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

[Doug Prishpreed]

I can play a smart*ss but let's just set smth straight first, how do you rate Simashev, is he the best defensive player in the draft, is he top 5 def this year, maybe top 3?

I think you'll find that bad faith arguments aren't worth engaging in for most folks.

 

[Chainshot]

I can play a smart*ss but let's just set smth straight first, how do you rate Simashev, is he the best defensive player in the draft, is he top 5 def this year, maybe top 3?

I think you more than play at it.

As to your question, I think he's a slice below Reinbacher based on watching Reinbacher's NL games as of today. But since neither is a finished product, I can see how people would be keen on Simashev's ability to fuse mobility with play-killing stick work to extrapolate him out to more than what he has produced thus far. Is that the best defensive player in this draft? Not my claim but if everything goes perfectly for him, I could see him hitting those heights. Or I could see him being a quieter, mid-pairing defender who is relatively obscure but still valuable in his own right.

I know that I tend to thin slice guys and then have to quantify what it is that I like about a player later so for me it's his attention to his own zone and how he kills plays with stick positioning, closing to leverage players off the puck and then either taking a step to space with the puck or going to a nearby open partner for pressure release and thus the ability to clear the zone. I usually really like his stick gap and how he can get stick on puck quickly to disrupt what the rushing forward is trying to accomplish. He has the hallmarks of a solid defensive player, the sort of guy who you won't notice if you're just casually watching because things don't happen when he's out there - bad things don't happen (chances/goals) and sometimes good things don't happen (he's not directly attacking the play with high speed handles or rush attacks).

Offensively, I think there is a lot there to refine. I can see that he can see the play developing and he's often making the right decision on where to put himself or the puck. He's not super flashy nor did I see him being super aggressive - that was Gulyayev who never met a rush chance or line sprint he didn't want to attack - but effective? Sure.

Part of it is certainly the package - he moves very smoothly but at his size, that's hard to ignore - and why I started watching him and Daniil But was due to being a fan of a team with way too little size in their prospect pool. I expected to not be impressed, yet I was with both. I'd have no issue with him at 13OA if most of the draft boards break in the first dozen as guys like McKenzie have thus far indicated.

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

That's to be expected when you start from zero.

Yzerman hasn't whiffed on a pick yet, that will be when the pitchforks start coming out.

Not sure I agree that Yzerman hasn't whiffed yet...That Sebastien Cossa pick before Jesper Wallstedt had me wondering right from the start. And Cossa's first pro year landed him in the ECHL for the bulk of the year...so I'd consider him a bust at this point anyways especially after playing behind "stars" like Brattstrom and Olkinoura in Grand Rapids

 

[Kshahdoo]

Because he is big, good skater and russian?
To me, he looked more like Yegor Rykov))

He's bigger than Rykov, and better skater and stickhandler.

 

[Garl]

I think you more than play at it.

As to your question, I think he's a slice below Reinbacher based on watching Reinbacher's NL games as of today. But since neither is a finished product, I can see how people would be keen on Simashev's ability to fuse mobility with play-killing stick work to extrapolate him out to more than what he has produced thus far. Is that the best defensive player in this draft? Not my claim but if everything goes perfectly for him, I could see him hitting those heights. Or I could see him being a quieter, mid-pairing defender who is relatively obscure but still valuable in his own right.

I know that I tend to thin slice guys and then have to quantify what it is that I like about a player later so for me it's his attention to his own zone and how he kills plays with stick positioning, closing to leverage players off the puck and then either taking a step to space with the puck or going to a nearby open partner for pressure release and thus the ability to clear the zone. I usually really like his stick gap and how he can get stick on puck quickly to disrupt what the rushing forward is trying to accomplish. He has the hallmarks of a solid defensive player, the sort of guy who you won't notice if you're just casually watching because things don't happen when he's out there - bad things don't happen (chances/goals) and sometimes good things don't happen (he's not directly attacking the play with high speak handles or rush attacks).

Offensively, I think there is a lot there to refine. I can see that he can see the play developing and he's often making the right decision on where to put himself or the puck. He's not super flashy nor did I see him being super aggressive - that was Gulyayev who never met a rush chance or line sprint he didn't want to attack - but effective? Sure.

Part of it is certainly the package - he moves very smoothly but at his size, that's hard to ignore - and why I started watching him and Daniil But was due to being a fan of a team with way too little size in their prospect pool. I expected to not be impressed, yet I was with both. I'd have no issue with him at 13OA if most of the draft boards break in the first dozen as guys like McKenzie have thus far indicated.

First of all, thanks for the long post
I am on a road at the moment, will try to keep it short
I saw Simashev play this year. There were good and bad things about him for me. In general, good, skater, big, lanky awkward kid who is still adjusting to his big body. Surprisingly lost battles too often, bad shot. A project, a bit like Mattias Ekholm or Anton Blomqvist. If you dont know who is Blomqvist, he was a highly hyped swedish prospect back in 2008.

Now, let me tell you how things in russian hockey work. MHL teams are directly connected to KHL ones, when a player is really good he is usually in KHL and not in MHL. Now, you mentioned Gulyaev, with a player like him, coaches would take a more conservative approach with him since even though he is obviously too good for MHL, he is not good enough defensively for KHL. However with Simashev the claim is that he is "best defensive player in the draft" and he can't make KHL on a consistent basis? Reinbacher made NL for example, and swiss coaches are quite conservative aswell.

Problem is, that due to military political situation right now, russian players are mystery boxes since they don't play any international competition at all. There are special talents like Michkov, who plays in KHL already, but with Simashev/Gulyaev/But etc you just lack evaluation tools since MHL is just, well bad.

You like the player? You think he can become great defensive player because of his tools, well, maybe you are right, like I was when I was high on Mattias Ekholm back in 2008, or maybe like with Blomqvist

 

[GoBoltz56]

Not sure I agree that Yzerman hasn't whiffed yet...That Sebastien Cossa pick before Jesper Wallstedt had me wondering right from the start. And Cossa's first pro year landed him in the ECHL for the bulk of the year...so I'd consider him a bust at this point anyways especially after playing behind "stars" like Brattstrom and Olkinoura in Grand Rapids

That was always the plan for Cossa this year. He was only 19 and missed a chunk of development time with the shortened covid season. They wanted him to play as many games as possible and Toledo was the best place for it this year.

 

[Garl]

He's bigger than Rykov, and better skater and stickhandler.

Doesn't matter IMO, Rykov's tools were good, it is not why he busted

 

[RayMartyniukTotems]

That was always the plan for Cossa this year. He was only 19 and missed a chunk of development time with the shortened covid season. They wanted him to play as many games as possible and Toledo was the best place for it this year.

Toledo was the best place for him?Well maybe but Wallstedt was playing AHL minutes big time so the scouts and Yzerman pulled a rabbit outta their asses with Cossa who looks to me to be a flop...Its one of the reasons why there has been talk of bringing van Pottelberghe over once his contract in NLA has been fulfilled! And besides Husso has been setting the goaltending in Detroit on fire

 

[Chainshot]

First of all, thanks for the long post
I am on a road at the moment, will try to keep it short
I saw Simashev play this year. There were good and bad things about him for me. In general, good, skater, big, lanky awkward kid who is still adjusting to his big body. Surprisingly lost battles too often, bad shot. A project, a bit like Mattias Ekholm or Anton Blomqvist. If you dont know who is Blomqvist, he was a highly hyped swedish prospect back in 2008.

I'm aware of who Blomqvist is/was.

Now, let me tell you how things in russian hockey work. MHL teams are directly connected to KHL ones, when a player is really good he is usually in KHL and not in MHL. Now, you mentioned Gulyaev, with a player like him, coaches would take a more conservative approach with him since even though he is obviously too good for MHL, he is not good enough defensively for KHL. However with Simashev the claim is that he is "best defensive player in the draft" and he can't make KHL on a consistent basis? Reinbacher made NL for example, and swiss coaches are quite conservative aswell.

Gulyayev was less productive in part because he played even less in games at the KHL level that he was dressed. Simashev at least has the defensive ability to hold his own against men at that level while Gulyayev, who is as fun a bundle of afterburners on blades as anyone in this draft, most certainly does not. You may also want to argue with the person who made the comment about "best defensive player in the draft" rather than trying to argue that with me. That ain't my claim and I've said as much.

Problem is, that due to military political situation right now, russian players are mystery boxes since they don't play any international competition at all. There are special talents like Michkov, who plays in KHL already, but with Simashev/Gulyaev/But etc you just lack evaluation tools since MHL is just, well bad.

And that's part of watching what they do even if they are lining up against a team like SKA-Kareliya Kondopoga - how do they play situations and what are they doing even if the competition isn't as strong. It's not like Simashev's rep was all built on Silver Division also-rans, same with Gulyayev's offensive chops - the player can play and exhibit certain skills that point to being potentially good at what they do especially when measured against one another like in the recent youth tournament.

You like the player? You think he can become great defensive player because of his tools, well, maybe you are right, like I was when I was high on Mattias Ekholm back in 2008, or maybe like with Blomqvist

How is that any different than any other defenseman who isn't an offensive powerhouse? And if you are going to keep trying to push words into someone's posts, go argue with whoever else has a feather up your craw over Simashev.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Simashev's skating.

 

[WingsToPick4th]

Good player, not sure why there's so much talk of Yzerman taking him at 9 when that's literally the last position the wings need.

 

[Doug Prishpreed]

Good player, not sure why there's so much talk of Yzerman taking him at 9 when that's literally the last position the wings need.

Agreed, but that’s a really interesting question - I think he’ll aim for one of the legit centers. And I think he’ll prioritize skill and tenacity over size.

 

[Zine]

Ok, my position
Simashev played mostly MHL this year. It js a very low level of hockey. Dominating there is not an indicator of being the "best defensive player"

If he played WJC or U18 against best players in the World of his age and was really good there(like Wilander) then would be one story.
Another option, if he played a lot at KHL level and looked good against men(like Reinbacher) but it wasn't the case. Btw, if he really was that good defensively "an Eraser" like someone claimed he would have got more ice time in KHL.

So, essentially, the "Eraser" legend is based on MHL and somehow we have lots of people from North America who watch MHL in their spare time, and also watch SHL, SHL j20, Liiga, Liiga J20, NL, CHL, USHL, Czech league etc. Very believable

To say Simashev is playing poor competition is a blatant generalization. The quality of the MHL fluctuates drastically from top to bottom. Therefore it's imparative to watch a player and analyze his individual situation.
You don't do this. Your argument is based on superficial scrutny like "the MHL is very low level!", "he wasn't tested at the U18 or WJC!", "unlike Reinbacher, Simashev didn't play a lot against men because he was bad!", blah, blah, blah, blah.

If you were an NHL scout you'd be fired your first day of employment with such an astute and insightful assessment.

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

To say Simashev is playing poor competition is a blatant generalization. The quality of the MHL fluctuates drastically from top to bottom. Therefore it's imparative to watch a player and analyze his individual situation.
You don't do this. Your argument is based on superficial scrutny like "the MHL is very low level!", "he wasn't tested at the U18 or WJC!", "unlike Reinbacher, Simashev didn't play a lot against men because he was bad!", blah, blah, blah, blah.

If you were an NHL scout you'd be fired your first day of employment with such an astute and insightful assessment.

Astute?

 

[Chainshot]

Astute?

Sarcasm.

 

[57special]

I guess if BUFF really likes Simashev then taking him at #13 is fine, but i can't help buy feel that they could move back a few spots and take either he, or Willander in the late teens, and get another pick/prospect. Could also take a talented forward at 13oa, of course.
Next year the crop of D is likely to be far stronger. Not sure this is the draft year to reach for a Dman.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Picking defensemen is always a crapshoot...

 

[majormajor]

I guess if BUFF really likes Simashev then taking him at #13 is fine, but i can't help buy feel that they could move back a few spots and take either he, or Willander in the late teens, and get another pick/prospect. Could also take a talented forward at 13oa, of course.
Next year the crop of D is likely to be far stronger. Not sure this is the draft year to reach for a Dman.

It ain't a reach. The skill package with Simashev is something that should normally go around 8-15.

Willander will go high, probably to the Sabres if the Canucks or Coyotes don't take him first.

Neither of those are reaches and you shouldn't trade down if you want them. On the contrary if you want a second line winger out of this draft you can trade down to #20 or so and still have a nice selection.

 

[Garl]

To say Simashev is playing poor competition is a blatant generalization. The quality of the MHL fluctuates drastically from top to bottom. Therefore it's imparative to watch a player and analyze his individual situation.
You don't do this. Your argument is based on superficial scrutny like "the MHL is very low level!", "he wasn't tested at the U18 or WJC!", "unlike Reinbacher, Simashev didn't play a lot against men because he was bad!", blah, blah, blah, blah.

If you were an NHL scout you'd be fired your first day of employment with such an astute and insightful assessment.

MHL is bad period. Doesn't mean you can't draft out of it or that a good player can't come from it. But, all the players there are raw and don't deserve the label of the "best defensive player" or smth. Just like you don't see such labels attached to players who exclusively played in finnish juniors for example

Simashev didn't play much in KHL because he is not good enough for this level yet. What is the contradiction about this statement. Maybe, he would have got more ice time with another organisation. I also think that out of this class of D, only Reinbacher and Lindstein were ready for KHL level already.

Regarding my potential as a scout, I am not writing here pretending I want or am one. But here we are discussing an alleged top prospect who allegedly can go very high in the draft and I don't see any solid base for the hype that you guys are generating and directly comparing him (in his favor) even if you watched him for 30 games in MHL.

Picking defensemen is always a crapshoot...

Voynov was the safest pick out of Russia on my memory

 

[Ace]

I guess if BUFF really likes Simashev then taking him at #13 is fine, but i can't help buy feel that they could move back a few spots and take either he, or Willander in the late teens, and get another pick/prospect. Could also take a talented forward at 13oa, of course.
Next year the crop of D is likely to be far stronger. Not sure this is the draft year to reach for a Dman.

It’s not a reach. So you can stop worrying.

 

[shotvalley]

It’s not a reach. So you can stop worrying.

Maybe its not a reach tools wise but he is not from western countries so there is political risk which is quite big right now. You are being naive if you dont count that in.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Buffalo signed 3 Russians this year, 1 last year so I don't think his nationality will scare them off

 

[shotvalley]

Buffalo signed 3 Russians this year, 1 last year so I don't think his nationality will scare them off

It is a 1st round pick so its quite different than signing prospect. You are not expected to pay salary if the prospect doesnt show up.

 

[Old Navy Goat]

They drafted 2 in the 2nd round 2 years ago signed one already, drafted 1 in the 3rd last year already signed and then a later round pick. It's not like they haven't taken Russians with relatively high picks so if Kevin Adams and the staff feel he's BPA I don't think they'll GAF where he's from

 

[shotvalley]

They drafted 2 in the 2nd round 2 years ago signed one already, drafted 1 in the 3rd last year already signed and then a later round pick. It's not like they haven't taken Russians with relatively high picks so if Kevin Adams and the staff feel he's BPA I don't think they'll GAF where he's from

Did russia started a full scale war two years ago? No, it's been only one year and three months now. Besides russia has tighten peoples rights during the war. First draft (a draft where you cant say no) was only nine months ago and next one is coming soon. Im not saying that hockey prospects will be drafted to army but if a country is ready to get 200 000 own men slaughtered in a little over a year there might be a risks looming under the surface. So yes - GM's do give a f*uck because risk management is part of their job (or it atleast should be!).

I want to add that in Michkov's case this will be different because Michkov is special talent - risk reward is very different in his case. Simashev is a good prospects but not seen as difference maker at this point, so i think he wont go very high.