Same. I had Gritsyuk third, Holtz fourth. Holtz has some elite skills but it's still open whether he can skate and play well enough away from the puck to allow it all to come together at the NHL level. Gritsyuk, admitted, I have only seen in clips and on video, but looks like he has a very high floor package in all skills and some truly elite skills that I can't wait to see on this side of the pond.
As I remember I had him number 4 year ago. Okhotiuk was my number three. I have him at number 5 this year.
Yeah, Grits is good. If he did something really more than he did, he should be our number one prospect easily. Still has some space to be better, to work on. He isn't Kaprisov level guy, he isn't as good manipulator, he isn't on kaprisovs level in reaction on the puck. I don't know can he develop it, im not waiting for it, but not every late rounder Russian should be 90+ points player guy. I think part of his game works because he is fast and use the size of the rinks, I think part of his game should be adapted on the smaller ice. He absolutely can do it because tools is there. He isn't great playmaker/puckmover. I would say he is good scoring type play driver. But his 200 foot game is on the good level for his "type" of player, he should add more muscles, I think he is working on it, because he literally did tell about it. I belive next season he will play more against better defensemen and I think he would be challenged more. If he will even stay on the same level of production, I would be happy enough. If he will produce more, it will going hotter. I would be happy to see more balanced game from him, better positional game against the draw. If he can grow on himself in playmaking, it would be great. I try to compare him with Yegor in specific way - Yegor is a very good shooter, and let's try to imagine he will develop his interior game, will be better on the boards. Its a great player potentially, but his playmaking game still limit him, even with much better positional game and with better puck battling, Sharangovich will not hit some crazy numbers. Its ok. I would say he is very good complimentary player, but still. I think Gritsyuk is muuuuch better play driver, may be not as great as a shooter, but he is very good. And I would say his pkaymaking is better, but he isn't on the Jack, Bratt or Nico level.
Will see.
