Mikhail Sergachev Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #10

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Mikhail Sergachev was part of the Russian team that won the Gold Medal at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge last year. After being selected sixth overall in the CHL Import Draft, and crossing the pond to play for the Windsor Spitfires, he was also selected to play on Team Orr at the CHL Top Prospects Game. Sergachev had a strong game that night, impressing with his two way play. In his time with the Spitfires, Sergachev has put up 17 goals and 57 points in 67 games this season. He also added two goals and five points in five playoff games. Sergachev represented Team Russia at last year’s IIHF Under 18 World Championships, and has also been named to represent Russia in this year’s tournament in North Dakota. By virtue of the fact that he has been playing in Windsor, Sergachev was able to avoid being implicated in the recent meldomium scandal affecting the Russian U18 team.

Mikhail Sergachev Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #10

Defense — shoots Left
Born Jun 25 1998 — Nizhnekamsk, Russia
Height 6’03” — Weight 206 lbs [191 cm/93 kg]

Mikhail Sergachev can do it all in both ends of the rink. He is good with the puck on his stick, showing stickhandling poise and great passing skill. He effectively starts the rush with good breakout passes, and can also break down the defence with good passes on the power play. He has high-end hockey IQ, and makes the smart play with the puck on his stick. Sergachev has a strong slap shot and an effective wrist shot, both of which he can use to score from the blueline. He keeps the puck low and gets it on net, even through heavy traffic, allowing his teammates to set-up screens, get tip-ins, and pounce on rebounds. Sergachev’s offensive game is among the best of any blueliner in this draft class, and he could be a power play quarterback in the NHL in just a few short years.

Sergachev is a very good skater. He has the speed and acceleration necessary to join the rush and create offence in transition, as well as recover defensively if he gets caught. His excellent agility allows him to walk the line and open up passing and shooting lanes. Sergachev shows good strength on the puck and wins battles along the boards, and in front of the net due to his strong balance and good lower body strength. He will need to get even stronger going forward though, if he is to play a similar style of game against men.

Sergachev is also a big body on the backend who plays good defence with a physical edge. He keeps his man to the outside, is strong on the boards and in front of the net, and generally plays strong in his own end. However, there are times when he could work better in front of his own net. He can sometimes lose his man in coverage, and will need to work on this going forward. He also has had a few off nights over the course of the year, and could stand to be more consistent on a night-in, night-out basis.

It will certainly take some time, and some development before Sergachev is NHL ready. However, if he can gain muscle mass – and learn to be more consistent in his own end – Sergachev could be a franchise defenceman. Sergachev’s style is similar to Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning, but this is a style comparison only, and not one based on talent level.

Below is a compiliation of Mikhail Sergachev highlights available on youtube.