Wheeler on Grits:
6. Arseni Gritsyuk, LW, 21 (Avangard Omsk)
Gritsyuk’s development has become somewhat of a marvel, transforming his projection in the four seasons since the Devils selected him in the fifth round. That has continued this year, as the KHL’s second-leading under-22 forward and Omsk’s fourth-leading scorer.
He’s comfortable in puck possession as a handler against top defenders and his skill level distinguishes his game. His shot is dangerous and he has added a hard one-timer to his toolbox. He has also grown an inch (now 5-foot-11) and added 20-plus pounds (now 192) since the draft, to remove some of the worries about his once small and skinny frame.
He’s fast through a light, agile stride, hanging onto pucks out wide and cutting to the interior on his edges to create chances to the slot to create high-danger looks. The more I watch him, the more confident I am that his success over the last couple of years is not a fluke. He’s not going to be a star or anything but he looks like a complementary top-nine winger with some power play and offensive zone value.
