RW/C Ruslan Iskhakov (2018, 63rd, NYI)

[Caser]

I rarely create threads here, but when I do... this time it's about one of this year's first-year draft eligible prospects Ruslan Iskhakov. Iskhakov is a small kid (5'8" or even 5'7" depending on the source) that plays mostly RW and C. Those who might know me here for some time might have noticed that I'm usually not very excited about undersized prospects, but this time it was impossible for me not to become a fan of this kid: elite hands (I mean it) and, judging by what I've seen from him so far, there is some high-end hockey IQ. Skating and finishing are a bit average, and physicality for obvious reasons is an issue, but still I'm too impressed with his strengths that I've listed above.

Iskhakov is playing for Krasnaya Armiya Moscow in the MHL and has now 6G+13A in 24 games played, which are solid stats, since his team is always stacked with talent. Always very noticeable for Russia U18 NT and, in my opinion, he was the second best player on the team both on Hlinka's Memorial and WJAC tournaments, always generating some top-quality offense.

Eliteprospects link: Ruslan Iskhakov

So, let's discuss..?

Click to read more...

 

[Caser]

Some media input:





Nice takeaway and assist here:

 

[Caser]

Some more media input:

 

[ObscureAlien]

always appreciate you sharing highlights of Russian prospects Caser!

 

[NotProkofievian]

He's managed to catch my eye in every tournament that I've watched him. He's very skilled. I don't have a very strong opinion about him beyond the observation that he has some serious moves.

 

[kudla]

He is the best player that has ever played in slovak u18 league, seen him many times live, his skills are beyond unreal

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

rhockey.ru now lists him at 183, which is 6'0.

Исхаков Руслан Николаевич Статистика

Is that wrong? Isn't this guy only like 5'8?

 

[NotProkofievian]

That's gotta be wrong. I just watched some of his game from today. Seems pretty 5'7-5'8ish to me.

 

[Caser]

rhockey.ru now lists him at 183, which is 6'0.

Исхаков Руслан Николаевич Статистика

Is that wrong? Isn't this guy only like 5'8?

Definitely a mistake here, he is clearly 5'7" or 5'8" as it has been already mentioned. I remember him standing right next to Zavgorodniy (he is 5'9") at the Hlinka's and Zavgorodniy was clearly, although not by much, taller.

 

[Apotheosis]

Even with that size, it's a lot easier for shorter players to get faster in comparison to taller players. With that IQ and skill, you bank on his skating rapidly improving. Talent is clearly there.

 

[Frk It]

I wonder if he could grow a bit, he does seem like he has some Datsyuk to him.

 

[Caser]

I wonder if he could grow a bit, he does seem like he has some Datsyuk to him.

Yeah, that assist and also the shootout move that I've posted in the second post, kind of hard for me not to make this comparison too, although I usually really try to avoid this kind of comparisons.

 

[Caser]

Looked just great in the first game of the 5 Nations tournament Vs. Finland and scored a goal.

 

[clevelandcane]

I watched him in Plymouth vs. Sweden. He definitely stood out. The kid can fly and seems to have good hockey IQ. Agree with others, he's small at maybe 5'8". I really liked his game.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

He's good, kind of similar to Abramov from a few drafts ago.

 

[kudla]

He is not taller than 5'7. And damn from slovak u18 league to the most productive player in russian u18 team? I remember getting up earlier just to go watch him every time he came to my city

 

[Caser]

He is not taller than 5'7. And damn from slovak u18 league to the most productive player in russian u18 team? I remember getting up earlier just to go watch him every time he came to my city

In Slovakia he was measured at 172 cm, which is 5'7.7". In MHL he is measured at 170 cm (5'6.9"), but as I've already mentioned it in another thread, this season I totally can't trust MHL's mearements.

 

[Caser]

 

[DivochLubo]

Such a nice play. This kid is really awesome.

 

[Kipper933]

The Russian Gaudreau?

 

[Goldenhands]

I thought he was playing a typical Russian game at the U18 5 nations, will probably become a very good KHLer but from what Ive seen, I would be surprised to see him have much of a Nhl carreer...

 

[Caser]

I thought he was playing a typical Russian game at the U18 5 nations, will probably become a very good KHLer but from what Ive seen, I would be surprised to see him have much of a Nhl carreer...

Apparently NHL scouts liked him though, I even heard some talks about the second round. But yeah, NHL game nowadays actually has quite some similarities to a typical Russian game (although analysts usually call that kind of game style more like a typical Soviet game, meaning the style Tikhonov's Red Machine was playing).

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Apparently NHL scouts liked him though, I even heard some talks about the second round. But yeah, NHL game nowadays actually has quite some similarities to a typical Russian game (although analysts usually call that kind of game style more like a typical Soviet game, meaning the style Tikhonov's Red Machine was playing).

2nd round? Well that sucks. Was kinda hoping he was still under the radar, or even small player syndrome.

 

[Caser]

2nd round? Well that sucks. Was kinda hoping he was still under the radar, or even small player syndrome.

Well, I'm not saying that he will definitely get selected that high, that's just what I was messaged by a person, who had been at the 5Nations, although it might mean that just some scout is very high on him, not everyone, so yeah, take it with a grain of salt (not to mention that there is still enough time for his draft stock to fall). But yes, I think that the 'under the radar' thing isn't about him anymore.

 

[Caser]