With the Detroit Red Wings out of things playoff-wise for the first time in a quarter-century, the team has called up one of its prime prospects from the Grand Rapids Griffins for a taste of the NHL.
Svechnikov expected to make NHL debut for #RedWings tonight vs. @Senators
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) April 3, 2017
Evgeny Svechnikov will be the 32nd skater used by the Red Wings this season and the 20th forward. He joins Anthony Mantha, Dylan Larkin, and Riley Sheahan, Mike Green and Niklas Kronwall as the only first round picks on the roster.
Evgeny Svechnikov Recalled, Will Make NHL Debut for Detroit Red Wings
From the Griffins, Svechnikov brings an impressive start to his professional career across the state. His 44 points rank sixth among all rookies and 18 goals places his in the top ten among first-year players. On the league’s second-most potent power play, (25.4%), he’s supplied five goals using his big frame (6’2″, 199 lbs) and potent wrister.
Blashill said Svechnikov will play on line with Larkin and Abdelkader. #RedWings
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) April 3, 2017
Blashill’s thought process on this line is likely to get Svechnikov settled with a speedy playmaker in Larkin, skating the best he’s skated this season, and have him be protected by Abdelkader. The 20-year old has been noted to mix it up a bit in addition to scoring, totaling 167 penalty minutes in two QMJHL seasons and 56 already in the AHL this season. Noted as a pure goal scorer and the most enticing thing that motivated Detroit to draft him 19th overall in 2015, Svechnikov before turning pro had back-to-back 32-goal seasons in the QMJHL for Cape Brenton. He was a point-per-game player in their playoff run last season scoring four goals and 15 points in 13 contests.
It will be intriguing to see tonight versus the Senators how open he will be able to get to use his patented wrister. There will be nerves, and it may not be for long, however, as Drew Miller is day-to-day with the flu. He may stay for just one game. With Larkin, both will be able to use their speed to create some chances, and the Senators are currently without their top defensive pair in Marc Methot and Erik Karlsson, so there will be some inexperience both ways. There should be favorable conditions tonight for the Russian sniper’s debut with the chance to play spoiler against a team currently three points ahead of Tampa Bay in the second wild card.
Svechnikov is up on emergency recall because Miller has flu. #RedWings have one remaining regular recall.
— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) April 3, 2017
Here’s a sample of what Svechnikov has done in the AHL:
Evgeny Svechnikov Goal Thread in 3…2…1 pic.twitter.com/lCNs3O6iaz
— LastWordOnRedWings (@LWOS_RedWings) April 3, 2017
— LastWordOnRedWings (@LWOS_RedWings) April 3, 2017
— LastWordOnRedWings (@LWOS_RedWings) April 3, 2017
For more on the inside edge in scouting Svechnikov’s game, here is a sample from Last Word On Hockey Prospect Guru Ben Kerr from the 2015 NHL Draft:
“[Svechnikov] shows off an outstanding wrist shot and release. He also has an impressive snap shot and a very hard one-timer. When it comes to his shooting arsenal, Svechnikov has pro-ready skills. However, he is not just a one-trick pony as Svechnikov also has excellent vision and passing ability. He is a strong skater with very good speed and acceleration. He loves to drive the net and can finish in close when he gets there. He shows high-end offensive hockey IQ, making very smart plays with the puck on his stick and finding openings in the defense without it. Svechnikov needs to work on his defensive game. He gets himself out of position and leaves the opposing team with passing lanes on a regular basis.”
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