Player Profile

D.O.B – April 14, 2004
Nationality – Czechia
Draft Eligibility – 2022
Height – 5-foot-11
Weight – 179 lbs
Position – Left Wing
Handedness – Left

Production

Rankings

• Ranked #26 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
• Ranked #29 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #22 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #40 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
• Ranked #15 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #14 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
• Ranked #13 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
• Ranked #30 by SPORTSNET
• Ranked #15 by ISS HOCKEY
• Ranked #25 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #41 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #37 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #15 by SMAHT SCOUTING
• Ranked #62 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY

Corey Pronman’s Analysis

Kulich is a well-rounded prospect. He has a fluid, powerful skating stride that can generate clean entries and beat defenders wide. He has slick 1v1 skills and combined with his speed is a threat off the rush. He can make plays but is more of a threat when he’s in motion than picking apart defenses as a playmaker. Kulich has a great shot, showing a one-timer and wrist shot threat from range. Kulich doesn’t show fear from attacking the net or taking a hit to make a play. He projects as a top-nine forward, whether at wing or center with the potential to play higher in a lineup.

Scott Wheeler’s Analysis

Kulich’s MVP performance at U18 worlds answered (emphatically) questions about whether he was a first- or second-rounder, impressing scouts with his like-clockwork one-timer on the power play. Kulich is a sturdy, driven player who can morph his game to his role and function as the detail-oriented, above-puck defender who makes quick plays and stays on pucks, can play off of talented linemates to free his dangerous shooting arsenal up, or can carry the puck and function as the primary handler on a line. I like his positioning off the puck. I like his the balance and control of his skating stride. I like how quickly and hard shots come off of his stick (not just with his one-timer but through a deceptive early release point). He’s got quick hands and flashes skill one-on-one. He’s got good feel around the net. He plays hard. He can play all three forward positions. There’s a lot to like about his makeup.

The Hockey Writer’s Analysis

There’s no doubt that Kulich’s stock rose after the U18s. When you score nine goals in six games, you get noticed, even when seven of those are on the power play. In the game against Team Canada, a squad full of future first-round picks in 2022 and a couple of 2023 elite talents in Bedard and Adam Fantilli, he stood out as one of the best players on the ice. In a high-scoring affair that saw both teams score a combined 11 goals, he recorded a hat trick and four points overall, including the game-winner in overtime on, you guessed it, the power play. All three of his goals were scored in different ways as the first was a wrist shot, the second a one-timer and the third a snapshot off a missed shot by Tomas Hamara. He also showed great anticipation on Czechia’s fifth goal as he intercepted a pass by David Goyette and fed Eduard Sale to tie the game 5-5.

Last Word on Hockey’s Analysis

Given that his defensive game and skating are at a high level, he is a relatively safe pick as he should be able to play a bottom-six role even if his offence doesn’t fully translate at the NHL level. While his offensive game on the power play and working in the offensive zone are good, the struggles in transition give rise to questions if he can play in the top six going forward. Some development of his puckhandling skills as well as adding muscle to his frame will help him take his game to the next level. Expect him to spend another year or two in Europe before looking to transition to smaller North American ice. Kulich’s game is reminiscent of Bo Horvat. However, this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.

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Round 2, 51st overall: Vladimir Grudinin, LHD

Vladimir Grudinin is an undersized left-shot defenseman from Angarsk, Russia, located approximately seven hours north of the Mongolian border. Prior to the pandemic, he served as the alternate captain for both the CSKA Moskva U17 and U18 teams during the 2019-20 season. In 28 games, he scored two goals and 12 assists for 14 points.

The following year, Grudinin played just five games for the U18 club. He spent most of the season with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva of the MHL, Russia’s junior hockey league. At the U18 World Championships, he scored five points (1-4=5) in a seven-game sample size, helping Team Russia win the silver medal.

This past season, Grudinin split time between three levels of Russian hockey leagues. After 18 games in the MHL, he was elevated to Zvezda Moskva of the VHL, the second-highest men’s league, tallying a goal and two assists in 12 games.

Player Profile

D.O.B – December 9, 2003
Nationality – Russia
Draft Eligibility – 2022
Height – 5-foot-10
Weight – 159 lbs
Position – Defenseman
Handedness – Left

Production

Rankings

• Ranked #31 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
• Ranked #46 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #32 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
• Ranked #53 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
• Ranked #30 by ISS HOCKEY
• Ranked #52 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
• Ranked #51 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
• Ranked #66 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
• Ranked #22 by SMAHT SCOUTING

Corey Pronman’s Analysis

Grudinin is a talented offensive defenseman. He has strong poise and skill with the puck, showing he can run a power play and create off the offensive blue line. He’s a decent skater. Grudinin shows enough speed to get past guys or away from pressure but it’s not amazing for a small guy. His edgework is excellent, although he relies on his 10-2 skating style too much. I have a hard time seeing him at his size and without great feet being a strong defender versus better players so it’s why he’s a “has a chance guy,” now for me.

Scott Wheeler’s Analysis

Grudinin, a favourite of the Russian national team, was part of a KHL championship this season (even though he hardly touched the ice for CSKA in it) and has long been a top player in his age group. He’s a tactile and poised operator who manages the play in front of him from the back end beautifully and defends through his adjustable east-west skating mechanics. He’s comfortable in possession and picks apart coverage as a passer and while I wouldn’t call him dynamic for his size on the puck, he plays a modern game at a high enough level to potentially envision a career as a contributing five-on-five defender who can chip in special teams. There are shades of Kings prospect Brock Faber in his ability to defend with his feet and advance play in the right direction.

Smaht Scouting’s Analysis

“Grudinin is a reliable two-way defender who will need to continue to build up upper body muscle to contend against tougher opponents in the VHL and KHL. He will also need to work on being more assertive and quicker to pucks, but he has shown at the KHL level that he can be a pain to get around. Grudinin will also need to work on developing a stronger inside game, but that might only come when he comes to North America. Even though there are areas which need continued development, I think there is a really good defensive prospect here in Grudinin. There is a smart (sorry… “Smaht”) defenseman in Grudinin who can use excellent skating and mobility to get open ice to facilitate puck movement and key up scoring chances. If things go right with his development, he should be a solid second pairing defenseman at the NHL level.”

Last Word on Hockey’s Analysis

Grudinin is the classic boom or bust prospect. At just 158 pounds, he is extremely undersized. There are questions if he will maintain his dynamic skating as he adds more muscle. Even then, he will always be undersized. There continue to be questions if his game will translate to the NHL. If he is able to transition effectively to the North American pro game, Grudinin would be a steal. His ability to create offence on the power play as well as at even strength is outstanding for his age. Grudinin is a bit of a long-term project as he is signed to play in Russia through the 2023-24 season. His game is reminiscent of Tyson Barrie. This is a stylistic comparison only though, and not one based on skill and ability.

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Round 3, 85th overall: Ruslan Gazizov, RW

Ruslan Gazizov played his youth hockey for Avangard Omsk, splitting time between the U16 and U17 clubs during the 2019-20 season, tallying 23 goals and 32 assists for 55 points in just 26 games.

In the shortened 2020-21 season, Gazizov scored a combined seven goals and 15 points in 19 games.

After being taken in the 12th round of the CHL import draft, Gazizov joined the London Knights of the OHL. In 54 games, he scored 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points. He led all Knights’ rookie skaters with seven assists on the power-play.

Here’s his shot chart from last season:

Player Profile

D.O.B – January 21, 2004
Nationality – Russia
Draft Eligibility – 2022
Height – 5-foot-11
Weight – 187 lbs
Position – Right Wing
Handedness – Left

Production

Rankings

• Ranked #86 by FCHOCKEY
• Ranked #61 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
• Ranked #149 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
• Ranked #74 by THE PUCK AUTHORITY

Corey Pronman’s Analysis

Gazizov is a very skilled playmaking winger. He is a pass-first type player who can run a power play off the half-wall. He connects on seam passes at a high rate. Gazizov also displays good hands and ability to create in small areas. He competes well enough, he’s not overly physical but plays without fear. Gazizov isn’t the biggest or fastest forward though and without elite offense it’s tough to project him onto an NHL lineup.

OHL Writers’ Analysis

“While the offensive skills are there and he has shown the ability to be a creative playmaker, Gazizov projects to be a complimentary piece on a line rather than the driver on it. He could be a top six forward at the NHL level, but he’s going to have to put in some work in areas other than offence.”

Dobber Prospects’ Analysis

Gazizov’s rookie OHL season went passably well, with 28 points in 54 games for the London Knights, but his below-par production hides a dynamic offensive player who can do some impressive things with the puck. Both his shot and his playmaking are refined, and the prospect can stickhandle very well. His high-paced game also helps him execute offensively and gives him the edge on defenders when entering the offensive zone.

On the defensive side is where the most issues arise for Gazizov; he struggles with picking up second-wave threats on the rush, and tends to stop moving his feet when he gets into his own zone. He doesn’t have the most massive reach, either, which hinders his ability to contribute to takeaways and possession time for his team. His skating needs some work as well in terms of power; his posture and technique are above-average, which helps make him elusive and dynamic, but he lacks lower-body strength and can lag behind on occasions as a result. He could become a Max Domi type with enough time, and will likely see more success on the wing than down the middle. A good longshot to take a flyer on in the third round. 

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(All videos courtesy of InStat)