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 2019 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 Russian forward Pavel Dorofeyev.
18-year-old Pavel Dorofeyev was able to earn KHL minutes this year. As a young player with Metallurg Magnitogorsk, he received limited ice time and put up just one goal and one assist in 23 games. He also played in four playoff games but did not register a point. He also appeared in three games at the Spengler Cup. While he has struggled in KHL action, which is not unusual for such a young player, it is also clear that he has outgrown the Russian junior leagues. In 19 games of MHL action, Dorofeyev scored 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points. He also added two points in three playoff games.
Dorofeyev has represented Russia on the international stage. At the 2018 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, he put up two goals and two assists for four points in five tournament games. He also played in some exhibition games with the World Junior team but did not make the roster for this year’s tournament.
Pavel Dorofeyev Scouting Report
Right Wing/Left Wing — Shoots Left
Born October 26th, 2000 — Nizhny Tagil, Russia
Height 6’0″ — Weight 163 lbs (184 cm / 74 kg)
Skating
Dorofeyev is a decent skater but could improve in key areas. His top end speed is good enough to keep up with the play but he is not a speedster who can blow past his opponents. While his acceleration is good, he needs work on his first few steps. Dorofeyev could work on his skating technique to become more explosive. One area that he excels is in his pivots and edgework. Dorofeyev is very shifty and able to beat defenders with quick dekes and changes of direction. He seems to have good balance given the fact that he lacks muscle mass at this point. As he adds to his frame, this should improve his strength on the puck and help him in battles.
Offensive Game
Dorofeyev is a very creative winger. He has outstanding hands and is very difficult to defend in one-on-one situations, both off the rush and in the cycle game. His quick dekes, changes of directions, and ability to change angles with the puck opens up passing and shooting lanes. Dorofeyev has very good vision and passing skills and can be a playmaker from the wing. He works the half-boards on the power play controlling the play and setting up teammates. He is also willing to battle along the boards and fight for loose pucks. He is also willing to take the puck to the dirty areas of the ice. However, Dorofeyev will need to get stronger in order to play this game at the next level.
Dorofeyev could stand to improve the power on his shots and this is something that may come with continued upper body development. At the junior level, his quick release and outstanding accuracy have made him a scoring threat. The shot does need more power to beat pro goalies consistently though. Dorofeyev has the soft hands to finish in close to the net as well. He is a smart player who is able to create space with the puck on his stick and can find open spaces to take a pass when he does not have it.
Defensive Game
Dorofeyev is committed to playing in his own end. He does a very good job of cutting down passing lanes. His stick is very quick and he is always a threat to steal the puck off the opponent or intercept a pass. He is also not afraid to get involved in battles in front of the net or along the boards for loose pucks. However, he again has issues with bigger opponents as he needs to add muscle to his frame.
Projection and Comparison
Dorofeyev shows real offensive skill and has the potential to become a top six forward. Some concerns are the lack of explosiveness in his skating as well as the lack of power in his shots. These are fixable issues though, and if he can improve these areas, he could be dynamic at the next level. In terms of style, his game is comparable to Filip Forsberg, but this is not a comparison of skill or ability.
Highlights
The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Pavel Dorofeyev that are available on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the next prospect on our draft board.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA February 4th, 2019: HC Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s Pavel Dorofeyev (R) and Viktor Antipin celebrate scoring in their 2018/19 KHL Regular Season ice hockey match against HC Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg at Uralets Arena. Donat Sorokin/TASS (Photo by Donat SorokinTASS via Getty Images)
