Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Alexander Perevalov Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #34

Alexander Pervalov Scouting Report

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 2022 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 bring you our Alexander Perevalov Scouting Report. 

Alexander Perevalov started his draft season helping Russia to a gold medal at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. He put up three goals and two assists for five points in the five-game tournament. He is playing in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl system. Perevalov’s contract runs through the end of the 2023-24 season. He spent most of this past season in the MHL, Russia’s under-20 league. He scored 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points in 42 games. Perevalov added three goals and an assist for four points in nine playoff games. He also earned a callup to the KHL. As a young player Perevalov didn’t get a lot of ice time though. He was held scoreless in five KHL games.

In 2020-21, Perevalov split time between three different Russian junior leagues. He played nine games in the NMHL, the second division of Russian U20 leagues, and scored two goals and two assists for four points. He also played 17 games in the MHL, scoring four goals and two assists for six points. Perevalov started the year in the Russian Under-17 league, he put up four goals and seven assists for 11 points in six games.

Alexander Perevalov Scouting Report

Left Wing — shoots Right
Born April 16th, 2004 — Mezhdurechensk, Russia
Height 6’0″ — Weight 191 lbs [183 cm/87 kg]

Skating

Perevalov plays a 200-foot game and this is based on his excellent skating ability. He has a very good stride and this allows him to push the pace offensively as well as get back to his own zone on the backcheck. He has a great first step and excellent acceleration. His top speed is also outstanding and this makes him a real threat on the rush. He can get behind the defence for a breakaway. Perevalov can also change speeds to fool defenders. Once he gets a step on his man, he drops the shoulder and can cut to the net.

Perevalov also has very good edgework and agility. This allows him to weave through opponents when attacking as well as to maintain good gap control in his own end. He is a nightmare to defend in one-on-one situations. Perevalov’s speed forces defenders to back off. He can use the defender as a screen and fire a shot on the net. This also opens passing lanes on the rush. Perevalov could stand to add lower-body strength though. This will make him more effective in battling on the boards and in front of the net.

Offensive Game

Perevalov is a pure sniper. He has an excellent array of shots. Perevalov can score with his powerful wrist shots, snapshots, as well as his slap shots and one-timers. He has a quick release. With his quick hands, he can execute a toe-drag and release the puck from a different angle as well. This creates real issues for goalies who are often fooled by the release. Perevalov can also score in tight to the net. He has soft hands and can dangle a goalie and elevate the puck in tight. He also can score on rebounds, quick one-timers, and deflections in tight to the net. As he gets stronger, he should even get better in these areas.

Perevalov is also a strong stick handler. Combined with his strong skating, this helps him to carry the puck through the neutral zone and efficiently create zone entries. He carries the puck through the neutral zone, weaving through traffic and gaining the line with ease. Perevalov is also a very good passer. He makes tape-to-tape passes to teammates and sets them up for good scoring opportunities. There are some questions about his decision-making and vision though. Perevalov could move the puck quicker on occasions. He sometimes lets an opportunity pass by because he doesn’t move it quickly enough.

Defensive Game

Perevalov is a good defensive player. His junior coaches and national team coaches use him on the penalty kill. He uses his quickness and anticipation to cut down passing and shooting lanes and create turnovers. Once a turnover is created, he is quick to make a pass or skate the puck out of the zone in order to transition into offence. Perevalov is also willing to play a physical game. He fights for loose pucks along the boards and lends support down low against the cycle game. Perevalov is very smart positionally. He reads the play extremely well and anticipates what opponents will try before they do it. He also brings his high-end work ethic in all three zones.

Projection and Comparison

Perevalov has the ability to become a top-six NHL winger if he reaches his potential. There are some questions around his vision and decision-making and he will need to continue to work in those areas. Another major question surrounds his contract status. The fact that he is signed through 2024 as well as the situation with Russia-Ukraine right now add to the risk. That said, he has the skills that could make him worth the gamble for an NHL team. Perevalov’s game is reminiscent of Justin Williams. This is a stylistic comparison only though. It is not representative of his skill and ability.

Highlights

The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Alexander Perevalov that are available on youtube and Twitter.

 

 

Check back tomorrow for our latest 2022 NHL Draft Article.

 

Alexander Perevalov Scouting Report Main Photo:

Ben Kerr

Ben Kerr

Ben is a credentialed sports writer from just outside Toronto, Canada. A lawyer, he has a highly analytical approach to writing. Ben is the COO of Last Word On Sports INC. Most of his writing can be found in the hockey department, though he follows and writes on other sports as well.

Share:

More Posts

Send Us A Message