Prospect Info: With the #86 pick, the Wild select (C) Alexander Khovanov (QMJHL, Moncton Wildcats)

[Minnesota]

Alexander Khovanov at eliteprospects.com

PLAYER STATISTICS

S	TEAM	LEAGUE	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-		GP	GP	G	A	TP	PIM
2014-15	Ak Bars Kazan U16	Russia U16	25	13	18	31	28		|
2015-16	Ak Bars Kazan U16	Russia U16	13	11	26	37	22		|
	Ak Bars Kazan U18	Russia U18	-	-	-	-	-		|
2016-17	Ak Bars Kazan U18	Russia U18	-	-	-	-	-		|
	Irbis Kazan	MHL	29	8	14	22	38	7	|	Playoffs	8	1	1	2	2	-1
	Russia U17	WHC-17	5	5	2	7	4		|
2017-18	Moncton Wildcats	QMJHL	29	9	19	28	36	-1	|	Playoffs	12	3	4	7	14	-7
	Russia U18 (all)	International-Jr	4	0	2	2	0		|

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[Wabit]

Flying a bit under the radar because the Q import was sidelined with Hepatitis C until almost January. Played slow and looked out of place during increased playoff pace. That might hurt his chances of wooing a team's scouting staff into taking him early. Takes needless penalties and didn't show much commitment, coming in out of shape. Initially looked like he might be a first rounder.
--Bill Placzek--

Sounds a lot like the Sokolov pick a couple of years ago.

 

[Minnesota]

Basically PPG during his short playing time last year before getting sick. This guy could put up huge numbers with a full season.

 

[SomethingGeneric]

Seems like another good value pick.

 

[absolute garbage]

This is pretty interesting. Looked like he had a very promising 16-17 season but then his draft season was ruined.

Not a fan of drafting Russians to Minnesota in general but I guess it's a high upside pick. He could explode next season with a healthy offseason.

 

[LastWordArmy]

Scouting Report

Alexander Khovanov Scouting Report: 2018 NHL Draft

 

[Minnesota]

This is pretty interesting. Looked like he had a very promising 16-17 season but then his draft season was ruined.

Not a fan of drafting Russians to Minnesota in general but I guess it's a high upside pick. He could explode next season with a healthy offseason.

A Russian playing in the QMJHL is different than a Russian playing in the KHL.

 

[puckMAN]

Would have been okay with him @24,I've seen him called as having and being the best vision/passer in the draft.He needs to improve his skating speed but could be a big time get.2 years ago he was was in a battle with Svech for best 00 born russian and was the best Russian at the 2016 youth Olympics.I recommend watching the highlights of those youth games because they are basically a khovanov highlight real.

 

[ClayAikenFan77]

This could be a steal guys.. Almost a point per game in his first NA season after recovering from Hep A he contacted last summer. Impressive international stats too.

It doesn't mean much, but two months ago Svechnikov said that Khovanov should be a top 15 pick.

Love these kind of picks.

 

[Acallabeth]

IMO the easy steal of the draft. Exttremely skilled and smart passer with the talent way above his draft position. Good luck guys.

 

[AKL]

@Rabid Husky I really like this pick, just so you know. Cause I know you’ll be checking up on me.

 

[DANOZ28]

great value pick , i have an old rankings from 12-16 that had him at #17. glad we addressed our shortage of C depth this 3rd rnd. i cant wait to see kaprizov / khovanov / sokolov work some 3rd line magic.

 

[Ban Hammered]

@Rabid Husky I really like this pick, just so you know. Cause I know you’ll be checking up on me.

Good for you...

 

[puckMAN]

Fitting he was the 86th pick in the draft.Dare I say he's similar to another 5'11 Russian C who wears #86?

 

[Digitalbooya]

Love this pick.

 

[tomgilbertfan]

I’ve heard people say he had Hep A, or Hep B, or Hep C. Can we really count on someone that has had almost every type of hepatitis?

 

[Minnesota]

I’ve heard people say he had Hep A, or Hep B, or Hep C. Can we really count on someone that has had almost every type of hepatitis?

Pros:
- High-end skill

Cons:
- Untrustworthy blood

 

[Wabit]

I’ve heard people say he had Hep A, or Hep B, or Hep C. Can we really count on someone that has had almost every type of hepatitis?

Well at least it's not the mumps?

 

[TaLoN]

Nice pick! Hope the out of shape thing is just illness related. Could be a steal!

 

[DANOZ28]

i thought hep C atleast was curable. see gilead pharma.

 

[SupremeNachos]

i thought hep C atleast was curable. see gilead pharma.

Pretty sure there are multiple strains of each Hep virus so it's a one cure per strain type of deal just like the flu.

 

[CHGoalie27]

IMO the easy steal of the draft. Exttremely skilled and smart passer with the talent way above his draft position. Good luck guys.

I came to say... I'm watching Denisenko shift by shift videos and Khovanov looked the standout LMAO. Thinking if the scouts had this video just why in the hell they didn't notice his dance partner that looked a little better IMO ...

 

[nickschultzfan]

Love this pick.

Agreed. He is one to watch.

 

[Nsjohnson]

Yeah, sounds like he has 1st round talent but hepatitis derailed his year.

Leading up to before he had Hep many scouts had him as a 1st rounder, early 2nd rounder. I listed him as a target in the draft a couple of weeks ago. I am happy we drafted him as his potential is there. He has a few borderline 'elite' (hate using that word) qualities in his passing and hockey sense, and has good speed. Many scouts believe him to be a boom or bust prospect.

I think it was a good pick.