Yesterday the NHL revealed the list of players who made the October Central Scouting ‘Players to watch’ list. The complete list has a total of 108 draft eligible players who currently play in the CHL. 33 QMJHL, 27 WHL and the OHL leads the way with 48 players. (OHL RULES!)
Each player listed is assigned a rating. The way the ratings work is simple:
- A rating assigned to players expected to go in the 1st round of the NHL Draft.
- B rating assigned to players expected to go in the 2nd/3rd round of the NHL Draft.
- C rating is assigned to players expected to go in the 4th/5th/6th round of the NHL Draft
- LV assigned to players not really viewed yet. Usually injury related.
Only 6 players in the OHL received an ‘A rating’ and Barrie Colts forward Andrei Svechnikov was one of them.
Svechnikov was selected 1st overall by the Barrie Colts at the 2017 CHL Import Draft. Though, the rookie has only played in 5 OHL regular season games, posting 3 goals and 2 assists, he has been highly touted, having played some incredible hockey in Russian leagues, and for Russia at WHC and WJC tournaments.
Svechnikov has shown early he can do everything. He is a great skater with great vision and is dangerous even when he doesn’t have the puck. He is willing to make a big hit and has been a huge plus for the team on the penalty kill. Look for him to get picked as early as top 3.
Date of Birth - 2000-03-26
Birthplace - Barnaul, RUS
Position - RW
Shoots - L
Height - 6'2"
Weight - 187 lbs
The next Barrie Colts player to crack the list is Kirill Nizhnikov. Kirill has had high expectations since the Colts picked him up for almost two handfuls of picks last year in a deal with Mississauga. The Steelheads selected him 7th overall at the 2016 OHL Priority Selection Daft. Last season, Nizhnikov struggled with injury problems that really effected his ability to get any real momentum. That being said, he still managed to 12 goals and 7 assists in 43 games. This season, he has gotten off to a strong start putting up 4 assists in 5 games. No doubt he will only improve since the team brought in both Svechnikov and Lipanov, who Niz has played most the early season with.
Niz got a B ranking. He looks great early this season and no doubt having fellow Russian players with skill on his line will only better his game as the season progresses. Niz is fast and strong on the puck with a great ability to make plays. Look for him to get drafted early in the 2nd round, or even late in the 1st.
Date of Birth - 2000-03-29
Birthplace - Moskva, RUS
Position - RW
Shoots - L
Height - 6'1"
Weight - 190 lbs
The third, and final player to crack the list is forward Curtis Douglas. If you were to suggest early last season the Douglas would make this list, most Colts fans would have probably questioned it. Douglas showed improvement last year as the season progressed and has been incredible since the start of this year’s camp. With guys like Svechnikov, Lipanov and Suzuki in, this year’s team was harder to make and Douglas has brought his best effort. Douglas got 9 points in 53 games last year. This season, the 6’8 forward has 4 points in 5 games.
Douglas got a C rating. He has really learned how to use his size. Last season he looked awkward at times but that hasn’t been the case this year. He uses his big stride to help his team start rushes and doesn’t rush plays while carrying the puck. Look for Curtis to go late in the 6th round.
Date of Birth - 2000-03-06
Birthplace – Oakville, ON
Position - C
Shoots - L
Height - 6'8"
Weight - 201 lbs
One thing we found interesting was that Colts defenceman Tyler Tucker was excluded from this list. The Colts blue-liner was a fan favourite last season and put up 14 points over his 62-game rookie season. He has shown improvement in training camp before earning a suspension to start off the regular season. Tyler returns to the line-up on Friday Night.
For the complete list of players who made the NHL Central Scouting list, click here.
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