We’re at the point on our draft board where things really open up, as all 11 of the guys we had on yesterday’s ballot picked up at least one vote. The big winner, though, was winger Evgeni Svechnikov, who just outpaced Swedish defenseman Oliver Kylington by picking up 32 percent of the vote to Kylington’s 26 percent.
Based on the consensus out there now, this is just about the right place for Svechnikov to show up on the board — the majority of ranking services have him somewhere in the 16 to 18 range, so 15 is a fair spot to have him. That said, there is an argument for him to even be a few spots higher than this based on what he brings to the table.
After two years in the MHL, the minor/feeder league for the KHL in Russia, Svechnikov came across the ocean this year to play in North America. And it’s tough not to have seen his first season as a major success, as he put up 32 goals and 78 total points in 55 games with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles — second in per-game scoring among all draft-eligible QMJHL forwards, behind only recently-profiled Timo Meier of Halifax.
Svechnikov is a 6’3″, 205-pound forward with skill, and it’s hard to find guys like that. He spent time this year at both the wing and center for Cape Breton. His hands, shot, vision, and overall puck skills are quite impressive, and the way he can stickhandle for a guy his size is pretty exciting and fun to watch. And he’s a decent skater — not a burner, but one who, at least, can move around fairly well for a player with his size.
Most suggest that his defense needs some work, but that can be developed a bit, and it’s important to remember that with an October 1996 birthday he’s a little ahead of most of the class’ prospects in terms of his development. And there’s always The Russian Factor, which can magically cause talented young Russian players to fall on draft day.
Still, there’s a lot to be excited about in Svechnikov. He’s a home-run swing, but if he’s putting up the numbers he is just one year into his time in North America, the ceiling on him has to be considered pretty high.
Today is our final day of community board voting, so we’ll toss a few more names on here for you all to consider. Chances are, we’ll just take the top few vote-getters today and tack them all onto the end of the board tomorrow. Enjoy.
Ilya Samsonov, G, Magnitogorsk (MHL) – .918 SV%, 2.66 GAA in 18 GP
Samsonov has the size that is desired in most NHL goalies. He knows how to use his size to his advantage and knows where to be. Samsonov is a very composed goalie and his teams often feed off this to become better themselves. He is confident, something that is useful for a goalie. … Samsonov never gives up on a play, persistently keeping himself in position and not allowing himself to move out of position or be caught unawares. Scouting reports are very complimentary about his ability to track the puck through traffic; one of the many raw skills that a goalie needs to succeed. … He’s also the right type of aggressive for a goaltender. He will challenge the shooter and try and put him off the shot but he doesn’t make overly aggressive moves which leaves the net wide open. He knows when to make the challenge and when its best to stay in the net and protect the angles.
Anthony Beauvillier, LW/C, Shawnigan (QMJHL) – 42 G, 52 A in 67 GP
A dynamic scoring center with good hockey sense. Not very large in stature, but makes up for it in speed, skill, and cunning. A talented puck-handler with good hands: is equally efficient a passer as he is a goal scorer. All-in-all, an offensively minded center that can outplay the opposition in a number of different ways. Needs to work on discipline and getting stronger.
Paul Bittner, LW, Portland (WHL) – 34 G, 37 A in 66 GP
He already has the frame to play in the NHL, and many scouts believe he will only get bigger. Some scouts say he needs to work on using his body more, as he isn’t necessarily the physical player some would like for a player of his size. … Bittner has gotten the opportunity to play with some talented NHL prospects, including Oliver Bjorkstrand, Nic Petan and Brendan Liepsic. This season he only trailed the first two in points on the team. There are some questions on whether or not his numbers are a bit inflated due to playing with two top-rated prospects. He does have the tools that make him a first-round pick, including his strength,ability to hold on to the puck and powerful shot.
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The 2015 BSH Community NHL Draft Board
- Connor McDavid, C, Erie (OHL)
- Jack Eichel, C, Boston University (NCAA)
- Dylan Strome, C, Erie (OHL) (45% of the vote)
- Mitch Marner, C/RW, London (OHL) (54%)
- Noah Hanifin, D, Boston College (NCAA) (77%)
- Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon (WHL) (45%)
- Mathew Barzal, C, Seattle (WHL) (39%)
- Mikko Rantanen, RW, TPS (Liiga) (41%)
- Zach Werenski, D, Michigan (NCAA) (35%)
- Lawson Crouse, LW, Kingston (OHL) (31%)
- Kyle Connor, C/LW, Youngstown (USHL) (37%)
- Pavel Zacha, C/LW, Sarnia (OHL) (52%)
- Timo Meier, RW, Halifax (QMJHL) (50%)
- Travis Konecny, C, Ottawa (OHL) (54%)
- Evgeny Svechnikov, LW/C, Cape Breton (QMJHL) (32%)
- ???
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As always, please use your vote below to answer the following question: If all of the players listed were available when the Flyers were on the clock, who would you want them to pick?
Who should be No. 16 on the Community Big Board?
| Anthony Beauvillier | 5 |
| Paul Bittner | 1 |
| Brock Boeser | 2 |
| Jeremy Bracco | 0 |
| Thomas Chabot | 3 |
| Jake DeBrusk | 2 |
| Oliver Kylington | 23 |
| Nick Merkley | 7 |
| Jeremy Roy | 10 |
| Ilya Samsonov | 1 |
| Daniel Sprong | 5 |
| Colin White | 7 |
| Jakub Zboril | 5 |
