LD Dmitri Kuzmin - Dinamo-Molodechno, Belarus (2021, 82nd, WPG)

[SeaOfBlue]

I figured since there has been a run of prospect threads for Belarussian prospects eligible for 2021, I should make one for the guy who is by far the best prospect out of Belarus this year.

Drafted by Flint in the CHL Draft this past year, he is an excellent puck mover who can make a number of stretch passes and individual rushes to push offenses. 5 points in 3 U18 games thus far, including a Lacrosse-style goal against Switzerland.



Offense is his bread and butter, but he uses his speed and aggression to defend. He is undersized at 5'10" and needs work on his play in his own end, but he is the type of guy you take in the middle rounds and can turn into a really strong bottom 4 defenseman if you develop him properly.

 

[ozo]

Fun fact - his first two professional goals in Belarus senior league both were lacrosse goals.

 

[JoshTessler]

Just published a report on Kuzmin for Smaht Scouting. Check it out. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

 

[thethinglonger]

Some footage from a game in March:

 

[Pan]

Just published a report on Kuzmin for Smaht Scouting. Check it out. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

"Even though Belarus didn’t make it to the quarterfinals"
"in five pool games"

???

 

[Killerjas]

 

[JoshTessler]

"Even though Belarus didn’t make it to the quarterfinals"
"in five pool games"

???

Belarus only played in five games at the tournament. Didn't accrue enough wins to solidify a spot in the quaterfinals.

 

[ag3r]

Belarus only played in five games at the tournament. Didn't accrue enough wins to solidify a spot in the quaterfinals.

RUS 5-2 BEL | Russia - Belarus
Russia-Belarus quarter final

 

[JoshTessler]

RUS 5-2 BEL | Russia - Belarus
Russia-Belarus quarter final

My bad. You both are right. I'll fix that.

 

[ozo]

I'm a Belarus homer, so take my excitement with a grain of salt. But this kid is makes himself noticeable (even without Michigan style goals), he has serious offensive mindset that almost needs to be tamed a bit, cause he will turn pucks in effort to generate offence. If there is such thing as a boom or bust defensemen prospect, it sure is Kuzmin. I will disagree about him being bottom pairing PP specialist, his size will work against him so unless he becomes some sort of a Karlsson lite - he won't be a NHL player at all.

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Winnipeg

 

[Guardian17]

Watch Dmitry find out he was drafted by Winnipeg @ 4 min 19 sec!

Feels when his grandma says "I told him if he leaves, I may not see him again" @ 8 min 30 sec.

 

[Guardian17]

 

[Guardian17]

 

[Guardian17]

 

[Guardian17]

Kuzmin is having a great first season in Flint. Currently, the five-foot-ten-inch defenseman has 15 goals, 21 assists, and a plus-6 plus/minus in 49 regular-season games.

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[Guardian17]

 

[Guardian17]

 

[Caser]