StevenToddIves
Registered User
LD Daniil Orlov, Sakhalinskiye MHL (STI Ranking #94, McKenzie: Not Ranked)
The best place to find under-the-radar defenders -- both this year and pretty much for the past half-decade -- has been in the MHL. 2022 is no different, with myriad great prospects who could be available even later in the draft than usual, due to the New Russian Factor and the difficulty of scouting the league this year.
In Orlov, you have everything you want for a future potential bottom-4 stalwart. He's a projectable 6'2-180 and is an elite skater. While many 6'0+ defenders his age have a very difficult time defending against speed, with Orlov this is not a problem. Orlov is silky on his skates, gliding up and down the ice and able to quickly maneuver with strong 4-way mobility.
Defense is the hallmark of Orlov's game. He's strong pretty much in all facets of his defensive game: one-on-one, gaps, positioning, stick activity, anticipation, you name it. I really don't see a weakness which would inhibit his ability to transition to the NHL, and when that is combined with his size and mobility you have an extremely high-floor defenseman, especially considering his likely draft position as late as the 4th/5th rounds.
Offensively and with the puck, Orlov is an A-B-C defenseman: protect against offense, attain the puck, release the puck. He's not creative or flashy, but with his simple style of play, it is very effective. If Orlov does not immediately see a safe pass on the outlet, he'll chip the puck up the boards. If Orlov does not see a clear entry, he'll dump in. In the offensive zone, he's an efficient enough passer to find the open man and hit them, but his overwhelming preference is to just fire the puck. Orlov's greatest singular skill is certainly his shot -- it's a real bomb from the point. I'd say he has double-digit goal potential at the NHL level, though I don't foresee him ever becoming a 40+ point guy due to the simplicity of his game.
There's nothing not to like here. Orlov is a strong defender who can positively affect your team in all three zones without blowing the doors off in terms of offensive danger. He'll be a high value pick anywhere after the mid-3rd round. This is a very good hockey player.
The best place to find under-the-radar defenders -- both this year and pretty much for the past half-decade -- has been in the MHL. 2022 is no different, with myriad great prospects who could be available even later in the draft than usual, due to the New Russian Factor and the difficulty of scouting the league this year.
In Orlov, you have everything you want for a future potential bottom-4 stalwart. He's a projectable 6'2-180 and is an elite skater. While many 6'0+ defenders his age have a very difficult time defending against speed, with Orlov this is not a problem. Orlov is silky on his skates, gliding up and down the ice and able to quickly maneuver with strong 4-way mobility.
Defense is the hallmark of Orlov's game. He's strong pretty much in all facets of his defensive game: one-on-one, gaps, positioning, stick activity, anticipation, you name it. I really don't see a weakness which would inhibit his ability to transition to the NHL, and when that is combined with his size and mobility you have an extremely high-floor defenseman, especially considering his likely draft position as late as the 4th/5th rounds.
Offensively and with the puck, Orlov is an A-B-C defenseman: protect against offense, attain the puck, release the puck. He's not creative or flashy, but with his simple style of play, it is very effective. If Orlov does not immediately see a safe pass on the outlet, he'll chip the puck up the boards. If Orlov does not see a clear entry, he'll dump in. In the offensive zone, he's an efficient enough passer to find the open man and hit them, but his overwhelming preference is to just fire the puck. Orlov's greatest singular skill is certainly his shot -- it's a real bomb from the point. I'd say he has double-digit goal potential at the NHL level, though I don't foresee him ever becoming a 40+ point guy due to the simplicity of his game.
There's nothing not to like here. Orlov is a strong defender who can positively affect your team in all three zones without blowing the doors off in terms of offensive danger. He'll be a high value pick anywhere after the mid-3rd round. This is a very good hockey player.
