A lot of the talk around this year’s draft revolves around the forwards, and for good reason, however there are still some fantastic defensive prospects like the one were discussing today. After dominating the MHL, Russia’s version of the AHL, Mikhail Gulyayev will look to prove his worth at the top levels of hockey.
At 5-10 170 pounds he is undersized, especially for a defenseman, but he is able to use his other abilities to make up for this fact. While he has a lot of maturing to do in his game, he is an interesting prospect that every team should be talking about.
Pre-Draft Rankings
No. 15 by FC Hockey
No. 16 by The Athletic (Scott Wheeler)
No. 19 by Sportsnet
No. 24 by TSN (Bob McKenzie)
No. 25 by Elite Prospects
Statistics
What’s to like?
Without a doubt Gulyayev’s best quality is his skating ability. He is very quick and uses that speed in all areas of the ice. He is also able to control the puck at these high speeds which makes him especially dangerous in transition and in the neutral zone. Once he’s in the offensive zone, he has great playmaking abilities to find teammates and get pucks to the net.
Another area where Gulyayev is able to excel is on the power play. He uses all the skills mentioned above to find the open man, and always seems to make the right play. He can walk the line with the best of them and is able to swap positions with teammates seamlessly. He makes players around him better, especially with the man advantage.
What’s not to like?
Obviously the downfall of an offensive defenseman is that they tend to struggle in the defensive zone. This is true of Gulyayev but he is usually able to use his speed to recover in most situations. Nonetheless, it will be crucial for him to learn how to pick his spots at the next level, as far as jumping in the rush. Every mistake is magnified in the NHL, especially as a defenseman, and Gulyayev is absolutely going to need to learn to limit those mistakes.
How would he fit in the Flyers system?
Every team could use a defenseman like this, especially in todays NHL. He’s the type of player who can instantly elevate a teams power play and frankly a player the Flyers haven’t had since Shayne Gostisbehere burst on the scene.
If paired with the right defensive partner, he has the potential to be a game changing player. There are some uncertainties surrounding him, which we’ll discuss later, but one thing that can’t be argued is that he is one of the best defenseman available in this draft.
Could the Flyers actually get him?
Most scouts have him going somewhere in the top 20 but there are definitely some hesitations to consider. First the elephant in the room is the fact that he’s Russian, and we all (Flyers fans in particular) know well the worries surrounding Russian born players in this draft. Another thing to consider is that he is under contract until the 2024-25 season with the KHL team Avangard Omsk. With all this uncertainty I wouldn’t be shocked if he falls in the draft, that being said depending on the players still in the board, I think the Flyers would take a minute to discuss drafting Gulyayev.
What scouts are saying
“Gulyayev is a highly-intelligent and creative puck-mover and can make tough plays at a quick pace. He creates a lot of controlled exits and entries, he projects to run power plays at higher levels and be a point producer versus men.” – Corey Pronman, The Athletic
“In the offensive end, Gulyayev maneuvers around the ice with great mobility, picking appropriate opportunities to drive to the net for either a shot or to open up a lane to hit a winger on the opposite side with a cross-ice pass. He possesses a solid shot but will make his money from his playmaking and puck distribution.” – Nick Richard, Dobber Prospects
“Gulyayev is an exciting offensive-leaning defenseman whose play revolves around his ability to move with the puck. His first few steps are explosive as he’s able to generate great speed with the puck.” – Jake Janso, FC Hockey
We’re making one more addition to the poll, and folks, it’s a nepo baby. Welcome Ethan Gauthier (son of former NHLer Denis Gauthier)!
He brings a lot to the table. He’s a versatile, hardworking player who excels in pretty much every facet of the game, gets to the middle of the ice, and makes plays around the net through skill and timing. He’s consistent shift-to-shift and game-to-game and while he might lack the dynamism of some of the players in front of him here, he can make plays in a variety of ways on and off the puck and the ice usually tilts in his team’s favour when he’s out there. He’s going to be an NHLer — I think the bigger question is whether he’s going to be more of a middle-six or a top-six one. I think the former outcome is the more likely, which is why I’d probably steer clear of him in the teens or early 20s (where some believe he belongs). He’s a good, effective hockey player though, there’s no question about that. – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
Who should be No. 23 on the Community Draft Board?