2027 Draft Candidates
Daniil Yermolov - Center - Krasnaya Armiya Moskva
6’2, 183lbs, Shoots: Left
Yermolov has quickly become my favorite Russian to watch in this class. With Skvortsov, Privalov, and Pustovoy playing very limited minutes in the KHL, having their respective strengths of speed, skill, size, and tenacity mitigated by the professionals they're facing, Yarmolov has been able to take over games in the MHL, showing off his rapid development and skill gap between him and his age group.
Coming into the season, I expected a simple, middle-driven, two-way center who likes to slow the game down and see the ice well. The tape showed a very safe, complementary, projectable player. After a slightly slow start in terms of his pace, motor, and offensive flair, it looked like that might be all he is. He kicked it into gear about 2 weeks into the season as his confidence skyrocketed. Yermolov has become the play driver for the Red Army, being the main puck carrier in transition and in the offensive zone whenever he's on ice. The game runs through his stick, and his tools make him tough to stop.
When Yermolov is carrying the puck through the neutral zone, defenders look helpless. His strong puck skills, paired with his length, allow him to bend around opponents fairly consistently. He circles back into the defensive end to build speed with crossovers before attacking downhill, going wide, and driving directly to the crease for a chance. He sticks with loose pucks, which helps him in board battles; he can reach around players to win possession and escape danger. He laps around the offensive zone, going through or around any defender he wants, making simple, smart passes to keep the cycle going before he throws a dangerous pass right to the slot.
He isn't without faults, as his defensive game can be really solid, but his effort is inconsistent. His feet will stop moving, and he will float a bit till a puck goes free and he can pounce on it again. And while his hands can be filthy at times, he sometimes struggles to maintain quality control, especially on the rush. Beyond that, it gets nitpicky: overhandling, minor tweaks in his skating, shot selection, but nothing stands out as a real consistent issue.
If Yermolov keeps this pace, I can confidently say he deserves top-10 consideration. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he gets called up to the KHL and looks better than his teammate Privalov. Privalov's foot speed is the root of his struggles, and Yermolov is the better skater and a more confident puck carrier. I truly think the sky's the limit for this kid; he just needs to stay consistent.
The Clips
Yermolov (#96 red) flashing his hands and taking over shifts when he's on the ice. The whole play moves through him
Yermolov (#96 red) showing the speed and power to get to the net.
(#96 white) Going right through the defender on the rush and sending a beautiful backhand pass to the slot.
Yevgeni Yakunin - Center - MHK Spartak Moskva
6’3, 194lbs, Shoots: Left
Yakunin is coming off a fantastic rookie season in the MHL, where he was named a rookie-of-the-year finalist and kept pace with Privalov and Skvortsov's production. His game was less flashy than his ’09 counterparts, and he settled into a complementary role on Spartak, the MHL Championship runner-up. His game centered on off-puck smarts, vision, and quick passes to exploit defenses. He never showed the speed, skill, or power Skvortsov or Privalov did in flashes, but his play was consistent: simple, smart, effective hockey.
After a blistering start to this season, with eight points and four goals in his first five MHL games, he quickly earned a call-up to the KHL squad. He has since bounced around four different teams in the Spartak system, but hasn't looked out of place at the pro level, using his smarts and 200-ft effort to make an impact in limited minutes. In the MHL, his effort is inconsistent from game to game, but when he goes full tilt, the game comes easy.
With a frame like his, you'd expect a physical power center, but I see Yakunin as more of a finesse player with excellent vision, especially in the neutral zone, who facilitates play effectively. He shows flashes of strength, but far too often he shies away from contact, and doesn't seem to drive the net at will like other similar-sized Russian forwards in this class. But quite frankly, he doesn't need to. It would be nice to see that develop, but Yakunin finds plenty of success with his brain and vision, hitting cross-ice passes and having a sixth sense for where his teammates are, or where to be on the ice to make an impact. That's why, without the same elite flashy skills as others, he is just as dominant at the MHL level, and perhaps why he can still look like his effective self in the pros.
The upside might not be the sell when considering Yakunin for the draft, but there seems to be a pretty safe middle-6 center floor. The type of player that you want on your team in the playoffs. Big, smart, rangy, and no slouch with the puck on his stick, he can add depth scoring down the lineup. The season is still young, and as he spends more time in the VHL or KHL, he could grow physically, become more consistent, and perhaps develop a more dynamic offense. Definitely one to keep an eye on as the year goes on.
THE CLIPS
Yakunin (#10 red) shows his range here: he picks up a rebound in his own end, sends the puck up the boards, joins the rush, gets in deep, and sends 2 dangerous passes to the slot.
Here, he (#11 yellow) makes a nice cross-ice pass in the neutral zone, supports his teammate in the corner, protects the puck, and keeps the cycle going. Impressive shift at the pro level.
Yakunin (#10 red) gets sprung on a breakaway; he shows great hand-eye coordination and goes bar down with the shot.
Anderi Pustovoy - Wing - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
6’3, 201lbs, Shoots: Left
Pustovoy was an early favorite for me coming into this draft year, as he was one of the best players in the MHL last season, leading a loaded Loko Yaroslavl team to an MHL Championship. He made an impact every night with his pace and physical dominance, putting up 62 points in 52 games. He was clearly a step above the competition and ready to take the next step in his career. He started the season in the MHL, but that lasted 1 game before he found a role in the KHL.
With extremely limited minutes and playing as the 13th forward most nights, Pustovoy has few opportunities to show any offensive upside that may have grown since last season. He has a cannon of a shot, underrated hands, and, while his vision isn't elite, he can make dangerous passes from time to time. His game has been forced to stay simple. But the good news is that Pustovoy has the tools to thrive in this role, and as he gets more comfortable in the pros, his confidence is starting to shine through.
The speed and pace of his play made the transition to the KHL almost seamless for Pustovoy, and with his size and physicality, he quickly learned how to play his game at the pro level. Every shift he skates hard to the corners, runs down loose pucks, and is a pest all over the ice. It's rare to find an instance where his feet stop moving, or he's lazy on a backcheck, or avoids the dirty areas of the ice. He's a bull, with some really impressive battle to his game.
The one question people may have is the true offensive ceiling. But I don't see, with his tools and play style, how he couldn't be an incredible complementary piece to have in your top 6 one day. We may only be scratching the surface of what Pustovoy can be. Few players in this class can match what he offers pound for pound. The frame, physicality, skating ability, release, motor, and intelligence. He's a complete player and one who should project as a top talent in this class.
The Clips
Pustovoy (#41 red) throws a hit, makes a defensive stop, and shows off his speed in transition in the KHL.
(#41 white) A tenacious, smart player who reads opponents and turns defense into offense.
Pustovoy (#41 white) gets in on the forecheck, wins a puck battle with strength, body positioning, edges, and hands, and gets an assist on the low-to-high pass.
Sleepers
Artyom Frolov - Wing - Loko Yaroslavl
6’2, 183lbs, Shoots: Left
Frolov first caught my eye last season while tracking a teammate of his on Loko-76, the silver-division MHL affiliate of the Lokomotive Yaroslavl system. He kept catching my eye with his energy, pace, and involvement in transition. So often was he the driver of play, and the more I watched him, the more excited I became about his potential.
He started this season back in the silver division, where he proved to those who watched him that his physical game is far more mature than his peers at this level. Even his offensive talent, which isn't a standout trait, seemed more advanced, as he usually carries the puck on entries and serves as the backbone of his team's offense when he's on the ice. Despite his involvement and physical dominance, he hasn't gotten the ice time you'd expect, and after a short 4-game stint with the gold division team, where he scored 2 goals, he's back with Loko-76.
Watching him play for Loko-76 is both fun and frustrating. His confidence with the puck is inspiring; while he may not have the skill to pull off high-end plays, his speed and power are enough to get clean entries and work the cycle. The dirty areas are his bread and butter; the body positioning, physical strength, ability to leverage his body, and overall awareness in these puck battles leave him with possession most of the time. It's an NHL ability. He also lays massive hits. What's frustrating is that the talent surrounding him on the Loko-76 team is significantly lacking. He would be a fantastic complementary winger, doing the dirty work for more skilled linemates, while still having the talent to make plays himself.
Frolov has so much room to grow this season. I wouldn't be surprised if his production picks up as we get deeper into the season, as his skill game develops and he maintains his intense work rate. A call-up to the Loko Yarlsavl squad would be huge for him. In fact, I think he could be a great candidate for some VHL action, getting him accustomed to the physicality of the men's game and molding him into an electric bottom-six piece one day.
The Clips
Frolov (#87 white) on the forecheck, picking up an assist. Followed by the biggest hit of the season.
(#87 red) Another forecheck where he has excellent body positioning and finds the pass when he gets possession, and goes right to the net.
A clear penalty from Frolov (#87 red) here. The guy is fast and mean. Pugachyov style play here.
A Top Re-Entry Candidate
Mikhail Melikov - Wing - Dynamo Moskva
5’10, 163lbs, Shoots: Right
Being undersized as an NHL draft prospect is incredibly difficult to overcome, and no one illustrates it better than the MHL's leading scorer and MVP finalist, who was passed over for a second time. He could not have had a better season, leading the MHL in +/- and points, showing that his skill game has developed, a knock in his draft year. But speed, effort, and IQ remain the core of his success, as he was far too pacey for his MHL competition.
His dominant MHL play earned him a spot in the KHL this season, and he came out of the gates like a bat out of hell, determined to prove he belongs. It’s rare to find a 5’10, sub-170 lbs, 19-year-old who wins battles against professionals. Melikov does it every shift. His motor is otherworldly; combined with his intelligence and speed, he is a problem on the forecheck, doing everything he can to disrupt play, attack loose pucks, and force turnovers. More often than not, he succeeds, which has increased his role despite the lack of production.
Three points in 17 games might seem underwhelming, but his offensive game is starting to show. He plays the right way. His off-puck movement is impressive: he attacks lanes, drives to the front of the crease, and uses his speed in transition. Despite the frame, he loves to plant himself at the net front and hunt loose pucks sent to the corners. We've seen his playmaking in the MHL, and I wouldn't be surprised if he finds some luck as we get deeper into the season.
If his ice time keeps growing and the production comes, I don't see how teams can let him slip through the cracks again. A legit option for a future bottom-six role with a chance for some offensive upside, similar to a Denver Barkey type where he wins minutes with pace, effort, and IQ. Melikov is a player that I would easily take a swing on in the back half of the draft.
THE CLIPS
Melikov's (#27, Blue) game is all about speed and effort. He wins the puck race/battle and hits his man in front for the assist.
Don't be fooled by his size. Melikov can lay the boom.
Speed, skill, pace, tenacity. The willingness to go to the front of the net. He's not your average 5’10 forward.
NHL Affiliated Prospect On the Rise
Nikita Shcherbakov - Defensman - Salavat Ufa (New Jersey Devils)
6’5, 187lbs, Shoots: Left
This may be a surprising name on this list, as we at McKeens, myself in particular, weren't big fans of Shcherbakov's game last season. His time in the pros made it clear the pace and physicality were too much for him, having games riddled with positional mistakes, defensive lapses, and an inability to support his partner on breakouts when he didn't have the puck. Not to mention the complete lack of offense.
The second half of his season told a different story. After being sent down to the MHL, he found confidence in his mobility and puck skills and became dangerous on breakouts and in transition. He used his size defensively, shutting down his half of the ice with his reach, and even leaned into his physical side a bit. This growth was encouraging, as the toolsy, long defenseman looked better against his peers. But I couldn't shake the feeling that he might not be able to process the game at higher speeds, and I wanted to see more at higher levels.
His confidence carried into this season, as Shcherbakov has looked much more comfortable under pressure, using his frame and mobility to evade forecheckers and even push the pace by carrying the puck up ice to facilitate breakouts and rushes. His offensive instincts have blossomed as he's no longer afraid to step up deep into the offensive end, create from the half wall, or set up for what seems to be a much-improved slap shot.
What really gives me hope for Shcherbakov, despite his limited, sheltered minutes, is his success on the defensive end. His skating is sharper this season; he got stronger over the summer, and his defensive lapses are less frequent. He's winning his minutes rather than floundering and trying to survive. Even if the points don't keep falling his way, the rest of his game projects well for a future in a bottom-pair role, and perhaps even a top four role if his offensive confidence holds.
THE CLIPS
Shcherbakov (#89, white) shows improved offensive confidence, driving to the net and scoring.
Finally leaning into his frame, Shcherbakov (#89, green) throws his body and starts the breakout.
Defense turns to offense as Shcherbakov (#89, green) defends the rush, recovers the puck behind the net, breaks it out, and facilitates the cycle from the point.