Mikhail Sozinov (D, L, 6’3″, 192, SKA 1946 St. Petersburg, 10/01/2006)
Mikhail Sozinov is a long, mobile defenseman with plus feet, strong puck control, and defensive efficiency rooted in stick detail, gap control, and high compete. He has quietly been one of the most defensively effective defenders in the MHL this season on a strong SKA development squad. While the offensive ceiling remains unclear, his elite puck retrieval and transition efficiency, combined with a defender team-leading +34, make him one of the most quietly effective defenders in the Russian junior system.
Why Mikhail Sozinov Should Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) Elite Retrieval, Gap Control & Transition Efficiency
Sozinov’s edge control and lateral movement are excellent, and he uses them to win retrievals, shake forecheckers, and make high-percentage outlet plays. His 61% win rate in 50/50 puck battles and 7 takeaways per game (elite) are top-tier indicators that he is winning pucks and moving play in the right direction.
2) Minimal Risk, Smart Puck Play
With 2.8 giveaways per game, Sozinov ranks elite in puck possession and game management. That efficiency is paired with a quietly effective offensive presence — 0.52 completed passes/game leading to Grade “A” chances — and 15 assists (T-2nd among SKA defenders) despite limited power play use. He walks the line well and can change the angle to open lanes, even if he doesn’t activate frequently off the wall.
3) Defensive Reliability & Team Impact
He leads SKA’s defense in plus-minus (+34) and is top four across all skaters on a team known for its structure. He doesn’t take unnecessary risks, and his ability to block 1.35 shots per game and play clean (just 18 PIMs) shows he’s highly disciplined and positionally sound.
4) Skating Foundation
Sozinov is an exceptional skater for his size. He can escape pressure, pivot and transition without losing speed, and close space on the rush. He rarely gets beat 1v1 and stays composed when defending east-west movement, which is a major tool in projecting defenders into the National League level.
Why Mikhail Sozinov Should Not Be an NHL Draft Pick
1) No Goal Scoring Impact
Despite all his tools, Sozinov finished the year with zero goals in 51 games, and only 0.22 Grade “A” chances per game. He’s reluctant to activate or even shoot — a key concern for NHL translatability in a modern league where mobile defenders are expected to contribute offensively. Without generating more offense or power play value, he profiles strictly as a stay-at-home option.
2) Minimal Physical Engagement
At 6’3″, Sozinov gives and receives under 1 hit per game and was not a factor in terms of drawing penalties (0.02 per game) — a concern for a player with his size and skating ability. While he uses body positioning effectively to defend, his unwillingness (or inability) to physically engage raises concern about how he’ll handle the grind and pace of North American forechecks and net-front play.
3) Needs Strength Development
At 192 lbs on a 6’3″ frame, he’s lean and it shows in how he’s been pushed through or taken out of battles. Neutral Zone has noted that he can be too easily knocked off pucks or worked off the wall, which limits his ability to defend heavy forwards or kill cycles.
4) Ceiling May Be Capped
Sozinov may be close to a finished product. His tools are solid — but he isn’t wired offensively, doesn’t kill penalties regularly, and doesn’t play with bite needed for National League success. While he projects as a safe MHL/KHL regular, his low usage on special teams and lack of dynamic traits suggest he may never be more than an organizational depth defender at the NHL level.
Projection and NHL Outlook
Projection: Bottom-pairing NHL defenseman with shutdown, puck-moving ability.
Draft Grade: 3rd–5th Round
Verdict:
Sozinov has the size, skating, and defensive brain to warrant NHL consideration. He’s a low-risk, high-efficiency, puck-moving defenseman who thrives in a structured system and rarely makes mistakes. However, his offensive ceiling is limited, and his physical game is underwhelming for his size. He projects as a long-term development project — safe pick in the middle rounds for teams looking to develop low-maintenance defensive depth with upside. If the offensive confidence and strength come, he could exceed expectations. If not, you still have a poised, mobile, right-situation depth defenseman who can eat minutes and play responsibly in his own zone.