Prospect Info: #52 Dmitri Buchelnikov, 2022 Draft

[19 for president]

80+ point player in his prime. Maybe more. He will be in North America next year, i predict 40-50 points. But it won’t be long before he breaks out big time in the NHL. His skating is elite, his shot is very good, his playmaking is very good, his hockey IQ is elite. The only thing that might hold him back is his size, his weight makes me a bit fearful. Otherwise, the sky is the limit for this kid, and he vastly improves every year. And the funny thing is that NOBODY knows him hahah. Hes gonna shock some people in a few years.

We just need him to develop a Datsyukian sleeper build lol. He did look very small compared to other prospects this past off season. There were pic circulating of him in Detroit over the summer. If he can maintain his skating I think he'll be ok with his IQ, but he'll need to develop some solid lower body strength to go with that ala Dats.

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Is he head and shoulders below Michkov and Demidov?

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

Is he head and shoulders below Michkov and Demidov?

Currently yes, but he develops significantly every year. I still think the sky is the limit for him offensively. He has every tool in his toolset and like I said the only thing holding him back is his weight.

 

[Euro Twins]

Is he head and shoulders below Michkov and Demidov?

He's the same size and weight as both. Points wise very similar to demidov although Buch has more points. Michkov had 41 points in 47 games in the khl last season which is comparable to buch this year.

I think people are going to be taken unawares when they see how good he is as a rookie

 

[Inspiration]

He's the same size and weight as both. Points wise very similar to demidov although Buch has more points. Michkov had 41 points in 47 games in the khl last season which is comparable to buch this year.

I think people are going to be taken unawares when they see how good he is as a rookie

The age difference is should be noted.

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

He's the same size and weight as both. Points wise very similar to demidov although Buch has more points. Michkov had 41 points in 47 games in the khl last season which is comparable to buch this year.

I think people are going to be taken unawares when they see how good he is as a rookie

Demidov is listed at 6’1 and Buch is older than both which is why I give the edge to Demidov and michkov. That doesn’t mean he can’t keep getting better and our produce them in the NHL, but right now Denison and michkov are better.

 

[RedHawkDown]

I think Demidov and Michkov are better right now, but it's also worth noting that Buch is only 1 year older than Michkov and plays for a worse team than Michkov did and Demidov does right now. SKA is a powerhouse especially. Buch is by far the best player on his team, whereas the other two have a far better supporting cast.

His development has been very similar to Panarin and he plays the game very similarly too. I think people are going to be shocked by this kid; I just have a feeling. I can see him putting up 70 points in his rookie season as early as 25-26.

 

[schuelma24]

I think Demidov and Michkov are better right now, but it's also worth noting that Buch is only 1 year older than Michkov and plays for a worse team than Michkov did and Demidov does right now. SKA is a powerhouse especially. Buch is by far the best player on his team, whereas the other two have a far better supporting cast.

His development has been very similar to Panarin and he plays the game very similarly too. I think people are going to be shocked by this kid; I just have a feeling. I can see him putting up 70 points in his rookie season as early as 25-26.

I'm on the same train. Let's be optimistic for once.

 

[JohanFranzenstein]

Thanks for the info. I considered more broadly comparing the last batch of Russian stars, starting with guys like Panarin and Kuch, but figured it'd be easier to compare the most recent high end prospects.

 

[Euro Twins]

The age difference is should be noted.

Sure. But everyone develops at different times. 2 year gap between similar seasons isn't massive. It's just that michkov was further ahead in his development. 19v21 they're both very young with very high ceilings.

 

[Euro Twins]

Demidov is listed at 6’1 and Buch is older than both which is why I give the edge to Demidov and michkov. That doesn’t mean he can’t keep getting better and our produce them in the NHL, but right now Denison and michkov are better.

Which demidov? The one Montreal drafted? Ivan? He's listed as 5'11" 167 pounds, michkov 5'10" 172pounds and Buch is 5'10" 169 pounds. Buch is a year older than michkov and 2 years older than demidov.

Not really a massive difference, all three need to put on muscle

 

[newfy]

Is he head and shoulders below Michkov and Demidov?

Theyre absolutely better prospects. But they've been known for a long time and were always going to be good like this. Buch was considered a reach in the second round (and torched on this board if I remember right), and was drafted as an overager on top of that.

So those guys are better prospects for sure, but Buchelnikov has all the makings of a big steal out of Russia. And the fact that a guy who got passed over so easily is even in discussions offensively with the best 2 prospects out of Russia in a while says how far hes come.

How far Buchelnikov has come should have everyone on this board really excited. Where he was picked, if they get a 50 point PP specialist thats a big help for this team. Right now, thats on the low end of what hes trending for