LD Mikhail Sergachev (2016, 9th, MTL; traded to TBL)

[TT1]

Do you think the fact that it's his first yr in North America may have had something to do with that?

Do you think his raw skill are better than Chychrun and Juolevi?

How bad we talking with that attitude?

Also do you think he deserved to be OHL defenseman of the year?

1) possibly, i can only judge him on his on ice play, dont have any info on what goes on behind the scenes

2) Yes (Sergachev has the best tools of the 3) but i have Juolevi ahead of both of them due to guaranteed upside. Juolevi will be an impactful NHL dman because hes just an extremely smart player, the bonus w/ him is that he might develop his o-game even more and become a force in the NHL, if not he'll still be a defensive stud.

3) Attitude? I dunno about that, he just played with a certain nonchalance in the d-zone. Way too much puck watching, he needs to be more active and read the play better. A good defensive dman is always 1 step ahead of the play, an average or mediocre defensive player chases the play or is always 1 step behind.

4) Nope. I had Dermott/Masin/Dunn ahead of him (aswell as Juolevi), if it were up to me i would have given it to Dermott.

 

[Boxscore]

I really don't see all the Provorov comparisons ... at all.

The only similarities are that both are Russian and have seen their draft stock rise significantly during their draft years.

But their styles of play are completely different - sort of like comparing Keith to Seabrook, Weber to Josi or Doughty to Jack Johnson (when JJ was a King).

Provorov is elite defensively, silky-smooth, cerebral, and a 2-way force. He's very similar in style to that of Keith, Josi or Doughty. Sergachev is more in the mold of a Weber, Seabrook or Johnson type. He's not as smooth or swift-skating as Prorovov - his style is more plodding, lumbering and "thick" like Seabrook. He also packs a wallop of a shot from the point, which is hid bread and butter. Provorov can distribute equally as well as he shoots, and his shot arsenal is more complex than Sergachev's.

I like Sergachev though and see him blossoming into a Seabrook or Ristolainen type if he hits his ceiling. Provorov has another level on him though ... and his game is more complete.

 

[Ace]

Ristolainen hasn't even finished developing and is a 21 year old all situations #1 already and Provorov hasn't played one second as a pro let alone in the NHL.

What an assessment.

...

 

[Boxscore]

Ristolainen hasn't even finished developing and is a 21 year old all situations #1 already and Provorov hasn't played one second as a pro let alone in the NHL.

What an assessment.

...

You are right. But what does that have to do with my assessment?

I see Sergachev progressing along the lines of Ristolainen or Seabrook ... if he reaches his potential.

As for the Provorov comparisons - their "styles" are just completely different. What's incorrect about that assessment? I also think Provorov has a higher ceiling due to the type of skill set he possesses. Not sure what's so far-fetched about that.

 

[puckfan13]

I was extremely high on him around December/January but im not really sure about him anymore. He has great tools but towards the last few months of the season his play wasn't good, he was very inconsistent and had poor d-zone coverage, he was just playing very lazy and that's a huge red flag for me.

It's hard to lose bad habits like that.. and all this is coming from someone who loved this kid up until 3-4 months ago. I've been following him since the U17's and i've seen him play over 20 times this season (not counting his international games), he has great upside but he's a risky pick aswell.

It's almost like he came over from a completely foreign country, had to learn to understand and become conversational in a completely new language, adapt to a completely new lifestyle, culture, customs, learn to socialize with 30 people on a daily basis he had never met before... and then he played the longest season he has ever played at this high of a level with new coaching tactics and in a rink he is not used to, with opposing coaches game-planning around his weapons and hoping to punish him more and more as the season went on... it's almost like that wore him down a little more than a typical kid from the GTA over the course of a season..

Crazy thought, I know...

 

[TT1]

It's almost like he came over from a completely foreign country, had to learn a new language, a completely new lifestyle, culture, customs, learn to socialize with 30 people on a daily basis he had never met before... and then he played the longest season he has ever played at this high of a level with new coaching tactics and in a rink he is not used to, with opposing coaches game-planning around his weapons and hoping to punish him more and more as the season went on... it's almost like that wore him down a little more than a typical kid from the GTA over the course of a season..

Crazy thought, I know...

like i said, that could be true but facts are facts and we have none, you're just speculating.

if thats enough to convince you that hes worth getting picked by your team then thats great, everyone's entitled to an opinion.

 

[puckfan13]

like i said, that could be true but facts are facts and we have none, you're just speculating.

if thats enough to convince you that hes worth getting picked by your team then thats great, everyone's entitled to an opinion.

Speculating? That is natural human nature... If anything I would expect him to have a bit of a drop-off at some point of the season...

 

[93LEAFS]

like i said, that could be true but facts are facts and we have none, you're just speculating.

if thats enough to convince you that hes worth getting picked by your team then thats great, everyone's entitled to an opinion.

I know the Q has had some success with Russians, but Sergachev has had the best transition play-wise I've seen from a Russian to the OHL in recent years. Obviously, my team isn't in a position to pick him, but he seems to be fair value in the 7-14 range. Granted, if you don't have a defensive need I can easily see the preference for one of the more dynamic wingers like A. Nylander and Keller.

 

[snipes]

I know the Q has had some success with Russians, but Sergachev has had the best transition play-wise I've seen from a Russian to the OHL in recent years. Obviously, my team isn't in a position to pick him, but he seems to be fair value in the 7-14 range. Granted, if you don't have a defensive need I can easily see the preference for one of the more dynamic wingers like A. Nylander and Keller.

We've chatted before and I know you watch a fair amount of OHL games.

If the Oilers keep our #4 pick and Pulju doesn't fall to us (praying for it), Sergachyov is a real possibility for us. It seems like Tkachuk will be the guy, but there's been a lot of chatter about Sergachyov as a possibility.

What's your review on him? How did he look compared to other draft eligible D men from the OHL in recent years?

 

[93LEAFS]

We've chatted before and I know you watch a fair amount of OHL games.

If the Oilers keep our #4 pick and Pulju doesn't fall to us (praying for it), Sergachyov is a real possibility for us. It seems like Tkachuk will be the guy, but there's been a lot of chatter about Sergachyov as a possibility.

What's your review on him? How did he look compared to other draft eligible D men from the OHL in recent years?

I like him, out of the D I saw for this draft, I always thought him and Chychrun had the most upside (Juolevi is the safest, and its hard to compare him to the more physically developed guys like Chychrun and Sergachev, who are huge). One of the best goal-scoring D the OHL has seen in awhile. You are going to have to be patient but the long-term reward could be amazing. I know this has little to do with the prospect (and the rep may be changing) but Russian D always scare me as prospects. I'd say he's in that Dougie Hamilton category as a prospect, not Ekblad or Doughty level, and probably slightly behind where Bogosian and Pietrangelo were.

I think you should go with Tkachuk though, I believe he could look amazing with Draisaitl on a tough possession based line, contrary to all the talk about him lining up with McDavid. Tkachuk really impressed me on the playoff run. He rarely makes a bad play.

 

[snipes]

I like him, out of the D I saw for this draft, I always thought him and Chychrun had the most upside (Juolevi is the safest, and its hard to compare him to the more physically developed guys like Chychrun and Sergachev, who are huge). One of the best goal-scoring D the OHL has seen in awhile. You are going to have to be patient but the long-term reward could be amazing. I know this has little to do with the prospect (and the rep may be changing) but Russian D always scare me as prospects. I'd say he's in that Dougie Hamilton category as a prospect, not Ekblad or Doughty level, and probably slightly behind where Bogosian and Pietrangelo were.

I think you should go with Tkachuk though, I believe he could look amazing with Draisaitl on a tough possession based line, contrary to all the talk about him lining up with McDavid. Tkachuk really impressed me on the playoff run. He rarely makes a bad play.

Thanks for the run down.

I agree, Tkachuk is the type of guy that would compliment McDavid or Drai very well. Chia seems to be extremely high on him. In a vacuum, Dubois might be the prospect with higher potential, but Tkachuk fits our needs perfectly. You view things differently with 97 as the centrepiece you build around.

 

[Johnsie19]

like i said, that could be true but facts are facts and we have none, you're just speculating.

if thats enough to convince you that hes worth getting picked by your team then thats great, everyone's entitled to an opinion.

Give me a ceiling/floor player comparison for Sergachev vs Juolevi in your opinion.

 

[TT1]

I know the Q has had some success with Russians, but Sergachev has had the best transition play-wise I've seen from a Russian to the OHL in recent years. Obviously, my team isn't in a position to pick him, but he seems to be fair value in the 7-14 range. Granted, if you don't have a defensive need I can easily see the preference for one of the more dynamic wingers like A. Nylander and Keller.

sure 7-14 is fair value for him of course, i'd just be wary of picking him ahead of Juolevi, he's close with Chychrun tho.

Give me a ceiling/floor player comparison for Sergachev vs Juolevi in your opinion.

dunno tbh, need to think about it some more

 

[Zaddy]

I was extremely high on him around December/January but im not really sure about him anymore. He has great tools but towards the last few months of the season his play wasn't good, he was very inconsistent and had poor d-zone coverage, he was just playing very lazy and that's a huge red flag for me.

It's hard to lose bad habits like that.. and all this is coming from someone who loved this kid up until 3-4 months ago. I've been following him since the U17's and i've seen him play over 20 times this season (not counting his international games), he has great upside but he's a risky pick aswell.

Agreed. I'm in the same boat. Really loved Sergachyov the first couple of months of the season but cooled off quite a bit on him as the season went on. Still like him a lot but I don't have him ranked #4 like I did at one point. He's probably still my number 1 ranked defenseman in this draft but there is very little seperation between him and the rest of the pack.

I really don't see all the Provorov comparisons ... at all.

The only similarities are that both are Russian and have seen their draft stock rise significantly during their draft years.

But their styles of play are completely different - sort of like comparing Keith to Seabrook, Weber to Josi or Doughty to Jack Johnson (when JJ was a King).

Provorov is elite defensively, silky-smooth, cerebral, and a 2-way force. He's very similar in style to that of Keith, Josi or Doughty. Sergachev is more in the mold of a Weber, Seabrook or Johnson type. He's not as smooth or swift-skating as Prorovov - his style is more plodding, lumbering and "thick" like Seabrook. He also packs a wallop of a shot from the point, which is hid bread and butter. Provorov can distribute equally as well as he shoots, and his shot arsenal is more complex than Sergachev's.

I like Sergachev though and see him blossoming into a Seabrook or Ristolainen type if he hits his ceiling. Provorov has another level on him though ... and his game is more complete.

Agreed, Provorov and Sergachyov doesn't have much in common at all except their nationalities. Provorov is on a different level IMO. Much more complete as a player and much more polished in all three zones. Provorov is a stud, Sergachyov is raw but obviously has a lot of upside.

I like him, out of the D I saw for this draft, I always thought him and Chychrun had the most upside (Juolevi is the safest, and its hard to compare him to the more physically developed guys like Chychrun and Sergachev, who are huge). One of the best goal-scoring D the OHL has seen in awhile. You are going to have to be patient but the long-term reward could be amazing. I know this has little to do with the prospect (and the rep may be changing) but Russian D always scare me as prospects. I'd say he's in that Dougie Hamilton category as a prospect, not Ekblad or Doughty level, and probably slightly behind where Bogosian and Pietrangelo were.

Hamilton is not a bad comparison talent wise actually. I could see Sergachyov having a similar career arc.

 

[TT1]

Sergachev's interview (12mins)

"Biggest area you need to improve in your game?"

Sergachev: "I need to be more agressive in my own end, be tough in front of the net and in the corners" (spot on imo)

glad he's aware of his weaknesses and is willing to improve

 

[93LEAFS]

Sergachev's interview (12mins)

"Biggest area you need to improve in your game?"

Sergachev: "I need to be more agressive in my own end, be tough in front of the net and in the corners" (spot on imo)

glad he's aware of his weaknesses and is willing to improve

He supposedly interviewed well at the combine. People were impressed by his answers and how he was willing to go to the U-18's to help his country out even though it looked like a lost cause.

 

[Zaddy]

He supposedly interviewed well at the combine. People were impressed by his answers and how he was willing to go to the U-18's to help his country out even though it looked like a lost cause.

There's also this video of him receiving the award as best defenseman in the OHL. http://new.ontariohockeyleague.com/video/mikhail-sergachev-max-kaminsky-trophy

He starts talking at around 1:40. Just sounds like a very mature and good kid.

 

[Zombotron]

The guy's command of English is very good for someone who only started learning the language a year ago.

 

[Tim Raines]

He still reminds me a lot of Vladimir Malakhov in so many ways. Big, strong, solid frame and strong skater with a good shot. Top-end tools, but questionable compete and consistency level.

With the proper coaching, he can be developed into a great asset. The raw materials are there, they just need to the detonator so-to-speak.

I thought in the playoffs when it got tighter and faster and more tough match-ups that he was exposed a little for his tendencies. One tendency was to always rush to the right side and protect the puck on his back-hand. Opponents started to take advantage of that knowing his options were limited and he often was angled harmlessly into the corner. He needs to be less predictable.

One other tendency was to log big minutes and take some breaks in the D zone. He learned you just can't do that against top-6 forwards at the intense times of the year/game. It's a constant compete - and if that means shortening shifts and saving some of his legs by not trying to lead the rush, he'll have to do that.

 

[Fantomas]

I don't see questionable compete level at all. Sergachev can be streaky and he often plays the game with a kind of cockiness, but conflating these traits with compete level is a conceptual misundersanding, IMO.

 

[Fantomas]

I am glad to see Sergachev rising on some mock drafts and rankings, and above Juolevi on many of them. Frankly I am puzzled why anyone would choose Juolevi. I acknowledge J's polish, and maybe he is the better bet to be a solid NHLer down the line, but Sergachev is one of those guys who could be a true power play weapon some day. I can see him scoring 15 goals with his shot. I think he is the only defenseman in this draft who has that kind of upside. And his weaknesses are all fixable.

Although I tend to agree with the Malakhov comparisons, I think that the analogy works because of stylistic similarities and on the level of talent. Malakhov was extremely talented. But his problem was in his head. How can people possibly presume to know what is in Sergachev's head (that is his compete level or maturity or enthusiasm for the game)? Absurd. You can't know.

 

[TT1]

I am glad to see Sergachev rising on some mock drafts and rankings, and above Juolevi on many of them. Frankly I am puzzled why anyone would choose Juolevi. I acknowledge J's polish, and maybe he is the better bet to be a solid NHLer down the line, but Sergachev is one of those guys who could be a true power play weapon some day. I can see him scoring 15 goals with his shot. I think he is the only defenseman in this draft who has that kind of upside. And his weaknesses are all fixable.

Although I tend to agree with the Malakhov comparisons, I think that the analogy works because of stylistic similarities and on the level of talent. Malakhov was extremely talented. But his problem was in his head. How can people possibly presume to know what is in Sergachev's head (that is his compete level or maturity or enthusiasm for the game)? Absurd. You can't know.

Juolevi is a stud defensive dman (who plays ALOT of hard minutes) with phenomenal hockey IQ AND he has offensive upside, hes the type of player teams salivate over. I'd be shocked if Sergachev gets picked ahead of him, i think if Edmonton stays put at 4 they'll pick Juolevi.

 

[suddeninterest]

Juolevi is a stud defensive dman (who plays ALOT of hard minutes) with phenomenal hockey IQ AND he has offensive upside, hes the type of player teams salivate over. I'd be shocked if Sergachev gets picked ahead of him, i think if Edmonton stays put at 4 they'll pick Juolevi.

I agree with you about Juolevi, he's the type of player that's heavily relied upon and you can't trade for. I see his ceiling as a better Tanev, so basically Vlasic. I don't think Edm will take him though. From the interviews and apparently a source within the Oil, they are high on Serg and really like his offense/shot and NHL size, and his IQ is nothing to sneeze at either. From everything I've read and watched, the Oil have shown more interest in him. If that's posturing or not idk.

 

[TT1]

I agree with you about Juolevi, he's the type of player that's heavily relied upon and you can't trade for. I see his ceiling as a better Tanev, so basically Vlasic. I don't think Edm will take him though. From the interviews and apparently a source within the Oil, they are high on Serg and really like his offense/shot and NHL size, and his IQ is nothing to sneeze at either. From everything I've read and watched, the Oil have shown more interest in him. If that's posturing or not idk.

teams would never reveal which players they like prior to the draft (you can see this in that 2015 Kekalainen draft vid). alot of bluffing goes on during this period before the draft.

 

[MS]

I really don't see all the Provorov comparisons ... at all.

The only similarities are that both are Russian and have seen their draft stock rise significantly during their draft years.

But their styles of play are completely different - sort of like comparing Keith to Seabrook, Weber to Josi or Doughty to Jack Johnson (when JJ was a King).

Provorov is elite defensively, silky-smooth, cerebral, and a 2-way force. He's very similar in style to that of Keith, Josi or Doughty. Sergachev is more in the mold of a Weber, Seabrook or Johnson type. He's not as smooth or swift-skating as Prorovov - his style is more plodding, lumbering and "thick" like Seabrook. He also packs a wallop of a shot from the point, which is hid bread and butter. Provorov can distribute equally as well as he shoots, and his shot arsenal is more complex than Sergachev's.

I like Sergachev though and see him blossoming into a Seabrook or Ristolainen type if he hits his ceiling. Provorov has another level on him though ... and his game is more complete.

Good post, agreed completely. Just totally different players aside from being Russian.