As we trek through this offseason and inch closer to the puck being dropped for the 2021-22 NHL regular season, we’re continuing our look at key Nashville Predators prospects.
Next up is the 19th-overall draft pick from the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Fedor Svechkov. A two-way centerman who is lauded for his defensive game, but also brings plenty of solid offensive traits to the table.
Svechkov is currently playing in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, and he’s doing very well out there as they’re in the midst of their preseason. His offensive game is really shining and gaining attention.
SKA St. Petersburg will open up their regular season campaign on September 2 against Severstal, and it will be interesting to see where Svechkov is place in the starting lineup.
The rundown on Nashville Predators 19th-overall pick Fedor Svechkov
Check out this effective skating towards the net that Svechkov displays in KHL action rrecently, courtesy of Dylan Griffing of EP Rinkside:
i had my concerns about Fyodor Svechkov's lack of dynamic offense in his draft year. i'm not saying he's completely refined that aspect of his game, but he's off to a good start. pic.twitter.com/BpsXYPa6eV
— Dylan Griffing (@GriffingDylan) August 19, 2021
That was really the only initial knock on Svechkov is his offensive game possibly being limited for that high of a draft position. He’s wasting no time answering the critics with his play on the ice since being drafted by the Predators.
What you love most about a play like this is Svechkov’s movement towards the goaltender. A power move to the net if you will, and one that nearly created a goal. As stated by Dylan Griffing, Svechkov still has a lot of development left in his offensive game, but he’s showing very promising improvement in this area.
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I know an NHL club located in Nashville, Tennessee that needs so much more of this on their club right now. Watching Svechkov look so comfortable against very high quality competition overseas is a beautiful thing to see.
Svechkov is just 18-years-old and still has some considerable time before he’ll get to the NHL level. He’ll be in the KHL fine-tuning his game for the foreseeable future, but his development should continue at a strong pace while playing out there.
According to Elite Prospects’ 2021 NHL Draft Guide, one of Svechkov’s biggest strengths to his game his playing off the puck. Finding good zones to be in, using his ice vision to anticipate plays and change of possession.
This is a trait that’s pretty amazing to see from such a young prospect. Usually this is something that seems to be learned over time, and the younger ones drafted this early are there due to their raw talent and not so much their hockey IQ.
Svechkov, at least at this early stage in his post-draft development, appears to be yet another solid pick for the Predators in the first round. In 2020 they went with highly-touted goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, and in 2019 they went with Philip Tomasino, who is quickly ascending towards the NHL roster this upcoming season.
Check out Svechkov’s preseason highlights in the KHL, courtesy of спортшкола on YouTube:
This is a really big jump for Svechkov as he continues his playing career in Russia. His most recent playing experience is with Lada Togliatti of the VHL and Ladia Togliatti of the MHL,
a junior hockey league affiliated with the KHL
.
The KHL is one of the best leagues you can ask for in terms of prospects developing their games. Although the playing style and league rules are much different from the NHL, the competition is also much stiffer than you’ll find here in North America.
It’s going to be intriguing to track Svechkov’s progress in a challenging league like the KHL at such a young age. We’ve seen similar paths from other recent draft picks like Egor Afanasyev, Semyon Chistyakov and Yaroslav Askarov.
Good news for the diehard Predators fans who want to track prospects like Svechkov in the KHL; ESPN+ and the KHL have reached an agreement to streak many of their games, including all of their playoffs:
We’ll have to patiently wait for Svechkov’s eventual arrival to the NHL, but it definitely looks like the Nashville Predators front office made a very wise first-round pick in 2021. Early returns are very promising.