Semyon Simonov (LW, L, 6’3″, 166, Barys Astana, 07/17/2005) Semyon Simonov is a 6’3′, 166-pound left-shot winger playing in his fist full season in the KHL. At 6’3′ he has NHL length but at 166 pounds he remains significantly under weight and will need to spend serious time in the weight room to fully utilize his frame. Simonov has produced 19 points in 58 games while averaging over 14 minutes per night, including secondary power-play usage, which shows a young player earning trust in a very difficult league that typically is relying on older guys and former NHLers. His offensive profile shows quality indicators: he generates roughly 3.5 shot attempts and 1.5 scoring chances per game, moves the puck efficiently with an 86% pass completion rate, and contributes to puck retrievals and the transition game. His size, reach, and skating allow him to cover ice with North American pro pace and create shooting lanes, and he shows flashes of deception and skill when attacking off the rush or when he has time to operate in the offensive zone. A 2005 is old for the 2026 draft but I think Simonov could become an NHL player because true NHL-sized wingers under 21 years old who are already contributing at the KHL level is so rare that he is the only one. Plus his combination of length, puck skill, and offensive instincts gives him a foundation that NHL development staffs will be excited to work with. If he has the genetics to add 20-25 pounds of functional strength and learns to consistently leverage his frame in puck battles and net-front situations, his tools show a middle-six NHL winger who can contribute secondary scoring and while having defensive zone trust. My reasons for caution are centered around physical maturity and consistency. His puck battle win rate sits at 46%, which is modest for a player with his reach and clearly shows his need for time in the weight room, and he currently absorbs more contact than he delivers which is not sign for success in the NHL, meaning he’s a 6’3′ target. Offensively his game can become perimeter, and his giveaway rate exceeds his takeaways, which reflects moments of puck management / protection where his lack of strength is clearly impacting his offensive impact. Additionally, his ability to score remains light relative to the quality scoring chances he generates. Simonov’s projection ultimately depends on whether he can put on mass and add the strength required to consistently control space against NHL competition; if that happens, he has the size, skill, and pro experience to be an NHL winger, but lets be clear; you are not drafting him to be in the American league with extended time to develop. If he is drafted, Simonov will be expected to compete for an NHL role almost immediately because if you send him down he will be back home pretty quickly.