Dmitri Isayev (LW, R, 5’9″, 148, Avto Yekaterinburg, 06/26/2007)
Dmitri Isayev is a highly skilled, offensively gifted winger who plays with pace, confidence, and creativity. He has been one of the most productive forwards in the MHL this season, leading his team in both goals and points despite playing six fewer games. His playmaking vision, ability to find space, and quick processing make him a constant threat in the offensive zone. While his size remains a significant hurdle, his compete level, hockey sense, and agility give him NHL traits that are worth developing. He projects as an all-or-nothing skilled winger who, with physical maturation and refinement, could grow into a legitimate pro-level scoring threat.
Why He Should Be an NHL Draft Pick:
- Pure Production and Efficiency
Isayev is one of the most productive U18 forwards in the MHL this season. In just 44 games, he’s posted 22 goals and 45 points, leading a defensive-minded team in both categories. Even more impressive is that 17 of his 22 goals came at even strength, demonstrating his ability to produce without inflated power-play usage. - High-End Vision and Puck Skill
Isayev completes 89% of his passes and 1.20 per game lead directly to a teammate’s Grade “A” scoring opportunity — a rare number even for top prospects. His hands are deceptive and slick, and he has the skill to manipulate defenders and thread passes through seams that many players don’t see. His creativity, such as attempted lacrosse styled plays from behind the net, attempting to flip the puck over the defender’s head to himself and behind-the-back dishes, reflects confidence and elite hand-eye coordination. - Agility, Spatial Awareness, and Off-Puck Movement
Despite lacking size and strength, Isayev’s edgework, agility, and anticipation make him elusive in transition and dangerous on the cycle. He consistently finds soft ice and gets open in high-danger areas. He’s particularly effective in small areas, using pivots and shoulder fakes to shake defenders and generate separation. - Plays Bigger Than His Frame
Isayev doesn’t shy away from contact. He engages in eleven puck battles per game, winning 47% — a solid number for an undersized forward. He also blocks nearly 0.5 shots per game, a reflection of willingness to pay the price in his own zone. While he gets hit too often (0.81 hits received/game), the effort and willingness to compete in traffic cannot be questioned. - Maturity and Reliability in a Structured System
Yekaterinburg plays a tight, structured, defensively-responsible game — and Isayev has thrived within it. His +13 rating is top-five on the team despite high offensive usage. He doesn’t cheat for offense, backchecks responsibly, and creates turnovers (3.2 takeaways/game).
Why He Might Not Be an NHL Draft Pick:
- Size and Physical Projection Concerns
At 5’9″, 148 lbs, Isayev is below the NHL average size for forwards, and his physical maturity is still lacking. He’s hit too often (0.81 hits received/game) for a winger playing on Olympic-sized ice, and his current strength profile will be a challenge against NHL-caliber competition. - Risk-Taking and Turnovers
He averages 4.6 giveaways per game, a high number that reflects both his usage and his tendency to over-handle or attempt low-percentage plays. While some of this is linked to creativity, he must learn to simplify and manage the puck more efficiently at pace — especially under pressure at the next level. - Shooting Inefficiencies
Although he attempts 5 shots per game, 2.18 of them are either blocked or miss the net. For a player with this kind of skill and space-finding ability, his 14% conversion rate on Grade “A” chances is only average. He must improve his release mechanics, deception, and one-timer comfort to truly project as a shooter at higher levels. - Limited Role Versatility
Isayev doesn’t kill penalties (0:02 average) and takes fewer than one face-off per game. His usage profile is heavily tilted toward offensive situations, so if he doesn’t produce points at the next level, it’s unclear how else he contribute.
Projection:
Isayev projects as a high-upside offensive winger with top-six potential if his body matures and he develops high percentage puck management habits. His hands, vision, and instincts are clear NHL tools. He’ll need to land in an organization that prioritizes puck possession and can be patient with undersized talent. If he can add weight without sacrificing mobility and elevate his shooting efficiency, he could become a dangerous transition scorer and power-play option.
Comparable:
Artemi Panarin – This sounds outlandish but their numbers are very similar while playing in the MHL and both are undersized right shot wingers with quick twitch hands and spatial intelligence who needed time to physically mature before proving NHL impact.
Draft Recommendation:
4th–Round Grade
Isayev is a developmental swing on skill and hockey sense. He checks a lot of boxes in terms of pace, processing, and puck skill, but the physical risks are real. He is a real value bet with offensive upside. Would benefit greatly from playing a year in the CHL or moving to North America to adjust to tighter space and smaller ice.