So what’s the deal with Chernyshov?
He is Russian(may take longer time before joining NHL, political side) and he is right winger. I think he has... some potential of center but its not as close as Nygard. With Bratt and Meier on the long term deal, Mercer, Holtz(even if we will trade him) and Lenny I don't see Fitz drafting right winger. I have hard believing he will draft Nygard for the same reasons. Thats why I think Helenius will be our pick. Or LD if someone still available. If Helenius isn't available I prey Gods to turn Fitz face on our board and figure Nygard center potential if he and his scouts didn't do that already.
Chernyshov is very fun no matter how we are looking at him.
Big? Check. Bigger than Catton, Helenius, Iginla and Nygard.
Physical?? Check. Already good in puck battles in KHL. Physical in all three zones. He is on the level or better than any of this forwards.
Good skater? Check. Better than Iginla, as good as Helenius and Nygard.
Fast skater? Check. Best separation speed.
Good passing? Check. He is very accurate and fast in passing. More accurate than Helenius.
Playmaking? Playable. He isn't the best or average as high iq playmaker, but again - he is a part of fast and accurate draws in mhl, doing everything right for winger. He is just not the player who will take spot with the puck on the perimeter and will lead the draw.
Shooting? Check. He is good shooter. All of them are good shooters. May be Nygard is better. May be Iginla.
Compete level? Check. He is playing in all three zones, making beck checks, understand changing of the position, making very good defensive and offensive forechecking job. Nygard is better in O zone, but Chernyshov is better in D zone, Helenius is better, but Chernyshov is better 200 foot player than Catton or Iginla. Better understanding of positional play in all three zones.
Puckhandling? Freaking check. He is best puckhandler through traffic. He is doing things in khl when pros are smoking how they were outplayed and what was that what was happened moment ago.
Defensive play? Check. Again - forecheckung, positioning. With his nice hands he capable to take the puck away. Helenius is better, but he is on the level or better than other players.
I think he limits only by his IQ. He isn't stupid at all, but his decision making isn't consistent - again playing against tough competition. Its very fun to praise Iginla who is playing against kids when Chernyshov should survive in KHL. In MHL Chernyshov did everything good. Again hard to compare from competition level point of view - Helenius playing against pros, still level below KHL, Nygard played in second pro league - below Liiga and KHL, but still much harder competition than OHL or WHL.
What I'm thinking overall? His skating, speed, defensive game, compete level, physicals and puck battling, passing, shooting, great puckhandling and good enough IQ are screaming "top 6 two way scoring forward" with real top line potential. Can he drives play on NHL level? He has all the tools. Can he lead the draw on nhl level? I'm not so sure, reason why I have Catton, Helenius and Nygard higher now. I like Chernyshov more than Catton because of his better two way game and physical level. But its personal preferences, i understand that playmaking centers or top line playmaking wingers who drive the play are more important in nhl. May be he will not produce on the same rate but he should be more consistent 200 foot player. Does he have ppg potential? Its a high mark, Meier isn't consistent ppg player. I like to compare him with Nichushkin. But Chernyshov is better puckhandler and already good in positioning, Nichushkin spent time to learn positional game.
Chernyshov signed for next season, but I believe he will signed 1-3 more years deal.