| Arsen Taymazov Taimazov | MHK Dynamo Moskva | MHL | R | D | 6’4″ | 192 | Vladikavkaz, RUS | 2006 | 2023-2024: B- |
Game Grade: C+
Comments: Taimazov is a player we have been very happy with in previous viewings. He has a big frame, very smooth skating, moves the puck around well, and plays a physical game. Unfortunately tonight he was unable to show much of anything at all. His passing decisions were horrendous. Every time he had the puck, he rushed a pass off of his stick as quickly as he could and very rarely had a target he was aiming for. He had a ridiculous number of turnovers due to bad decisions with the puck. He had trouble stick handling and left the puck behind on a few rush attempts. He forced shots directly at clogged shooting lanes and was easily blocked multiple times. The positives were that he showed the same smooth skating style, confidence with the puck (He attempted skilled plays even though he was unable to complete them), and some heavy shots from the point. He fired a couple of cannon blasts from the blue line that were difficult for the opposing goalie to track. Neutral Zone still likes Arsen’s base attributes but he can’t have any more games like this if he hopes to be drafted.
| Artyom Bondar | MHK Dynamo Moskva | MHL | L | C | 6’0″ | 172 | Smolensk, RUS | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Bondar plays a smart and patient game and uses his quick hands to create lots of offensive opportunities. With the puck on his stick, he remains calm and cuts around the zone with his head up, scanning for opportunities to slip a pass to one of his linemates. He is very patient and able to read the play well. In one particular example, he wound up for a shot with a defenseman right in front of him. He chose to fake the shot and cut away with his head scanning for the next best option. He found a cutting teammate and slid it over, in stride for a good shot on goal. He plays at a great pace in the offensive zone. His quick feet and hands allow him to move just about anywhere he chooses and keeps defenders on his heels due to his fast style of play. However, in transition, he lacked any motor at all and was unable to beat defenders on the rush. For whatever reason he couldn’t accelerate to the speed he plays at in the offensive zone and was easily caught nearly on every transitional attempt. If he just kicked it up to a slightly higher gear he would have set himself up on multiple odd man rushes. Defensively Neutral Zone was happy with Bondar’s game tonight. He jumped into passing lanes with great timing and a very active stick to come away with multiple steals in the defensive zone. He quickly made headman passes with possession and turned play up ice.
Logo Courtesy of Dynamo Moskva
Player Evaluations: Henry Lawrence