Maxim Agafonov (D, R, 6’1″, 200, Tolpar Ufa, 04/10/2007)
Maxim Agafonov is a composed, steady, two-way defenseman with a skill set that translates to North American professional hockey and a solid physical frame. His ability to make smart, accurate passes, clear defensive lanes, and use his size effectively highlights his maturity as a defenseman. Agafonov’s strength lies in his reliable play in all three zones, making him a dependable presence on the ice. However, to unlock his full potential and make an impact at the NHL level, he must continue to develop his puck deception and lateral mobility, decision-making in offensive when under heavy pressure, and more consistent physical engagement.
Strengths:
Passing and Puck Movement:
Agafonov demonstrates elite-level passing ability, completing 90% of his passing attempts. His passes are crisp, flat, and consistently arriving on his forward’s tape when they want the puck, enabling his team to transition quickly.
His soft first touch on both his forehand and backhand allows him to control difficult pucks wrapped along the walls and make calm, composed passes when gathering a bouncing puck.
Defensive Zone Awareness:
Maxim is a disciplined defender who uses leg drive when clearing shooting lanes and maintaining strong positioning in front of his net.
His ability to win 54% of his 50/50 puck battles and effectively use his core and leg strength to hold his ice makes him tough to play against.
He is adept at recovering rebounds in the defensive zone, averaging 2.5 recoveries per game, showcasing his puck anticipation and situational awareness.
Skating Mechanics:
Agafonov’s skating is powerful and efficient, with a deep knee-over-toe base and long, powerful strides that allow him cover ground quickly without looking like he is working hard.
He maintains balance and control in defensive situations, particularly when engaging physically or clearing the crease.
Two-Way Reliability:
His 5.5 takeaways per game show his ability to anticipate and disrupt plays effectively. He has a calm, composed demeanor under pressure, which allows him to contribute effectively in both penalty-kill and power-play situations.
Offensively, his shots from the point, while not overly powerful, are consistently generate rebounds and secondary scoring opportunities.
Hockey IQ:
Agafonov processes the game quickly, making quick decisive decisions with and without the puck. His positioning and play-reading ability are strengths, making him a reliable option in high-pressure situations.
Areas for Improvement:
Shot Power and Offensive Output:
While Agafonov’s shot generates rebounds, it lacks the velocity to be a consistent power play threat from the point. Developing a more powerful and accurate shot will increase his value on the power play and in offensive-zone situations.
Physical Engagement:
At 0.79 hard body checks per game, Agafonov defends primarily through positioning and skating rather than physicality. While effective, incorporating a mean streak into his game, especially in board battles and in front of the net, will add another layer to his defensive skill set.
Handling Pressure and Turnovers:
Agafonov occasionally struggles with giveaways (3.1 per game) when trying to make soft cute passing plays rather then being assertive to relieve pressure.
Quicker decision-making and improved puck handling under duress will reduce these turnovers.
Offensive Contributions:
He has the skating and passing ability to activate more effectively in transition and from the blue line but needs to show greater assertiveness in the offensive zone.
Physical Conditioning:
While already well-built at 6’1″ and 200 lbs, adding additional strength to improve his explosiveness and endurance will be crucial for Agafonov to handle the physical demands of the NHL.
Key Development Goals:
Improve shot power and accuracy to become a greater offensive threat.
Emphasize physicality in defensive situations, particularly along the boards and in front of the net.
Improve pre-reads or scanning the ice prior to having the puck on his stick is very important to improve his puck play when under heavy pressure to reduce turnovers in high-stakes scenarios.
Continue building strength to maximize skating explosiveness and effectiveness in puck battles.
If Agafonov continues on his developmental trajectory, he has the potential to become a reliable NHL defenseman who can contribute in all situations.
Projection
Maxim Agafonov projects as a dependable second-pairing defenseman with the potential to become a low-end top-pairing player if he simplifies his offensive game and physical engagement. His strong passing, defensive awareness, and skating make him a safe and appealing option for NHL teams.
Draft Outlook: Early second-round selection with a chance to move into the late first-round in the 2025 NHL Draft with improved offensive numbers during the second half of the season.
Player Comparison: Dmitry Orlov — A steady, mobile two-way defenseman who relies on positioning, intelligence, and puck-moving ability to make positive impacts at both ends of the ice.
Logo courtesy of Tolpar Ufa