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Selected in the first round, 32nd overall at least year’s CHL import draft, Yakov Trenin made his way to North America and had a solid rookie season with the Gatineau Olympiques putting up 18 goals and 67 points in 58 games. His point total was good enough for fifth amongst all QMJHL rookies. Trenin would add three goals and 11 points in 11 playoff games for Gatineau. For those concerned about the Russian factor, he was drafted in the first round, 14th overall, by his hometown team Traktor Chelaybinsk in the 2014 KHL draft. Despite that selection he still opted to play with the Olympiques in the QMJHL this season, so that should help to alleviate some of the concerns about his commitment to play in North America and make his way to the NHL going forward.
Yakov Trenin
Left Wing/Centre — shoots Left
Born Jan 13 1997 — Chelaybinsk Russia
Height 6.02 — Weight 194 [188 cm/88 kg]
Yakov Trenin has shown to be an effective playmaker off the wing. He uses his size and stickhandling ability to protect the puck and extend plays in the cycle game. This gives his teammates time to get open and when they do Trenin creates a scoring opportunity by putting a quick pass right on their tape. He has very good vision and the ability to put the puck through the smallest of openings. While the stats show that he is more playmaker than scorer, Trenin does have a very powerful wrist shot and an excellent release. He just doesn’t use that shot often enough though, almost always looking for passing lane. Trennin is willing to play a robust physical game. He can be a big hitter on the forecheck, punishing opposing defencemen who go back to retrieve dump-ins and loose pucks. Trenin is also not afraid to battle on the boards for loose pucks and try to gain position to get open for a shot. He’s also very good at establishing position in front of the net, and not being moved away by the opposing defender. He could stand to add more upper body strength, which would even improve this aspect of his game. Trenin’s hockey smarts are very high, and he often makes the smart pass or smart play in the offensive zone.
There are some concerns about Yakov Trenin’s skating ability. His stride is very short and choppy, and his stance is upright. While he generates decent top end speed despite this, it only comes when he is able to build speed over a long distance. His first step and his acceleration need some big improvement. This stride also effects his agility, as he also needs major improvements in this area. He just is not quick in moving side to side and avoiding defenders. Trenin does have good lower body strength and puck protection ability though, and this helps him to win battles along the boards or play the cycle game. A bit of a better skating stance would also improve these areas of his game though.
Yakov Trenin’s defensive game is a bit of a work in progress. The lack of short line speed, but especially quickness can be a real handicap in his own end of the ice. He can be vulnerable to being beat to open ice by quicker opponents. That said, he does bring his grit and physical game in his own end of the rink, which helps along the boards and in clearing loose pucks. His positioning could be improved with some coaching and further adaptation to the smaller North American rinks.
Yakov Trenin has all the skills and ability necessary to develop into a robust power forward and playmaker at the NHL level, but must make some real improvements in his skating in order to reach that potential. While he has played some centre, especially late in the year for Gatineau, I believe that his pro potential will be found on the wing due to the skating issue. His game shows elements of a mix of David Backes and an Alex Tanguay but this is a stylistic comparison only and not a talent one.
Here are some videos of Trenin in action.
Check back tomorrow for another draft prospect.
