK, charging after the puck and rocking his opponent to the ice with a heavy check.
Yaroslav Matyev
Defense - Amurskie Tigry (MHL)
6-foot-5, 220 pounds
Yaroslav Matyev has been one of the most interesting players I have watched so far. The 6-foot-5 giant combines physical defensive play with solid skating and some offensive prowess which creates one of the biggest boom or bust prospects from this year's class.
Defensively, I have been very impressed with many of Matyev’s reads. He shadows opponents well and maintains a good gap, covering his man and working to shut down options. In transition, he has done a great job of cutting rushing forwards off by angling them towards the wall and crushing them with a big hit.
Physicality has been a major plus in Yaro’s arsenal. He uses every inch of his massive frame to lay into opponents, stopping them in their tracks. One thing I really like about his physical game is how calculated it seems. He is not just throwing his body at everything that moves, he puts thought into his decisions and crushes opponents when the timing is right.
Matyev’s offensive game is a work in progress, but he has shown some flashes which have me hopeful about his potential play with the puck. His skating is above average compared to many other defensemen his size. He has rushed the puck on occasion and has enough speed and agility to work his way into the zone. His puck skills are not great, but he has pulled off the odd pass to set up a few looks.
A lot of work is going to need to be put into this player for him to have an NHL future, but he has shown plenty of good traits which I think make the investment worthwhile. The system he plays in (Amur) is not known for developing talent so I would not be surprised if we see him in a trade to an organization with more resources within the next year or so.
Matyev is a project who will take time but if the right attention and training is given to him, he could potentially be a big, physical, shut down defenseman with offensive tools good enough to make an impact on both sides of the ice.
VIDEOS
Great shut down by Matyev to close out his man on the rush. Some smooth skating combined with a great angle and a physical finish stop play from developing.
Impressive showcase of harassing defense. He uses his feet, stick, and size to stay in front of his man and break up play.
Big step up. Matyev loves to rock opponents and puts his full weight into every check.
A strong step up drops his man at the line and Yaroslav stays focused to win the puck and pass it out of danger despite tight pressure closing in on him.
Heavy wrister from the point directly to the top shelf.
Simon Johansson - European Video Scout
Yaroslav Fedoseyev
Defenseman - Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk
6-foot-1, 181 pounds
A defenseman that has gone quite unnoticed is Yaroslav Fedoseyev and he could really be a gem of a player. He mainly played for his MHL team Belye Medvedi and got to dip his toes with the VHL squad last year. However, this season Yaroslav has gotten off to a fabulous start. By almost being point per game with Belye Medvedi, he has gotten a promotion to the VHL and it’s where he has played most recently.
Fedoseyev is a mean defender, while still being able to play a good two-way game. He also has solid puck moving skills and some offensive qualities from the blueline. However, it’s the physicality and defensive ability that really shines. He makes good reads by stepping up at the blueline and frequently body checks people. Going up against Yaroslav along the boards is tough as he’s constantly shoving you and is disruptive in his pressure. His defensive game is outstanding, he displays good hockey IQ by making defensive reads for takeaways, puts himself between the puck and the opponent to gain possession, understands when plays are developing in front of him, and is always one step ahead.
Another quality that is quite encouraging is his compete level. Yaroslav is constantly engaged, competes hard, and I just love his attitude in board battles. Today’s modern defensemen lean more towards being great puck movers and weaker in the physical part. Yaroslav brings ever so rare physical qualities and is a standout in that area.
Whenever an European player can get a spot in a professional league they gain an advantage over North Americans that can only play junior or in some cases the NCAA. And that should be Yaroslav’s focus, play in the pros, get comfortable and display those main qualities that make him a good prospect.
VIDEOS
#89 in the clip
Yaroslav is menacing and punishing along the boards, eventually winning the puck and getting a breakout.
#89 in the clip
Keeps good cap control and then times his check to disable the puck carrier’s attack.
#89 in the clip
He has a disruptive stick behind the net and wins the puck battle.
#89 in the clip
Displays solid vision with this pass, has good poise with the puck on his stick and threads a pass back door to a teammate.
Gleb Pugachyov
Center / Right wing - Chaika Nizhny Novgorod
6-foot-3, 198 pounds
The massive forward out of the MHL, Gleb Pugachyov has really emerged as one of the better draft-eligible prospects in Russia. Several other touted draft eligible prospects play for the same team in Viktor Fyodorov, Vladimir Laptev, Artyom Matyuk and Yan Melnikov, but Pugachyov has really stood out amongst all of those players thanks to his great two-way game.
His maturity off the puck is quite extraordinary. His defensive game is reminiscent of Milton Gästrin last year, making solid defensive plays constantly and showing great defensive instincts. He makes use of his long stick to cover a ton of ice and can create a lot of takeaways. His effort level simply elevates his defensive game too; he has good compete overall and is tenacious on the backcheck. Pugachyov hasn’t gotten a call up yet but I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets one eventually. And thanks to his hockey IQ, I don’t think he will take too long to adjust and be an effective player.
A frustrating thing with big, tall players is that some don’t use their physical tools to become an effective player. This is not the case with Pugachyov. Although not consistent yet, he can be a freight train when defending the rush. He’ll chase down the puck carrier, limit the space for the opponent, and eventually crush them along the boards.
With Pugachyov’s size and great defensive habits, there’s a lot of temptation to take him high in the upcoming draft. If he can become more dangerous offensively and consistent with his physical game, you potentially have a rare powerforward on your hands.
VIDEOS
#93 in the clip
Here he keeps the puck carrier in range at all times and makes a great defensive play by laying him out along the boards.
#93 in the clip
Displays great hustle on the back check and constantly checks with his stick to prevent the opponent’s rush.
#93 in the clip
Such a smart play here, he deliberately pressures the puck carrier to the half-wall to then intercept the pass that would’ve gone to the defender. He then quickly transitions the play up ice and creates a scoring chance on the rush, albeit a pretty bad pass but it’s the thought that counts.
#93 in the clip
Gleb always shows good compete on the back check and here he chases down the puck carrier, ending the play by making a huge hit along the boards.