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 2018 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.
A first round pick, 49th overall, in the 2016 CHL Import draft Alexander Alexeyev had some issues adjusting to North America in his first season away from home, but still, put up 21 points in 41 games. In his second season with the Red Deer Rebels, he really broke out. He upped his offensive game with seven goals and 37 points in 45 games. He was even better in the WHL Playoffs where he put up five points in just three games. Injuries have been a concern for Alexeyev, as he has missed 58 games during his time in Red Deer, though some of that was attending World Junior Tryout Camps. Knee surgery ended his 2016-17 season in January, and a hand injury cost him several weeks down the stretch this year. There have been some other ailments as well.
Alexeyev has played internationally for Russia both the Under-17 and Under-18 levels. Alexeyev won a silver medal at the 2015-16 U-17 World Hockey Challenge with the Russian Team. He also played at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka tournament.
Alexeyev was drafted third overall in the 2016 KHL Draft by Metallurg Novokuznetsk. His rights have since been traded to Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
Alexander Alexeyev Scouting Report
Defence — shoots Left
Born November 15th, 1999 — St. Petersburg, Russia
Height 6’3″ — Weight 200 lbs [191 cm/91 kg]
Skating
Alexeyev has strong skating ability, with good speed in both directions. He generates that top speed in just a few strides. This ability to get up to speed quickly, both moving forward or backward helps him to transition quickly from offence to defence and vice-versa. Alexeyev also has good edgework, agility and pivots. These also help him play an effective two-way game. Alexeyev has a strong lower body. He has good balance and a powerful stride. He is strong on the puck and wins battles in the corners, as well as clearing the front of the net.
Offensive Game
Alexeyev has good vision and passing skills. He can start the play with a good pass out of his own end, as well as quarterback the play from the blue line. Alexeyev has the skating ability to retrieve dump-ins and loose pucks as well as the poise to move it out of danger in his own end. He can lead the rush but also makes smart passes to get the transition game going. Alexeyev does not force plays. If he is skating up the ice and does not like the way things look, he is not afraid to stop, turn back to his own end and try it again.
Alexeyev also has a hard slap shot but must find a way to get it through to the net and keep it low for teammates to grab deflections and rebounds. He needs to learn to use his agility to create better shooting and passing lanes from the point. When there is no lane there, he keeps the puck moving, and makes the safe play rather than try something creative to generate a scoring chance. When his shot is taken away, Alexeyev needs to do more, both with and without the puck to find open spaces and create shooting angles.
Defensive Game
Alexeyev defends well on the rush, keeping opponents in front of him, and forcing them to the outside. He can throw a big hit when given the opportunity and makes good use of his physical capabilities that way. However, when he is defending in the zone, he can sometimes get himself out of position by looking to be more physical. Alexeyev will need some coaching on his positioning. He needs to be better at cutting down the passing lanes and staying with his man instead of chasing the puck carrier.
Projection and Comparison
Alexeyev does a lot of things well. There are a couple of things he can work on, but most aspects of his game are good. The difficulty here is finding one skill where he will be elite. There is a collection of good tools here, but no great one. Alexeyev projects as a potential second pairing defender, who can play in all situations. In terms of style, Alexeyev’s game is reminiscent of Jonas Brodin, but this is not intended to be a projection of his abilities.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the many highlight packages of Alexeyev that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
KELOWNA, BC – FEBRUARY 14: Alexander Alexeyev #4 of the Red Deer Rebels looks for the pass against the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place on February 14, 2018 in Kelowna, Canada. (Photo by Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
