| Yegor Privalov | Omskie Yastreby | MHL | R | LW | 5’11” | 174 | Ryazan, RUS | 2007 | 2024-2025: B |
Game Grade: B+
Comments: Privalov just turned 16 in August and is already one of the better players on a talented Yastreby team. He plays at an incredibly high pace and keeps his motor going on both ends. We loved the pressure that he applied to opponents; he made them very uncomfortable by taking away all of their breathing room, making solid poke attempts, and keeping up with his fast foot speed. He is very confident with the puck for a young 16 year old and was able to successfully transition multiple times, showing off insane pace, quick hands, and quick decision making ability. He made firm passes when he found options and was able to hold onto the puck with full control when he did not. He showed off impressively quick hands that he combined with his footspeed and a ‘get to the net at all costs mentality’ that allowed him to beat opponents 1v1 and attempt to force his way to the cage. One thing that we think he needs to work on most is his off puck movements in the offensive zone. He is very active and in motion which we like but he doesn’t seem to understand where to go to best support his teammates/create high danger opportunities. He often got way too close to his teammates and cut off their space. He also seemed to seek out spots that his coaches told him to go to even if the spot was already covered. He needs to learn to read the ice and pick his spots based on what the defense is leaving open. The sky’s the limit for Privalov and we expect him to be one the top Russian prospects for the class of 2025.
| Andrei Korzin | Omskie Yastreby | MHL | R | C | 6’4″ | 207 | St. Petersburg, RUS | 2005 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade: C
Comments: Korzin moves around the ice well and is able to push the puck in transition if given the opportunity. He plays with an active stick and is often able to shut down plays in the defensive zone early. He is however a bit slow and gets dragged out of position often. This made him a liability due to the fact that he was unable to get back to his spot quick enough to stop chances. There is potential in Korzin if he can improve his foot speed and agility but for now he is just an above average defenseman. Neutral Zone will be looking for development in his all around game over the next few years.
| Vladimir Timoshenko | Omskie Yastreby | MHL | L | RW | 6’2″ | 201 | Omsk, RUS | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade: B-
Comments: Timoshenko is a big body with smooth skating and a ton of confidence. He showed off smooth hands and attempted to power through defense using the momentum he picked up while transitioning through the neutral zone. His transition confidence was great. He made smart reads and took advantage of opening lanes as he came up ice. He was also able to take advantage of the dump and chase and was often able to win the race with good positioning. He applied good forechecking pressure and was able to come away with a few steals. He is able to generate good speed with space but his stride is a little choppy and skates with a wide stance. Vladimir is a calm player with the puck and was able to hold onto it for long periods of time and also take advantage of open teammates through timely passes. Defensively he is a bit of a liability. He often floats around the zone and provides little effort. He also cheated a few times into the neutral zone when the puck was not fully secured by his team and took a while to get back into position after the puck was turned over. We would also like to see him seek out better ice in the offensive zone. He often found a spot and planted himself in that area even if it had been taken away. Timoshenko is a skilled and confident player but did not show enough tonight.
| Danila Sysoyev | Omskie Yastreby | MHL | R | LW | 5’10” | 179 | Achinsk, RUS | 2006 | 2023-2024: B |
Game Grade: A-
Comments: Sysoyev had a much better game tonight than he has had in Neutral Zone’s recent viewings. He played at a high pace all night and showed off the high end talent that was on display early in the season. He showed off insanely quick and calculated hands that he used to beat defenders and protect the puck. He kept his footspeed high and was able to rush the puck very effectively all game. He has great straight line speed and used it to his advantage to beat opponents in transition. Danila made smart choices with the puck on the rush, head manning the puck or dumping/chasing before he ran out of space. He worked harder without the puck than normal, going the extra distance to collect a loose puck, win a race, or out battle opponents for possession. He made quick, smart passes to set up teammates and snapped the puck around quickly on the powerplay, creating a couple of quality chances for his team. Without the puck in the offensive zone, he stayed in motion searching for space to support his teammates and open himself up for chances. His control of the puck was much better tonight as well. He was patient with his passing and cut decisions, didn’t force himself into difficult situations, and escaped pressure with quick stick handles and turns. He created shot attempts by cutting into space at optimal times. He has a heavy wrist shot but needs to work on hitting the net. He hunts the top shelf and often shoots over the cage. Much better performance from Sysoyev tonight. Now he needs to focus on creating dangerous chances through his passing and increasing his motor a bit.
Logo Courtesy of Omsk Yastreby
Player Evaluations: Henry Lawrence