{"id":129912,"date":"2022-06-19T09:00:18","date_gmt":"2022-06-19T13:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=129912"},"modified":"2025-10-10T22:52:23","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T02:52:23","slug":"vladimir-grudinin-scouting-report-2022-nhl-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022\/06\/19\/vladimir-grudinin-scouting-report-2022-nhl-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"Vladimir Grudinin Scouting Report: 2022 NHL Draft #49"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em><strong>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,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/lastwordbkerr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">follow me on Twitter<\/a>, 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 \u201cNHL Draft\u201d! We have a complete listing of our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2022-nhl-entry-draft-headquarters\/\" target=\"_self\">draft articles here<\/a>. Today we bring you our Vladimir Grudinin Scouting Report.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-106095 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2021\/04\/TSPLogo-300x80.png\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2021\/04\/TSPLogo-300x80.png 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2021\/04\/TSPLogo-768x204.png 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/11\/2021\/04\/TSPLogo.png 1024w\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"80\">Playing in the CSKA Moscow system, defenceman Vladimir Grudinin split time between the three major Russian leagues this year. He got in some time for the main KHL club, but in the games he did play, his ice time was limited. Grudinin had one assist in six regular-season games. He also played in seven playoff games as CSKA won the Gagarin Cup.\u00a0 Grudinin also spent time in Russia&#8217;s second division, the VHL. In 12 games he scored one goal and two assists for three points. Playing against his age group in the MHL or Russian Junior League, Grudinin was dominant. He scored two goals and 13 points in 18 games. However, his play tailed off in the playoffs where he picked up just one assist in eight games.<\/p>\n<p>Grudinin has spent plenty of time with the Russian junior teams. He won a silver medal at the 2021 IIHF Under-18 World Championships. Grudinin scored one goal and five points in seven games. He also played for Russia in the 2019-20 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. He helped the Russian team win the gold medal. Grudinin also made the World Junior Team this year but the tournament was cut short due to COVID.<\/p>\n<h2>Vladimir Grudinin Scouting Report<\/h2>\n<p>Left Defence &#8212; shoots Left<br \/>\nBorn December 9th, 2003 &#8212; Angarsk, Russia<br \/>\nHeight 5&#8217;10&#8221; &#8212; Weight 158 lbs\u00a0[178 cm\/72 kg]<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/widgets.eliteprospects.com\/iframe_player_stats.php?player=651884\" width=\"700\" height=\"450\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"yes\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h3>Skating<\/h3>\n<p>In order for an undersized defenceman to succeed in the NHL, he will need to be a dynamic skater. This is certainly the case for Grudinin. His stride is powerful. While his top-end speed is merely slightly above average, Grudinin excels in all other areas of his skating. His first few steps and acceleration are very good, allowing him to win races to loose pucks. His ability to quickly change speeds is also a weapon when he is carrying the puck. It can fool opponents and allow Grudinin to create space. Grudinin also has elite edge work and agility. His mobility in all directions is outstanding. His strong crossovers allow him to move laterally. This helps him to walk the line and create passing and shooting lanes in the offensive zone. It also allows him to maintain good gap control.<\/p>\n<p>Grudinin&#8217;s size is still a liability though. He has a low centre of gravity which helps. However, he really needs to put muscle on his frame. Grudinin can be overpowered by opponents in battles along the boards and in front of the net. He will need to bulk up significantly to play his style of game and be successful against men.<\/p>\n<h3>Offensive Game<\/h3>\n<p>Grudinin marries his skating with excellent puck control. This allows him to avoid forecheckers and skate the puck out of the defensive zone. He is also able to lead the rush and carry the puck through the neutral zone. Grudinin finds open space and generates efficient zone entries. Once there, he sets up on the blue line and can quarterback the play. He is poised with the puck, slowing things down as needed and finding the right play. He can move well laterally as well as make quick dekes with his soft hands. This helps Grudinin open up passing and shooting lanes. Once a teammate gets open, he can feather a pass through a tight passing lane. He can also throw a tape-to-tape saucer pass.<\/p>\n<p>Grudinin loves to create offence by pinching in at the blue line. He keeps pucks in at the line and keeps possession in the offensive zone alive. He does not have the hardest point shot, but Grudinin gets it off quickly. He also does a good job of keeping the shot low and allowing his teammates to get in front of the net for screens, deflections, and rebounds. Grudinin likes to sneak in from the point and fire a wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circles. This helps him to be more effective as a goal scorer.<\/p>\n<h3>Defensive Game<\/h3>\n<p>Grudinin&#8217;s effort level in the defensive zone can not be questioned. He works extremely hard, maintaining good gap control and forcing opponents to the outside and away from dangerous scoring areas. He does a very good job of cutting down passes through the middle of the ice. Grudinin also has a quick stick that can poke check the puck away from an opponent. When a turnover is created, he is quick to transition up the ice. However, the lack of size is still an issue here. He can be pushed around by opponents. Grudinin has issues winning battles along the boards and in front of the net. He will need to add muscle to improve in these areas. That said, even with the added muscle, his lack of size and strength will always be an issue.<\/p>\n<h3>Projection and Comparison<\/h3>\n<p>Grudinin is the classic boom or bust prospect. At just 158 pounds, he is extremely undersized. There are questions if he will maintain his dynamic skating as he adds more muscle. Even then, he will always be undersized. There continue to be questions if his game will translate to the NHL. If he is able to transition effectively to the North American pro game, Grudinin would be a steal. His ability to create offence on the power play as well as at even strength is outstanding for his age. Grudinin is a bit of a long-term project as he is signed to play in Russia through the 2023-24 season. His game is reminiscent of Tyson Barrie. This is a stylistic comparison only though, and not one based on skill and ability.<\/p>\n<h3>Highlights<\/h3>\n<p>The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Vladimir Grudinin that are available on youtube and Twitter.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Vladimir Grudinin #98 | Shifts | (21\/22) | 2022 NHL Draft\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/k5tQ8RJVDXg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Russia gets within one on the PP.<\/p>\n<p>Bit of chaos in front and Michkov and Vladimir Grudinin work together to make it happen. 4-3. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/U18Worlds?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#U18Worlds<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/frIrsE8aNr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/frIrsE8aNr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SEllisHockey\/status\/1390504211813646336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 7, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Watching Vladimir Grudinin is just fun.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#39;s some Antonio Stranges-esque skating. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GcVniLqVF0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/GcVniLqVF0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Sebastian High (@high_sebastian) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/high_sebastian\/status\/1536760173796003840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 14, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Vladimir Grudinin is fun. Lures the attacker in to buy himself space and then fires a saucer pass to his teammate at the opposite half-wall.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/2022NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#2022NHLDraft<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QhrBV4zEOM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/QhrBV4zEOM<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Josh Tessler (@JoshTessler_) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JoshTessler_\/status\/1516607971769339908?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 20, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Fun fact: Vladimir Grudinin is the only first-time <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/2022NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#2022NHLDraft<\/a> eligible to record a point in the KHL this season. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/PaMGVxMC18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/PaMGVxMC18<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; dylan griffing (@GriffingDylan) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GriffingDylan\/status\/1480297606907666433?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">January 9, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Vladimir Grudinin wins it for Russia in OT. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/U17fi?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#U17fi<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/o73wzp3flr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/o73wzp3flr<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Lassi Alanen (@lassialanen) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/lassialanen\/status\/1159874736769445890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 9, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">AFTER REVIEW<br \/>\ud83d\udea8 Vladimir Grudinin OT Winner<br \/>2-1 Russia &#39;B&#39;<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SochiHockeyOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#SochiHockeyOpen<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BzlubhUIxQ\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/BzlubhUIxQ<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Fuck Dave Portnoy \u2b07\ufe0f (@TheReplayGuy) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheReplayGuy\/status\/1424344615503736834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 8, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Vladimir Grudinin (2022) gets one back for Krasnaya. Real nice shot from the defenseman <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/2022NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#2022NHLDraft<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MHL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#MHL<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6ReVjL3Mt7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/6ReVjL3Mt7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Spoked Z (@SpokedZ) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SpokedZ\/status\/1443961362875658250?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 1, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Check back tomorrow for our latest 2022 NHL Draft Article.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Vladimir Grudinin Scouting Report Main Photo:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Vladimir Grudinin (LHD, CSKA) Scouting Report<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JoshTessler_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@JoshTessler_<\/a> takes an in-depth look at Grudinin in his latest report. He raves about his ability to manipulate attackers when looking to net open ice and his acceleration to net separation.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/2022NHLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#2022NHLDraft<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/O7PRiK6pYB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/O7PRiK6pYB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Smaht Scouting (@SmahtScouting) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SmahtScouting\/status\/1519861207116693515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 29, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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,\u00a0follow me on Twitter, and spread the word for the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":129916,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2,3271,4547,2003,1279,3462],"tags":[5853,515,475,2148,298,7318],"class_list":["post-129912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-european-leagues","category-hockey","category-khl","category-nhl-draft","category-nhl-prospects","tag-2022-nhl-draft","tag-cska-moscow","tag-nhl-prospects","tag-scouting-reports","tag-top-shelf-prospects","tag-vladimir-grudinin"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129912","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=129912"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129912\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":475618,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/129912\/revisions\/475618"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/129916"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=129912"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=129912"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=129912"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}