Detroit Red Wings draft prospect: Andrei Svechnikov
By Ash Thompson
A pair of brothers just retired from the NHL, much to the relief of the remainder of the league. The Sedins left an undeniable mark on the NHL that will not be soon forgotten. While it is not a twin, there is a Detroit Red Wings prospect with a brother in the upcoming draft. It is tantalizing to think of a future in which Evgeny and Andrei Svechnikov flank Dylan Larkin in Detroit.
Svechnikov, a Russian right winger, made the move to North America for the 2016-17 season. He scored 29 goals and added 29 assists in 48 games for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks. He earned rookie of the year honors. In 2017-18 he made the move to the OHL. He led rookies with 1.64 points per game. Svechnikov scored 40 goals and put up 32 assists in 44 games with the Barrie Colts. He led rookies in scoring and was fifth overall in the league.
Svechnikov is a force. He does not merely hover in the slot awaiting a pass. He creates scoring chances with the puck on his stick. At 6’2 188 lbs, he has the size to play a powerful game and impose his will. He also has the grace and speed to stickhandle through the logjam many teams build in the neutral zone. He is an exceptionally powerful skater, and he uses his speed to create room for his creativity with the puck.
The younger Svetchnikov is one of those rare players whose decision making in unpredictable. He favors neither shooting nor passing. Instead, he makes situationally appropriate decisions. This is a rare gift among younger players, even many professionals never grow out of their tendencies. Svechnikov’s finds the weakness of his opponent in any given situation. That is his most important trait. Even short-handed, Svechnikov is a threat to light up the back of the net because of his speed and anticipation.
It is difficult to find holes in Svechnikov’s game. It is for that reason that he will likely be the second player to come off the board in the upcoming draft. For the Red Wings to make a family reunion between these offensively gifted brothers they would need to convince the Carolin Hurricanes to give up the second overall pick. It is a move back of four spots, to the Wings number six pick. That distance likely is the difference between an immediate top six player forward and a prospect that will not contribute for a season or two.
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The Red Wings were 28th in scoring in 2017-18. If there has ever been a time that they needed more scoring immediately it is now. Svechnikov is an imperfect fit in Detroit though. His natural role on the right wing is also the team’s deepest position. Moving up to select Svechnikov, however, could allow the Wings to leverage that depth on the right side in trades to redistribute their talent around the ice.