C Alexander Khovanov - Metallurg Zhlobin, Belarus (2018, 86th, MIN released)

[16thOverallSaveUs]

Interesting take, doesn't sound like a prospect whose game will translate to the pro game.

I’m afraid it won’t. His skill is high-end, playmaking ability is elite. That being said, doesn’t have great pace, average skating, and doesn’t seem to be a team player(from what others are saying)

 

[TopC0rner]

I’m afraid it won’t. His skill is high-end, playmaking ability is elite. That being said, doesn’t have great pace, average skating, and doesn’t seem to be a team player(from what others are saying)

Skill is something you can't teach. Improving his pace and being more disciplined on the ice can improve as the players become more mature.

Also, due to health issues, he missed some development time compared to his draft class. He's not a slam-dunk but having his skillset is a good start. I think the Wild has time for him.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Skill is something you can't teach. Improving his pace and being more disciplined on the ice can improve as the players become more mature.

Also, due to health issues, he missed some development time compared to his draft class. He's not a slam-dunk but having his skillset is a good start. I think the Wild has time for him.

Yes we do.

 

[nbwingsfan]

I agree with others here that I can’t see much of an NHL future for him.
He’s VERY easily thrown off of his game and other than being a great playmaker on the pp, I don’t see any elite abilities in him.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Players mature and we could use some talent on the PP.

 

[tealhockey]

I thought he was a captain back when he played with Svechnikov. Might be wrong, might be meaningless either way

 

[57special]

he's a 3rd rounder...any NHL time MN gets from him is gravy.

 

[Captain Clutch]

He's a legit NHL prospect, don't let the naysayers convince you otherwise. Despite being somewhat undisciplined, he has elite playmaking skill, something Minnesota has virtually none of, resulting in Khovanov being awarded his ELC this year. Don't be surprised to see him in the NHL sooner rather than later. It's true that his skating is only average but it doesn't hold him back in the least and he has improved over the past two seasons. Khovanov's game is more important to Pelletier than the reverse, not to take anything away from Pelletier who is as determined a player as you will see.

 

[DANOZ28]

jeez how does anybody know if he will or wont be an nhl'r? we don't. as long as he keep progressing why worry.

 

[wings5]

The thing is Minnesota had a player with elite playmaking and average skating in Mikael Granlund, and he did okay. Alot will depend on Khovanov's discipline and work ethic . Issue is Minnesota has been very poor in prospect development recently. They are even scratching their young prospects for AHL vets with no NHL future. Shows they value winning over player development.

 

[Dr Jan Itor]

Honestly, I can handle the odd bad penalty. We just need some guys that actually look comfortable with the puck on their stick.

 

[Caser]

 

[Kshahdoo]

What a selfish goal! People are obviously right about him. And he really can't skate.

 

[wein]

He had 3 points in the game and was first star. The most surprising thing to me is that he was on the penalty kill.

Moncton was playing Sherbrooke (who are ranked as the number one team in the CHL currently) so it was good competition. Moncton is a really strong team too, I personally think in the top 3 in the Q with Cape Breton and Sherbrooke.

 

[57special]

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Kshahdoo]

Oh well, his skating is geting worse and worse with each new game, but he still leads his team in scoring. That Pelletier guy is so selfless, he looks like values Khovanov's scoring above his own.

 

[WildWillie]

Oh well, his skating is geting worse and worse with each new game, but he still leads his team in scoring. That Pelletier guy is so selfless, he looks like values Khovanov's scoring above his own.

Khovanov's skating looks like it has improved some this year. I think that combined with the fact he is skating much harder as well. He always plays with passion/emotion but it now seems to be channeled towards things that help the team win and not taking dumb penalties. I think some people labeled him a bad skater (including myself) when he was coming back from his illness 2 years ago and took much of the season and maybe some of the next to get back to peek playing shape.

Credit the new coach a lot, because he seems to have had a real positive effect on Khovanov's play. He looks like a leader and someone having a lot of fun out there.

 

[Mrb1p]

Feels good to see him do this good after a slow start. Hopefully it keeps up and he becomes a great Wild because I put a lot of stock into him in 2018.

 

[Kshahdoo]

2+2 in 4-3 win over the QMJHL team. Zavgorodniy with 2+1. They are both so much of the product of their CHL linemates...

 

[puckMAN]

Was AK centering Zavgorodniy & Sokolov?

 

[Tube Skates]

Great game. Certainly in the right spot at the right time a lot tonight

 

[Kshahdoo]

Was AK centering Zavgorodniy & Sokolov?

Yeah.




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[Kshahdoo]