Nikita Susuyev
2022-23 Workforce: Khimik Voskresensk / VHL
Date of Start: Feb 6, 2005
Place of Start: Moskva, RUS
Top: 6-foot-0, Weight: 172 kilos
Shoots: Left
Place: Ahead
NHL Draft Eligibility: First-year eligible
Rankings
If there may be one factor you possibly can say about Nikita Susuyev, it’s that he isn’t afraid of taking up the hardest competitors. At simply 17 years previous, he grew to become the youngest goalscorer in HC Spartak Moscow’s historical past, which is spectacular given the hockey membership’s lengthy historical past within the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). In that very same recreation, he potted a second objective, which made for a powerful night time for the teen as he performed towards males in one of many prime hockey leagues on this planet.
Nevertheless, this time within the KHL didn’t final. Within the following seven video games, Susuyev posted no factors, and he was finally demoted to the MHL, which is the Russian Junior Hockey League. With this chance towards skaters nearer to his age, he went on to play 38 video games through the 2022-23 season, scoring 11 objectives and 28 factors together with six factors in seven video games through the postseason.
Associated: 2023 NHL Draft Information
On the ice, Susuyev is an offensive risk who lacks a defensively spherical recreation. Now, this may be one thing that’s labored by, however proper now it can restrict his potential, as it’s tough to take that subsequent step based mostly solely on scoring, except you might be an all-world scorer. He has a powerful toolkit to construct upon, as his skating, stick work, and offensive instincts are strong, so if the precise group drafts him, there might be an actual diamond within the tough.
Different THW Draft Profiles
Nikita Susuyev – NHL Draft Projection
In recent times, it’s turn into widespread to see extremely expert however defensive questionable gamers slide down the draft charts, particularly in the event that they lack a key trait like measurement. This makes it tough to put Susuyev, who has all the offensive instincts you would ask for, however wants to enhance his total recreation to take that subsequent step in his profession.
Newest Information & Highlights
This makes me imagine that his precise draft place could be a bit decrease than the place he ranks within the pre-draft hypothesis. Whereas I may see him going as quickly because the late third spherical, I additionally wouldn’t be shocked to see him slide all the way in which to Rounds 6 or 7 if groups see his defensive recreation as a much bigger legal responsibility than his offensive upside.
Nevertheless, if I needed to guess, I might put his choice within the late fourth spherical to early fifth spherical, someplace between picks 120 to 130. This may make him a low-risk, high-reward candidate that might burst onto the scene in a couple of seasons if he takes that subsequent significant step in his growth.
Quotables
Susuyev is “good”, however he’s not nice. He does his job effectively as a ahead who can end up on created performs and he’s capable of have offensive positives, however by way of discovering methods to make him a viable prospect, I can’t see it. He’s simply bought an excessive amount of that lacks and I don’t see Spartak fixing any of these points anytime quickly. I’m positive he’ll do effectively in Russia— he’s already achieved a lot! However I simply can’t see a lot of an NHL participant in Nikita Susuyev.
Nevertheless, it’s necessary to notice that whereas he (Susuyev) shows flashes of flashiness, he doesn’t try overly dangerous performs. As an alternative, his actions are reactionary and have the potential to catch defenders off-guard. He demonstrates the power to shortly maneuver round bodily strain and poke checks by weight shifts and a singular tomahawk skating type. This system permits him to open up his hips to the zone, leading to heightened imaginative and prescient and agility. It’s a uncommon and distinctive asset that Susuyev persistently makes use of
Jake Janso (from ‘March 15, 2023 Scouting Report of Nikita Susuyev,’ FCHockey, March 15, 2023)
Strengths
- Sturdy skater
- Nice offensive toolkit
- Good stick work
Beneath Building – Enhancements to Make
- Defensive potential might want to enhance to make the bounce to the NHL.
NHL Potential
It’s tough to challenge a participant like Susuyev as a result of he doesn’t have a physique of labor that screams NHL’er. Whereas he may attain the league in a completely offensive function, it’s uncommon for gamers to take action except if he turns into a famous person. This implies his skillset might be wasted if he’s put in a group’s backside six, as he won’t have the ability to play the defensive recreation essential to sustain in that function.
So, it seems like there might solely be a handful of choices for Susuyev to succeed in the NHL. He’ll both spherical out his recreation and turn into defensively accountable sufficient to take the ice in each zones, go all-in on offense, and turn into a scoring presence that may’t be ignored, or he merely gained’t make the transition to North America.
Now, I anticipate Susuyev to have a protracted and fruitful profession, and I wouldn’t wager towards him placing all of it collectively and reaching the NHL. He has a strong basis to construct upon, and if the precise group drafts him, they might set him up for future success.
Threat-Reward
Threat – 2/5, Reward – 3/5
Fantasy Hockey Potential
Offense – 7/10, Protection – 3/10
