6. Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, C, 18 (Peterborough Petes)
SDA’s seasons have existed in three segments. He really struggled out of the gate, he’s really struggling right now, and there was a middle section during which he looked like the most dynamic player on the ice for an extended stretch. In the infamous words of Fran Fraschilla, he’s “two years away from being two years away.” Given how young he is (SDA was days away from being eligible for this year’s draft), that’s fine. He’ll likely need to find a way to get stronger (just like Connor Brown, who struggled for years to add weight, eventually did) if he’s going to have a successful pro career, he’ll definitely need to learn to cut down on the mistakes, overhandling the puck, improve in his own zone, and he’s got to begin to shoot more and to turn that shot into a threat along the way. There’s so much to like about his game, though. SDA’s puck skills are off the charts, he sees players across the ice that most don’t and he has the passing ability to thread the puck through traffic with a quick spin to make that pass happen and, despite lacking foot speed, he’s able to play the game at his pace and still dictate.