LT
Global Moderator
- Jul 23, 2010
- 41,705
- 13,193
[NHL]831008[/NHL]
[nhl]830976[/nhl]
[nhl]831005[/nhl]
Bill Placzek said:Pro-style wing whose powerful legs get him to the front. Has shown his superiority, starting in the Five Nations Tourney, by making plays and taking shots while completely covered due to the size and hands. Terrific heavy shot and quick release. Strong board player and and on the cycle. Plays a 200 foot game with strong defensive commitment. Potentially a top end pro-style wing prospect who gets most boxes checked in terms of size, skill, skating, hockey sense, hands and power. His powerful stride makes him almost unstoppable as he goes were he pleases and can release his cannon shots while defenders attempt to drape themselves on him. Strong three zone player who is very responsible on the back check. Owns the wall and his powerful stride lets him bull his way towards the net and unleash the puck while in full-flight. Was the biggest standout in the World Junior A Challenge were he was dangerous on most of his shifts.
The Hockey Writers said:A winger with good size and smooth hands, in other years Guryanov would have been considered a much more valuable prospect. With the Russian Factor, similar players usually get drafted in the lower rounds, especially if they are yet to significantly play in the KHL. A good example of this is Alexey Marchenko, drafted only during the seventh round. Guryanov hails from Togliatti, a Russian city on the Volga with strong hockey traditions, that produced a number of NHL players like Alexey Emelin, Alex Kovalev, Viktor Kozlov, and Ilya Bryzgalov. The 6’2″, 185 lbs. winger spent his whole career playing within the Lada system, and since his early years he earned a good name scoring goals. He is also a regular with Team Russia of ’97-born players, where he always played a prominent role, scoring many goals there too.
Guryanov is a natural goal scorer who can crash the net or create goal chances with his technique and skating abily. His quick release allows him to be a real threat whenever is on the ice, and his size allows him to win board battles and have some physical edge on his game. He tries hard on defense, but can improve his own-zone game.
The Draft Analyst said:The seemingly pervasive fear within North American hockey circles regarding Russian-trained draft eligibles is kind of 1980’s, no? You would think the Red Wings under Neil Smith’s guidance put that sort of concern to bed in 1989. Hearing the term “Russian factor†should be nails to a chalkboard for outside-the-box thinkers, and its ad nauseum usage is nothing more than passive xenophobia. There is no “Russian factor†if a GM is a good salesman. Worrying about whether or not a player will cross the pond to play for them says more about the guys running the team than the player they’re scared of drafting. Besides, a team is more likely to get a KHL prospect suited up and ready for the NHL faster than most NCAA picks, who stay in college for four years and at least a full season in the AHL. Russian players want to play in both the KHL and NHL. The sooner teams realize that, the sooner stud prospects like Denis Guryanov will be valued the way he should be — as one of the best players available in this draft of any national origin. He’s dominated practically every international tournament he’s participated in, using physicality, speed and a world class shot to make quite a name for himself.
He’s usually the most skilled player on the ice at any given time. Guryanov has an excellent shot and release; he’s most certainly a natural goal scorer who is very clever around the net. His release is lightning quick and can also fire off a pretty wicked backhander off the rush. Guryanov is also super competitive and plays with a strong desire to win and be the best. He uses his powerful leg drive and upper body strength to deliver solid body checks, but he can also dominate a cycle by protecting the puck with a long reach and sound positioning. He’s shown flashes of being a playmaker, but he can also over-handle the puck and make questionable decisions. Like most offensive forwards, his commitment to the defensive zone is a work in progress, but he’s always involved in the play and does not shy away from the dirty areas in either zone. Projects to be a top-six scoring forward who can be used in either special teams situations. A first-round lottery talent for sure.
DefendingBigD said:Guryanov is an extremely talented forward who is very happy to use his body to brutalise opponents, though he can get too enthuastic with his body checks. He's an extremely good skater, especially for his size. He also has very good playmaking skills and also a quick accurate shot.
There are issues over his commitment to defence, whether this is just because he is a Russian or not is another debate entirely. The idea he can be 'lazy' isn't uncommon in scouting reports though most of them also say that it isn't a constant issue.
When he does commit to backchecking he can match the vast majority of goal scoring wingers when it comes to his defensive game.
He is sometimes guilty of leaving his own zone too soon in order to be right on the point for the breakout pass and the potential one on one with the goalie.
It's obvious though that his offensive game is going to be his main focus, he could be a top six offensive winger who can play a decent defensive game. He's got the frame to become a power forward and his general instinct and play points towards this being the style of game that he will play.
His game is much more North American than European, he is very willing to go directly to the net and use his size to dominate his opposition while also using his speed to get past defenders.
Interestingly a common comparison for Guryanov is Valeri Nichushkin, they both play similar games and both have lots of potential.
Last Word On Sports said:Big, powerful, fast, skilled, Denis Guryanov has each box checked when it comes to talent amongst forward prospects. He scores goals, and can do it in a variety of ways. Guryanov has the strength to drive the net, battle in the corners, fight through checks and score gritty power forward-style goals. He is exceptional in board battles, digging out loose pucks consistently, and is a menace on the boards. Guryanov also protects the puck extremely well in the cycle game, extending zone time and increasing possession for his club. He also has a heavy wrist shot with quick release, allowing him to fool goaltenders and score from further out. Guryanov adds the quick hands necessary to deke past defenders and it’s clear that he can be a pure sniper going forward. However, he can be a bit too offensively-minded at times, and needs to do better at making the smart pass to a teammate in order to generate a better scoring opportunity, rather than attempting a very low percentage shot.
Denis Guryanov has the speed and acceleration necessary to beat defenders wide off the rush. He has a quick first step and can use that along with his acceleration to be the first man on many loose pucks. A powerful stride also allows him to bowl right over a defender, or to carry a checker on his back as he drives the net. He is very strong on his skates for a 17-year-old, with great lower body strength and balance. This makes him very hard to knock off the puck. Add good agility and edge-work and Guryanov can get by defenders in a variety of ways. Defenders must respect his skating ability when he carries the puck up the ice on a rush, however if they back up too far giving him the option to use the defender as a screen, he is more than willing to unleash his powerful shot once he gets inside the face-off dots.
Defensively, Denis Guryanov shows a commitment to backchecking, and plays his gritty game along the boards in all three zones. He shows tenacity in all three zones and is unafraid to make a hit to make the play, or take a hit to be sure he gets the puck out at his blue line. Guryanov could use some work on his positioning however, as that does not seem to come naturally to him in the defensive end of the ice. Moving to the smaller North American rinks, will require some coaching to refine this aspect of his game.
Guryanov is a ‘boom or bust’ prospect. He has great skill and could certainly develop into a top-six forward for an NHL team. However, the fact that he is playing in the KHL — and for his home town team no less — could make sign-ability an issue going forward. The defensive refinements needed also mean he’d need some time to learn that aspect of the game before being ready to be fully trusted by an NHL coach, though his effort level is there. In terms of a stylistic comparison, he can look like Andrei Kostitsyn but with a more consistent game-to-game effort level and better hockey sense. This is a stylistic comparison only though, and not one based on talent.
I've got to say, after focusing on Guryanov exclusively, he's definitely someone who will probably receive a bump on my board. Significant prospect.
Denis Guryanov
Offensive zone ability: B+
Offensive transition ability: B
Puck movement and possession retention: B
Defensive transition ability: B-
Defensive zone ability: C+
Defense: positional
Offense: mixed
Keywords, unique identity traits: sizeable winger with speed and skill, excels in puck protection and in cycle, can gain space through neutral zone with puck handling and speed, great shot and finds soft spots to get it off
Room for improvement: can be prone to overdoing his offensive rushes through transition, tries to gain entry by himself a bit too much, which can result in turnovers
Full analysis:
Denis Guryanov is a 6'2 winger (with room to fill out his frame) who has great ability to skate with the puck and handle the puck at speed as well as to change directions, excels in protecting the puck on the cycle and making plays off it, has a considerable skill-level and has the vision and compete level to capitalize on opportunities, jumping into soft spots to get his shot off (and he can definitely snap it too), or taking the puck there himself. Considerable confidence in his game and he displays the desire to be a factor on the ice at all times. Good hockey IQ and not deficient defensively.
Guryanov simply put is a significant prospect in this draft. He has a few easily fixable weaknesses and several intriguing tools combined into a pro-winger style package. Starting with the offensive zone. Guryanov is a joy to watch in the offensive zone and already shows not just the skillset typical of high-end offensive prospects but a significant pro-style game. He is competitive and likes to jump on loose pucks, he has a decent frame that still needs to be filled out, he is great on his skates and can turn laterally, crossovers, changes of pace, and can do all that while handling the puck at speed. He excels in protecting the puck on the cycle and extending zone-time. He does not mind going into the dirty areas and he has a good shot, but he can find an open man as well. Also does a good job in getting to the soft spots on the ice where he looks for his shot, body language shows that he is very confident in his ability on ice and likes to play with jump, wants to get the puck on his stick and wants to make a contribution. Frankly, overall Guryanov's toolset is one that is definitely looking like something that has a decent chance of translating to the next level.
In transition again, he attacks with speed and can handle the puck while skating and moving his feet at the same time. Has good explosiveness and long reach. Protects the puck and can gain space with his skating and then make plays off it. Here, he does have a few easy fixes to make. For one, he can be liable to overdoing it by himself in trying to get around the opposing players too much on his own and sometimes he ends up losing the puck. Could learn to implement gear changes here, slow down sometimes and pass the puck to an open linemate for him to continue and support him. Not a huge issue, as he just needs to cut back slightly and let the game come to him. But still, a pretty good player in attacking through neutral zone into offensive zone and has ample natural talent there.
Defensively his effort level is slightly more inconsistent, but I would not really call him a below-average defensive player. Off the puck, he tracks the play pretty well and have even seen him throw his body around a bit on the forecheck. He will back-check and pick up his man. Covers his lanes reasonably well, but I don't think he is that far advanced in those respects. Definitely projectable for a prospect but I doubt that he'd ever be a significant defensive force.
In his own zone he does keep his feet moving and tracks the play. He'll commit to puck battles if needed, but he is not as good at winning those 50-50 battles at the wall compared to actually protecting the puck once he has the possession of it. So he's definitely someone who can protect the puck at the wall once he gets it or make plays out of it, but when it comes down to 50-50 battles in his own zone, he's not quite as advanced yet. In the defensive zone, I wouldn't say that he exits the zone prematurely but he does keep his head up and looks for possible turnovers so he can contribute on the rush if that possibility opens up and that is something he likes to do.
Overall, I'd say Guryanov projects as a top 6 skill winger with size and a decent compete level. Has good puck protection, can make plays off the wall and excels in cycling. Shows up in soft spots of the ice looking for his shot. Very translatable package overall. He could also play in a bottom 6 if that's what's required as he has good size and jump and protects the puck well and can sustain zone time, pinning the opposition down in their own zone. Also has the ability to utilize his skating to gain entry which is another plus, especially if you're playing a dump and chase bottom 6 role as maybe there won't be that much back-and-forth through the neutral zone available in that scenario. Could definitely play on the PP.
Development focus: I'd say for Guryanov he has to mostly fill out his 6'2 frame with some weight. There's a few quirks in his game that he likes to do now when in offensive transition, which might not work consistently at the NHL level. He can be prone to trying to gain entry all by himself which can back-fire, so cutting back on doing that in favor of a more controlled team-oriented neutral zone play and supporting the puck a bit more might be required at the next level.
Projection: I'd project Guryanov as having the ability to play as a top 9 winger with size and skill. Good puck protection, can sustain zone time, skates with the puck and can gain space, and does a good job of finding open spaces to get his shot off. Could play on the PP. Probably a better fit for a top 6 role but could make a contribution in a bottom 6 role as well.
Craig Button said:One of the most powerful, dynamic players in the draft. Has excellent speed but his explosive quickness is exceptional and he can create space and opportunities quickly. Excellent shot with a quick release and goalies have to be ready. Easily could be a top 10 or even a top five talent in this draft.
Last edited:
