Welcome back to Top Shelf Prospects, the daily column that brings you the next crop of professional hockey players. Each day I will bring you a new player profile or topical article in the lead-up to the 2020 NHL Draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical and critical profiles and scouting reports! Last Word On Hockey Prospects is your new headquarters for everything “NHL Draft”! We have a complete listing of our draft articles here. Today we look at Alexander Pashin.
Undersized Russian forward Alexander Pashin bounced around a bit this year, but spent the majority of his time with Tolpar Ufa in the MHL. He scored 17 goals and 22 assists for 39 points in 37 games in the Russian Junior league. He also played two games in the VHL for Toros Neftekamsk, picking up one assist. Pashin made his KHL debut, playing one game for Salavat Yulaev Ufa. In four games with Salavat U18 squad, he picked up two assists. He also played 15 games with the Russian Under-18 team, scoring seven goals and 13 points. Pashin was impressive at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup, putting up seven goals and an assist for eight points in five games and winning a gold medal. He also won gold at the World Junior A Championships, where he had four assists in six games.
Last season, Pashin had 10 points in 17 MHL games. He also scored three points in two games in the U18 league and 11 points in eight games in the U17. Pashin scored two goals and five points at the Under-17 WHC, winning another gold medal. He also had three points in three games at the European Youth Olympics.
Alexander Pashin Scouting Report
Right Wing — shoots Left
Born July 28th, 2002 — Priyutovo, Russia
Height 5’8″ — Weight 154 lbs [173 cm/70 kg]
Skating
Undersized, Pashin is a dynamic skater. He has a lightning-quick first step and outstanding acceleration. Pashin wins races to loose pucks and is effective on the forecheck. He also has very good top-end speed. Pashin’s outstanding edge work and agility also help him to evade defenders both with and without the puck. He can turn on a dime and his lateral agility is excellent. His ability to change speeds is also a weapon that can fool defenders. Pashin has a low centre of gravity that improves his balance and helps him to fight for loose pucks. While he is surprisingly good against junior age players, he needs to continue to get stronger to be able to survive in the pro game, especially on North American ice.
Offensive Game
Pashin also brings high-end skill into the equation. His hands are very good and he can make moves while skating at top-end speed. His ability to avoid defenders allows him to skate the puck through the neutral zone and create effective zone entries. As defenders back off to respect his speed, he can use them as a screen, firing a hard wrist shot on the net. Pashin’s quick hands allow him to vary the angles and release points on that shot and fool goaltenders. His shot also has power. His snapshot and one-timer are also effective.
When Pashin drives the net, his quick hands allow him to deke the goaltender and bury the puck upstairs. While his hands are close to elite, there are times he can get into trouble by relying on them too much, as he needs to keep the puck moving to a teammate instead of skating into a situation he can’t get out of.
Pashin is also an excellent playmaker. He can set up teammates with the extra room he gets on the rush. He also can make a quick move to create a passing lane when he is cycling the puck or working off the boards. With excellent vision, he can find open linemates and make a pass through a tight area. He is very good at the saucer pass. Pashin chases loose pucks and is willing to fight for loose pucks but is pushed off the puck easily due to his lack of size.
Defensive Game
Pashin’s defensive game is a work in progress. He often gets caught up ice, leading to odd-man chances against. His size is also a liability, as he can get pushed off the puck and beaten in battles. If his man has the puck, he can steal it with a quick, active stick. His engagement level in his own zone can be improved though, especially away from the puck. Pashin can get caught watching the puck and not moving his feet, allowing his man to get open. He’s also a threat to fly the zone early, looking to create offence if one of his teammates gets the puck.
Projection and Comparison
Pashin is a boom or bust pick. While he has the skill to become a top-six forward, he needs to improve his defensive game. The way he plays right now will drive coaches crazy. He also needs to continue to work on getting stronger, as he needs more muscle on his frame to play pro hockey on North American ice. If he can do that without losing any of his skill and speed, he could be a steal. Pashin reminds me of a smaller version of Jonathan Drouin. This is a stylistic comparison only though and not one based on skill and potential.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Alexander Pashin that are available on youtube and twitter.
Nice sequence on the power play from Rodion Amirov (#27).
He shows off his shiftiness with a quick change of direction to lose an opponent, then enters the Ozone with control and banks a pass to Alexander Pashin who finds an open Danil Alalykin in the slot.#2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/8UHOX1cxrG
— Mathis Desjardins (@m_desjardins00) April 24, 2020
Russia gets one back early in the second period. Alexander Pashin with a wrister through the legs of Hogg. 2-1. #HlinkaGretzkyCup pic.twitter.com/JwkMJP6cwr
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) August 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/DraftDynasty1/status/1160208556257419265
A monster shift from Alexander Pashin.
He's directly involved (shot or shot assist) in four (4!!) scoring opportunities on the same shift.#2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/7293lUnuaU
— Mathis Desjardins (@m_desjardins00) April 25, 2020
Alexander Pashin has his second of the period after sweeping into the slot, losing the puck, re-gaining it and beating Hogg with a nice move. He has shown some good skill today. 2-2. #HlinkaGretzkyCup pic.twitter.com/G4en9YVbyl
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) August 5, 2019
Alexander Pashin gets his second goal of the game to put Russia up 3-1 halfway through the third. #HlinkaGretzkyCup pic.twitter.com/wU99P1HIZc
— Caitlin Berry (@caitlinsports) August 10, 2019
What a game for Alexander Pashin. Scores twice, then sets up this play for Pavel Tyutnev, who scores an absolutely beautiful goal. 3-2 Russia after trailing 2-0. #HlinkaGretzkyCup pic.twitter.com/xFqfqNzKh1
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) August 5, 2019
I really like Alexander Pashin's game!
Here he controls the zone entry, curls back and attacks the slot. He loses the puck but then fades to the backside and attacks the net to bang in the rebound.
But remember, he's too small and won't be able to get to the net. #2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/sz5PrwwFXN
— Tony Ferrari (@theTonyFerrari) April 16, 2020
Flipping over to Ufa/Chelyabinsk, 2020 eligible Alexander Pashin had a nice play here to set up the game-tying goal, and not a moment too soon.
Also Twitter, please bring back video clipping. pic.twitter.com/WVrHzuMIBf
— Will Scouch (@Scouching) September 6, 2019
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Alexander Pashin Main Photo:
SILVER FOR CANADA: A late push from Canada wasn’t enough as
they fall 3-2 in the finals at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.Russia’s Alexander Pashin led the way with two goals. https://t.co/f02EbHYE4h #TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/xZ65temaSg
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) August 10, 2019
