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crutch · 03-21-2021, 09:01 PM

Mikhail Novikov Scouting Report
Created by SMJHL Scouting Staff

Russia has been known to churn out a great amount of SMJHL & SHL players. Looking to add to the list of great players to join these two leagues is Mikhail Novikov. Hailing from Moscow, Russia, the young center is looking to join the SMJHL this season.

“It has always been a great dream of mine to join the SHL. From growing up from a young boy here in Russia, the SHL has always been my end goal.” He speaks through a thick Russian accent, “I think I have what it takes to be a top player in both leagues.”

Novikov is known for his playmaking style – he won’t be one to score a substantial amount of goals, but he will set up his teammates for the goals.

“I’ve never liked being the center of attention, I would rather see my teammates score goals. Any way I can help my team is good for me.” He smiles, “I’m looking forward to helping my team score great amount of goals this season.”

Mikhail has a medium frame, standing in at six feet even, and weighing about two hundred pounds. He doesn’t use his body much, relying on his stick game to carry him on defense. He definitely can be taught defense, but it will take some time for Novikov to develop fully as a player.

“I think I was born to play in the SHL. I understand I have to play in the SMJHL for a long period of time before I’m ready for the main stage, but I will play hard and continue to develop my game within the SMJHL so I’m ready for the SHL. I have a lot to prove, and I’m looking forward to getting on the ice for any SMJHL team that drafts me next season.”

Novikov’s defensive lapses can be overcome, but Novikov is not only known for his elite playmaking, but the way he thinks the game at a high level, which will easily transfer from Russia to the SMJHL, and eventually the SHL.

“Mikhail has a great grasp on the game. He looks to grow into a game-changing playmaker in the SMJHL, I have high hopes for the kid and I think he’s going to be an asset to whatever SMJHL team ends up drafting him. We have him high on our draft board, but there are a lot of prospects coming into this draft, so we will have to see how everything shakes out as to where Novikov will be taken. Offensively, Novikov is extremely gifted, but defensively he has some lapses. He doesn’t use his big frame as much as he should, but this can be taught through time – a high game IQ can’t be taught, and Mikael has that. He won’t score a ton of goals, but he will be able to set some up. He is especially effective on the power play, where he can really slow down the pace of play and take advantage of opponent’s defensive lapses and feed pucks through high traffic areas to his teammates. ” – An unnamed SMJHL scout.

“I think I can help any team that selects me in the SMJHL Entry Draft, there is a lot I have to prove on the ice and off the ice to show that I can be an elite talent to help carry a team – I want to be on the ice during important moments, I want to be someone my team can rely on and help win games, and eventually Four Star Cups, and Challenge Cups down the line.”

Let’s take a quick look at a scouting report for Mikhail Novikov

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Scouting Report

Mikhail Novikov is a fair sized body, coming in at a solid six feet, weighing in two hundred and one pounds. He isn't known for his goal scoring ability, but rather his ability to find open spaces, and to see the game at an extremely high level. It is hard to say that he holds his own in the defensive zone right now, but that can be taught by his coaches and by learning the game in the SHL. Something that might be a detriment to his skill will be playing on a smaller ice surace - playing in Russia and being used to the bigger ice might stunt his game in the SHL at he will have less time to think out his plays and strategy. He will adjust, but there might be a period in which he struggles.

Strengths

Decision Making: Novikov thinks the game at an extremely high level in the offensive zone. He is a threat in the offensive zone to find his linemates to pot goals. He is very much a finesse player, and is definitely one player you want to have out on a power play to score a goal. Novikov will rarely be the one scoring the goal, but he will absolutely be a key member in helping score it.
Passing: Much like his decision making, Mikhail Novikov's passing is elite. He can thread a pass through players and find creative angles to make plays in order to help his linemates score goals. He is definitely a treat to watch, and is only getting better as he ages. With less space to work in teh SMJHL, he might struggle, but from watching him play in Russia thus far, his passing will carry over.
Puckhandling: Not only is Novikov good at passing, he's good at dangling and getting past his opponents by playing with the puck on his stick. This is something that will really help his game on the North American ice as he will have less room to work in open areas. He can use his tremendous puckhandling to get by opponents and open up more space to make passes adn help his teammates find the back of the net.

Weaknesses

Defense: Mikhail is known for his offensive, not his defensive prowess. You will be better off putting any other player on the roster out on a penalty kill, as Novikov is focussed on offense. This can be taught, however, and hopefully Novikov's coaching staff can teach him how to be effective on both sides of the ice to further his game and make him a more well rounded player.
Positioning: Mikhail is a lot stronger on the puck than he is without it. He is used to having the puck on his stick and being an impact player, in that times that he doesn't have the puck, he is known to kind of be "lost" in the play. Like above -- defensively, he isn't great as he is strictly been focussed offensively. He is passable in the defensive zone, but nothing to write home about, and certainly not elite in the defensive zone.
Aggression: Novikov is strictly a finesse player. You will rarely find him in the corners battling for the puck. From playing on international ice, he is used to having a lot more time to make his plays, and alot more time to retrieve pucks in the corner. HE will likely struggle in the North American game for a period of time until he adjusts.

Potential

Mikhail Novikov is slated in to be a high impact offensive player, definitely a power play specialist when he earns the role with whatever SMJHL team drafts him. He is definitely a top talent, but problems with his agent previously will more than likely drop his ranking in the SMJHL, and potentially the SHL. Time will have to tell on where he gets drafted, and how his play affects his projection in both the SMJHL and SHL drafts.

goilers · 03-21-2021, 09:04 PM

What a stud

Grapehead · 03-21-2021, 09:55 PM

hell ya Crutch!

crutch · 03-21-2021, 09:57 PM

03-21-2021, 09:55 PMGrapehead Wrote: hell ya Crutch!

we out here bruh

Whikadoodle · 03-28-2021, 10:07 AM

03-21-2021, 09:01 PMcrutch Wrote: Weaknesses
Aggression: Novikov is strictly a finesse player. You will rarely find him in the corners battling for the puck. From playing on international ice, he is used to having a lot more time to make his plays, and alot more time to retrieve pucks in the corner. HE will likely struggle in the North American game for a period of time until he adjusts.

SMJHL Coaches to Novikov

Merica · 03-28-2021, 11:29 AM

Let the Cold War begin. @crutch

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