PLYMOUTH, MI - DECEMBER 12: Daniil Chayka #5 of the U17 Russian Nationals takes a slap shot against the Slovakia Nationals during day-2 of game one of the 2018 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament at USA Hockey Arena on December 12, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. Russia defeated Slovakia 6-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
While the “Russian Factor” might be a problem for other general managers, Steve Yzerman has a history of ignoring said “issue” in the draft. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top three Russians in this year’s draft.
Daniil Chayka – LD
Chayka’s stock has fallen a bit since the beginning of the draft process, but his size (6-foot-3) and mobility are enough to attract attention in the first round.
When the OHL’s season seemed uncertain, Chayka decided to head back home to play in the Russian leagues. He spent the year hopping between the KHL, VHL and MHL (Essentially the Russian version of playing in the NHL, AHL and juniors), spending most of his time in the pros. In the KHL, Chayka scored a goal and an assist in 11 games with CSKA Moskva. With Zvezda Moskva in the VHL, he only recorded an assist in 13 games (Playoffs included). In the MHL (Juniors), he scored a goal and four assists in 11 games. Chayka also had a chance to further his draft stock in the World Championships, where he played with Russia’s U-20 (0 points in six) and adult (A goal and two assists in three) teams.
I don’t want to get Red Wings fans too ramped up with this comparison, but Chayka is somewhat similar to Moritz Seider in his draft year. Chayka is a large, rangy defenseman that has an underutilized offensive toolkit. The biggest difference is physicality; in his draft year, Seider was already crushing opponents with his hits. Chayka has yet to push his 6-foot-3 frame to its full potential.
Essentially, Chayka is an incomplete prospect. The team that drafts him must do so with the understanding that he’s at least two years away from the NHL. He has all sorts of raw skills, but there really hasn’t been a stretch of play where he consistently utilizes them. Chayka has a nasty set of shots, ranging from a rocket of a slapshot to a robust wrister. While he’s not exactly speedy, he has good edgework and overall skating, especially considering his size. Despite all these tools, he has yet to produce consistent points. Defensively, Chayka needs to step up his physicality, but the rest of his skillset is quite good. He has the fundamentals down and he doesn’t slack on zone or man coverage. He’s a hard worker that almost never gives an easy opening into the offensive zone.
To play in a league like the KHL at such a young age is quite impressive, even if there aren’t many points to show for it. Chayka’s a project, but Detroit can afford that right now. The organization can let him overripen overseas, letting him put together his offensive game and become more comfortable with his frame. Chayka is a name to watch with Detroit’s second pick.
Nikita Chibrikov – W
Russia’s Nikita Chibrikov (L) and Czech Republic’s Petr Kodytek during Euro Hockey Tour between Russia and Czech Republic on February 14, 2021, at Malmoe Arena in Sweden. (Photo by Andreas HILLERGREN / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by ANDREAS HILLERGREN/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images) /
Chibrikov is another Russian that spent 2020-21 at home. He played in three Russian leagues this season, all within the SKA St. Petersburg organization. In the KHL, he notched a goal and an assist in 16 games. In 20 VHL games, Chibrikov netted three goals and tacked on five assists in 20 games. Lastly, in the MHL, he scored nine points (3 goals and 6 assists) in 11 games. Chibrikov also acted as the captain for Team Russia in the U-18 World Championship, where he scored four goals and nine assists in just seven games.
Chibrikov’s impressive performance at the worlds garnered attention around the league. With his toolkit, Chibrikov has one of the best offensive upsides in the draft. He has almost everything you can ask for from a forward: top-end speed and skating, great vision/hockey IQ and shifty puck/stick maneuvering. Chibrikov has the ability to outsmart a defender with a wide range of moves, whether it be slinging an accurate pass to an advancing teammate, cycling the puck into the offensive zone to create a new series or slipping past with speed and shifty puck handling. The biggest downside to Chibrikov is his defense: it’s downright bad. He looks aloof on assignments, sometimes “disappearing” in the defensive zone.
Like Chayka, Chibrikov is not ready for the NHL. He struggled to translate his offensive skills to the KHL, but it’ll come with time. The organization that drafts him should let him stay in Russia and perfect his offense and develop a defensive game. NHL teams cannot afford a defensive liability on the ice, and currently, that’s exactly what Chibrikov is. He doesn’t really fit the bill as a typical Yzerman prospect, but his offensive toolkit might be too good to ignore.
Fyodor Svechkov – C/LW
Svechkov is an obvious choice for Detroit if he is available at the 23rd pick. I’ve already done a prospects analysis of Svechkov, so I’ll keep the explanation short and sweet: he’s a two-way player, a potential center and a high-compete player. Historically, he’s the type of prospect that Yzerman covets and he’d be a perfect fit in Detroit’s current offensive scheming under Jeff Blashill.
Svechkov’s floor is pretty low, as most of his skills (High hockey IQ, good offensive instincts and shutdown defense) project very well in the NHL. While he might not have the high ceiling of an Aatu Raty or Fabian Lysell type prospect, Svechkov is an organizational fit for Detroit and has the potential to fill the need of centers down the pipeline.
