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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 24, 2021 13:14:12 GMT -5
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Post by folatre on Jul 24, 2021 13:22:01 GMT -5
Quite a few Russian kids seem like they will be good value in this draft. Kostenko is one of them.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 24, 2021 13:29:47 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 24, 2021 13:31:44 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 24, 2021 23:42:04 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 26, 2021 21:35:24 GMT -5
From Habs EOTP:
The Habs added their second right-shot blueliner in this draft class in Kostenko, a player who was strong offensively at the junior level but spent most of the season in Russia’s minor pro (AHL equivalent) league.
Bio
Defenceman
Shoots: Right
DOB: September 25, 2002 – Togliatti, RUS
Height: 6’0
Weight: 168 lbs
Scouting Reports
Future Considerations: He’s primarily a stick-on-puck defender because he doesn’t have a lot of muscle mass to work with, though he does compete fairly well in his assignments. “A defenseman with impressive four-way mobility and a lot of skill and poise when the puck is on his stick,” an FCHockey scout said. “Has the potential to be a true difference-maker.” Kostenko is a promising prospect due to his assertiveness, agility, and poise with the puck. He’s a rangy defender, that will need to improve his skating and overall footwork to reach the next level.
The Draft Analyst: He’s both quick and agile, and Kostenko likes to push the pace to his liking while showing confidence with the puck. Sometimes that gets him into trouble, but his overall understanding of the game is quite high. Consider him more of a project than a sure thing, as Kostenko can be a maddening player to watch — there is a lot of offensive skill and ability there, but improvements in defensive play were minor once he played against grown men. He possesses one of the best sets of hands in this year’s MHL class, his passes are crisp and accurate, and his slap shot has some power behind it.
Dobber Prospects: Kostenko is at his best when he is able to find himself some room with his feet and the puck on his stick and then dishing passes around the offensive zone. He plays with a bit of deception, looking off opponents and threading a no-look pass off his backhand or faking a shot and finding a teammate on the backdoor.
HockeyProspect: Dmitri Kostenko doesn’t possess any special skills, but he has no real pronounced or glaring weakness either from a technical or physical perspective. He owns a plus skill level, but he doesn’t have “finishing” skill. He keeps plays alive well enough, but he’s not a player that can take that kill shot or make that cross net-line pass that unravels a defense. He’s a difficult player to put a final grade on because we get the sense that there might be some untapped potential here, but how does he get there? What’s the hook? He has a lot of high-level experience already. He put in two seasons at the MHL level and then just completed a VHL season in his draft year. Maybe a jump to an even higher level will spark him a little bit more.
DraftPro Hockey: Kostenko is a strong skating two-way defender with a cannon of a shot. He’s highly mobile for a rearguard, and can be depended on to skate the puck out of trouble. He’s a calm and collected presence on the back end, never appearing flustered or lost. He keeps a tight gap at all times, and is able to match the puck carrier using his excellent four-way skating ability. He has top four potential in the NHL.
Corey Pronman: Kostenko showed well versus men and juniors this season in Russia. He stands out with the puck on his stick, has slick hands and the ability to fool checkers with his one-on-one plays. He’s a creative passer who makes a strong outlet and has blue line poise. Kostenko’s main drawback is he has a heavy skating stride. Even though he has a decent defensive stick and size, his lack of quickness will make his defending questionable as he advances levels, but the offense in his game keeps him as a strong prospect.
LWOS: Kostenko makes an excellent break-out pass, starting the transition game. He can even make the long breakaway pass when an attacker gets behind the opposing defence. Kostenko also has a good slap shot and wrist shot. However, he needs to work on his defensive game. Kostenko seems to shy away from playing the body and goes for the poke check in all situations. This may improve as he matures and adds muscle.
Rankings
Future Considerations: 71
Central Scouting: 17 (EU Skaters)
Bob McKenzie: 88
Recrutes: 61
Draft Prospects Hockey: 60
The Draft Analyst: 108
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Post by GNick99 on Jul 27, 2021 5:07:53 GMT -5
Some late picks, but Promnan rankings makes him have a chance
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Jul 27, 2021 9:57:24 GMT -5
Some late picks, but Promnan rankings makes him have a chance I really like this pick at this spot of the draft. He gives me a bit of a Norlinder vibe. Good puck moving D, who has a big shot (both slap shot and wrister). He does play a bit more of a passive style of D, relying on positioning and stick work as he is not the biggest and strongest D out there. As a late 2002 birthday, he always plays against older players when suiting up internationally. I actually watched three of his games from a February 2020 U18 Five Nations tourney while watching players for the 2020 draft. He is part of the U20 Russian team playing in a tourney next month and has a good chance of being on the WJC team. When you combine that he spent most of the past year in the VHL (second men’s league), he faces tougher competition than many of his draft peers. |
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