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

[Tim Raines]

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.

You're right, no one can know. Same way we can't know what's going on in any player's head. We make observations based on what we see. And while the kid seems mature, you can't deny he has tendencies to zone out mid-shift and lose his place on the ice and give free passage to his check.

Is this a lack of care? A lack of compete? Just a kid losing focus? It could be characterized any of these ways. But the bottom line is it's something he has to work on and will be a red flag just like any 18-year-old kid has red flags. It may prove to be a non-issue or not. But it's definitely there.

 

[Fantomas]

You're right, no one can know. Same way we can't know what's going on in any player's head. We make observations based on what we see. And while the kid seems mature, you can't deny he has tendencies to zone out mid-shift and lose his place on the ice and give free passage to his check.

Is this a lack of care? A lack of compete? Just a kid losing focus? It could be characterized any of these ways. But the bottom line is it's something he has to work on and will be a red flag just like any 18-year-old kid has red flags. It may prove to be a non-issue or not. But it's definitely there.

Conceptual clarity is important. You were claiming that Sergachev lacks compete level, whereas I see an offensively aggressive player who sometimes overcompensates and makes errors. These are not the same thing.

 

[Fantomas]

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 don't see much offensive upside to Juolevi. Maybe it is worth to take a "stud defensive dman" as you put it over Sergachev. We'll see.

 

[ijuka]

I don't see much offensive upside to Juolevi. Maybe it is worth to take a "stud defensive dman" as you put it over Sergachev. We'll see.

He had 0+9=9 in 7 gp at u-20s as a 17-year-old aka u-18 player. This is an all-time record for a u-18 defenseman. The #2 on the all-time list is Ryan Ellis at 1+6=7 in 6 gp. Yet you don't think that Juolevi has offensive upside?

 

[suddeninterest]

He had 0+9=9 in 7 gp at u-20s as a 17-year-old aka u-18 player. This is an all-time record for a u-18 defenseman. The #2 on the all-time list is Ryan Ellis at 1+6=7 in 6 gp. Yet you don't think that Juolevi has offensive upside?

No question on his ability to pass, make a first pass, or gain the zone. The question is his ability to score goals and run a powerplay from the point at the NHL level. As of this moment he doesn't have the shot (velocity or release) to be a dynamic goal scoring Dman in the NHL (such as OEL, Burns, Weber, Subban etc.) What people are saying is that Sergachev is simply a better overall shooter, which is important if you're gonna qb a pp in the NHL.

And at the NHL level it's not just the shot itself. If you know the guy at the blueline has a bomb then you have to respect that and it opens up more lanes for passing.

 

[Mad Brills*]

He's went 5th in marek's mock draft.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jeff-mareks-2016-nhl-mock-draft/

 

[ijuka]

No question on his ability to pass, make a first pass, or gain the zone. The question is his ability to score goals and run a powerplay from the point at the NHL level. As of this moment he doesn't have the shot (velocity or release) to be a dynamic goal scoring Dman in the NHL (such as OEL, Burns, Weber, Subban etc.) What people are saying is that Sergachev is simply a better overall shooter, which is important if you're gonna qb a pp in the NHL.

And at the NHL level it's not just the shot itself. If you know the guy at the blueline has a bomb then you have to respect that and it opens up more lanes for passing.

I see, if it's about the shot I certainly see Sergachyov having the advantage. In the end, it's about what kind of a player you want.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

He's the top d in the draft and should be taken as such imo...haven't wavered on this for months..

 

[TT1]

No question on his ability to pass, make a first pass, or gain the zone. The question is his ability to score goals and run a powerplay from the point at the NHL level. As of this moment he doesn't have the shot (velocity or release) to be a dynamic goal scoring Dman in the NHL (such as OEL, Burns, Weber, Subban etc.) What people are saying is that Sergachev is simply a better overall shooter, which is important if you're gonna qb a pp in the NHL.

And at the NHL level it's not just the shot itself. If you know the guy at the blueline has a bomb then you have to respect that and it opens up more lanes for passing.

yup yup, this is his biggest knock. but if your team already has a good shooter on the PP it wont matter as much

 

[Ingvar]

yup yup, this is his biggest knock. but if your team already has a good shooter on the PP it wont matter as much

You don't draft players because you have answers on your team right now. Who knows what would happen in ~5 years when a drafted D would be ready to handle 1st pairing? That's why you take BPA and all that jazz.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Sergachev
Juolevi
Chychrun

in that order for me

 

[Netter]

Is he playing forward? Why would a D-man be cherry-picking at the far blue line?

Really? Look replay

 

[Tim Raines]

Conceptual clarity is important. You were claiming that Sergachev lacks compete level, whereas I see an offensively aggressive player who sometimes overcompensates and makes errors. These are not the same thing.

I would agree in the offensive zone. I think in the D zone he quite often got caught spectating or not battling his check as hard as he needs to. So is that "compete level" or not?

There's no doubt he has an edge and aggression and there's no doubt he wants to win as he gets visibly frustrated when things don't go as planned and he even gets chippy. He just needs to stop zoning out in his end from time to time.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

He's the top d in the draft and should be taken as such imo...haven't wavered on this for months..

Same. He started playing hockey when he was 11. Didn't know who Alex Ovechkin was until he was 14. Pretty interesting case. He's hands down the best D in this draft IMO.

Doesn't have any weaknesses. He's the 4th/5th best prospect in this draft IMO. I agree with the Seabrook/Ristolainen comparisons. He's that big, physical, shut-down defencemen every team covets.

Even with the Flames depth I'm still happy taking him.

Edit: he also shoots left but plays RD.

 

[93LEAFS]

Same. He started playing hockey when he was 11. Didn't know who Alex Ovechkin was until he was 14. Pretty interesting case. He's hands down the best D in this draft IMO.

Doesn't have any weaknesses. He's the 4th/5th best prospect in this draft IMO. I agree with the Seabrook/Ristolainen comparisons. He's that big, physical, shut-down defencemen every team covets.

Even with the Flames depth I'm still happy taking him.

Edit: he also shoots left but plays RD.

He's a much better prospect (and more notably not a headcase) but that didn't start playing til 11 logic was used to give Akim Aliu a million chances.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

He's a much better prospect (and more notably not a headcase) but that didn't start playing til 11 logic was used to give Akim Aliu a million chances.

Yeah but to me it's just a bonus. Hockey is such a hard sport. It takes years just to get the basics down. Most Canadian NHL players started at age 3-5. The fact he's already won the OHLs top D-man award in his draft year, after 6 or 7 seasons is insane.

 

[supermann_98]

I thinks he's the draft's best Dman as well.

His first few strides could improve for sure, but he's gonna be a good one nonetheless.

If Edmonton is smart they take him, BPA be damned they need some top end defensive prospects

 

[Fantomas]

He had 0+9=9 in 7 gp at u-20s as a 17-year-old aka u-18 player. This is an all-time record for a u-18 defenseman. The #2 on the all-time list is Ryan Ellis at 1+6=7 in 6 gp. Yet you don't think that Juolevi has offensive upside?

Juolevi amassed many assists because the forwards were putting on a scoring clinic. I am not trying to dismiss Juolevi as a player, but you need to look at the overall context of that tournament and team.

 

[TT1]

Juolevi amassed many assists because the forwards were putting on a scoring clinic. I am not trying to dismiss Juolevi as a player, but you need to look at the overall context of that tournament and team.

well its been a trend all throughout his career.

14 pts in 18 games in the OHL playoffs, 7 pts in 4 games in the Memorial Cup, 32 pts in 44 games as an underage Dman in Jr.A U20 Liiga, very good international numbers throughout his career (and he always plays above his age group).

then add his defensive acumen into the mix.. you end up with a special prospect with ton's of upside aswell.

 

[Captain Timo]

Reminds me of Justin Faulk.

 

[5 14 6 1]

If Edmonton picks him I will be happy.

 

[5 14 6 1]

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 would bet my house on that not being the case. Most think the Oilers org values Sergachyov highest amongst available D. Oilers mouthpiece Bob Stauffer has been feeding Oil fans Tkachuk and Sergachyov kool-aid for a while now.

 

[TT1]

I would bet my house on that not being the case. Most think the Oilers org values Sergachyov highest amongst available D. Oilers mouthpiece Bob Stauffer has been feeding Oil fans Tkachuk and Sergachyov kool-aid for a while now.

we'll have to see what happens. i dont buy into all the pre draft prospect hyping tho, alot of it is smoke.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

I've seen some people not sold on Sergachyov but from what I've seen, he has many very good tools and smarts and it appears he has the drive to become a top NHLer. I would personally take him over Chychrun and Juolevi.

 

[Paxon]

He's a much better prospect (and more notably not a headcase) but that didn't start playing til 11 logic was used to give Akim Aliu a million chances.

There's a big difference there. Sergachev isn't a project. He's a high-end prospect. There are many areas for improvement with him, but it's not a comparable sitution. It's not a bunch of "what if's" with him so much as "how good can/will he be?"