Scouting Report: Andrei Nikitin, 16-year-old Left Winger

Height: 6’3”
Weight: 220 lbs

Nikitin is an interesting prospect to me. I watched him often in Kazan, and his success at higher levels of hockey baffles me. He’s all stick, mostly defense, partly speed, and nothing else. His puck handling skills are supernatural, he can deke his way through anybody. On defense, he’s almost perfect, hitting like a train, able to lock down anyone in the corners and on the boards, Unreal hockey mind and positioning, a thief with his stick, able to block nearly any shot in his way. He’s got balance and speed to beat anybody, and strength to go through what he can’t go around. He’s a sight to watch when all goes his way.

But, the kid is raw just about anywhere else. He’s a coach’s nightmare, a special player suited to only rare cases where you need an up-and-down winger to essentially punt the puck with a player’s stick and body. He’s got nearly no instincts in the offensive zone, with an abysmal shot and the utter inept passing ability. He can’t step in to help on a faceoff, and he can’t get open. He’s also got a sluggish warmup to his speed, and his agility makes him look like he’s skating through five inches of snow. He’s a raw player, and he needs SERIOUS work to become effective in other places. He’s a project, certainly, but he’s defied my expectations and made it this far on just what he has naturally, who knows, maybe he can manage.

Eddie Morozov signing off for now. Stay tuned for more info and more reports from my trips abroad scouting the next SHL stars!

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