LD Dmitry Simashev - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL (2023, 6th, ARI)

[majormajor]

He's my favorite D-man of the draft. It's great that he's big and can really move with the puck, but I also think his potential as a minute munching defensive player makes him very attractive. Could I wish he was a bit more physical, sure, but his positioning and gap control are as textbook as I've seen from a draft eligible player.

One thing I will say: he needs to improve his slap shot. Without doing so, I could see his offensive potential stunted as a non-shooting threat.

From the Recrutes video on Simashev, it looks like all of his shots are muffins. The wrist shot too.

The EP crew were saying "the offense is going to come" but it isn't really a mystery why a guy can get chances but not finish them when he has that skating (elite) and that shot (popgun).

 

[Juxtaposer]

I’m extremely curious where this guy will end up going in the draft. If he weren’t playing in Russia (where he’s difficult to scout live, never mind the off-ice risks), I feel like he could go as high as 11th. With all the fear and trepidation around drafting Russians playing in Russia, I’m praying he falls to the Sharks at the Devils pick (likely ~27th or so).

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

I’m extremely curious where this guy will end up going in the draft. If he weren’t playing in Russia (where he’s difficult to scout live, never mind the off-ice risks), I feel like he could go as high as 11th. With all the fear and trepidation around drafting Russians playing in Russia, I’m praying he falls to the Sharks at the Devils pick (likely ~27th or so).

I would be surprised if he doesn’t fall out of first round. Russian prospects gonna go far lower than their talent level this year. Guys like him and but could be steals for someone in 2nd or even (unlikely as it may be) 3rd.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I would be surprised if he doesn’t fall out of first round. Russian prospects gonna go far lower than their talent level this year. Guys like him and but could be steals for someone in 2nd or even (unlikely as it may be) 3rd.

I would love to be the team that grabs those guys in the 2nd round, man. You may well be right, but it’s insane to imagine getting a player this good after the first round.

 

[Caser]

 

[Garl]

From the Recrutes video on Simashev, it looks like all of his shots are muffins. The wrist shot too.

The EP crew were saying "the offense is going to come" but it isn't really a mystery why a guy can get chances but not finish them when he has that skating (elite) and that shot (popgun).

He is very raw, good tools, but nothing else at the moment. Would not draft him, easier to draft him next year if he progresses

Depends on the talks with him though, if a team is ready to wait until he is like 22-23 and there is an understanding that he will not pull a Blake Wheeler on them, then OK

 

[Chainshot]

He is very raw, good tools, but nothing else at the moment. Would not draft him, easier to draft him next year if he progresses

Depends on the talks with him though, if a team is ready to wait until he is like 22-23 and there is an understanding that he will not pull a Blake Wheeler on them, then OK

He's going to be drafted this year and with no transfer agreement, there is no "out" for Russian players drafted out of Russian leagues. Once taken, that player's rights are with the drafting team until they are what, 27? 28?

 

[Garl]

He's going to be drafted this year and with no transfer agreement, there is no "out" for Russian players drafted out of Russian leagues. Once taken, that player's rights are with the drafting team until they are what, 27? 28?

Oh, thats convinient.

 

[majormajor]

He is very raw, good tools, but nothing else at the moment. Would not draft him, easier to draft him next year if he progresses

Depends on the talks with him though, if a team is ready to wait until he is like 22-23 and there is an understanding that he will not pull a Blake Wheeler on them, then OK

I think that's too pessimistic.

Simashev is a great skater and he tends to make good decisions. Obviously a lot of size to work with. Yeah he'll take years to be ready, but that's okay. After the first twelve or so picks, getting a top 4 D in 4 years is good value.

 

[Caser]

Primary assist here:

 

[Lavar Ball]

Sabres should consider him, he's underrated

 

[DivochLubo]

I like this kid. Seen him in decent number of games and he was improving each time. He was playing his best hockey in the play off. Think not only speed and body, but also solid inteligence.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

This year’s playoffs has me realizing that I absolutely love the way Siegenthaler plays. Huge fan.

I mention that for no reason whatsoever in the Simashev thread

 

[UrbanImpact]

Easily the best defensive player in this draft. By a mile.

He is starting to creep into my top 10-12.


Cam Robinson of Dobbers Hockey has Simashev as the best Dman ahead of Reinbacher and ASP.

 

[Kcoyote3]

Easily the best defensive player in this draft. By a mile.

He is starting to creep into my top 10-12.


Cam Robinson of Dobbers Hockey has Simashev as the best Dman ahead of Reinbacher and ASP.

Isn't Cam from EP?

 

[Chainshot]

Sabres should consider him, he's underrated

He's been one of my favorites since I started watching his MHL games. I just don't know if they go there at 13.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

He's been one of my favorites since I started watching his MHL games. I just don't know if they go there at 13.

I would definitely go there at 13. I think he’s the 2nd best defenseman in the draft after Reinbacher. They are good on forwards for the most part. I think they could use a guy like Simashev in their lineup over ASP.

I don’t think they’d do it, but I wouldn’t be mad if I was a Buffalo fan. What is more likely to happen I think is they draft a forward at 13 like Heidt, Yager, or Wood and draft a defenseman that falls like Dvorsky, Bonk, Akey, Price, Cagnoni, etc.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Would one of him or Willander still be available by the Flames 2nd round pick or nah?

 

[MichaelFarrell]

Would one of him or Willander still be available by the Flames 2nd round pick or nah?

48 could be a stretch. I think it’s likely Willander is available out of the two for them. I can’t see any team pass on Simashev’s size and potential for the entire first round.

 

[majormajor]

Would one of him or Willander still be available by the Flames 2nd round pick or nah?

No. Both might be gone by the Flames 1st.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

No. Both might be gone by the Flames 1st.

I really do not see both being picked before 16th haha. Both by 48th sadly probably will happen. But if somehow both are picked by 16th, Flames have a spoil of riches of great forwards to choose from. Wonder if Flames would trade down and get an extra 2nd rounder from Chicago (They have 4) or from Nashville (They have 2). Maybe 16th for 20th and Ottawa's 2nd rounder? Still feel Willander will probably be snatched by Detroit sadly, but if he isn't, he for sure will be snatched by Nashville, so I hope the Flames a 2nd before Nashville picks.

 

[majormajor]

I really do not see both being picked before 16th haha. Both by 48th sadly probably will happen. But if somehow both are picked by 16th, Flames have a spoil of riches of great forwards to choose from. Wonder if Flames would trade down and get an extra 2nd rounder from Chicago (They have 4) or from Nashville (They have 2). Maybe 16th for 20th and Ottawa's 2nd rounder? Still feel Willander will probably be snatched by Detroit sadly, but if he isn't, he for sure will be snatched by Nashville, so I hope the Flames a 2nd before Nashville picks.

I could see Willander going to Detroit or Vancouver or Buffalo.

And Trotz in Nashville I think would love to get Simashev.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I could see Willander going to Detroit or Vancouver or Buffalo.

And Trotz in Nashville I think would love to get Simashev.

Simashev could very well be gone by then, but I cannot see Willander being picked that high. Toronto could grab him with their 1st rounder, and I definitely do not see Detroit skipping on Willander in the 2nd if he's still there. Honestly I want Flames to pick Stenberg with their pick, I'm very high on him, that's assuming if Moore, Wood, Leonard, Perreault, and ASP are off board by then (Which I'd be baffled if anyone of them is still on board by then).

 

[majormajor]

Simashev could very well be gone by then, but I cannot see Willander being picked that high. Toronto could grab him with their 1st rounder, and I definitely do not see Detroit skipping on Willander in the 2nd if he's still there. Honestly I want Flames to pick Stenberg with their pick, I'm very high on him, that's assuming if Moore, Wood, Leonard, Perreault, and ASP are off board by then (Which I'd be baffled if anyone of them is still on board by then).

I would expect Willander to go ahead of some of those forwards, maybe even ASP too.

He was that good at the U18s.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

I would expect Willander to go ahead of some of those forwards, maybe even ASP too.

He was that good at the U18s.

well u18 is one series, so idk.