I misspelled his name. It's Alexandre Ovechkin
http://www.russianprospects.com/public/profile.php?player_id=256
Talent Analysis:
(headshot photo source: RussianProspects.com exclusive photo)
Skating: A superb skater with excellent acceleration and top speed...has the ability to quickly accelerate to top speed...maintains a fast tempo throughout the game...very hard to knock down with the puck...skates well through traffic.
Shot: Possesses a strong, precise wrist shot...the release on the wrist shot is very quick and deceiving: he appears to shoot the puck low, but manages to wrist it to just underneath the cross bar...possesses a great, precise backhand...though not used as often, his slap shot is very strong, with a quick release...primarily uses the slap shot on the junior squad, when he comes out as the fourth forward during the power play.
Technical Ability: A terrific puck handler...possesses great hand to eye coordination...very soft hands Pass: Makes very precise passes, right on the stick...sees the ice very well and makes excellent passes...in junior competition, tends to skate on the net, taking two or three players with him, and then passing the puck off to the side to a wide open teammate. Hockey Sense: An already very mature player...terrific vision of the ice...great awareness of where his teammates are at all times.
Defensive Play: Ovechkin can be responsible defensively, however, defensive lapses do occur as a result of his primarily offense-minded approach...skates well backwards and uses his amazing acceleration to get back into the zone, but is usually also the first player out of the defensive zone on the offensive rush...has been more responsible defensively while playing for Super League’s Dynamo Moscow and the senior national team, thàn while with the U18 or U20 national teams.
Physical Play: At 6’3, Ovechkin is a physical power forward who has had to deal with being double teamed on the junior level for the past three seasons...solidly built and can take many hits without losing the puck...fights very well at the boards...though not known for hitting, can deliver strong hits at the boards and by the opponent’s crease.
NHL Outlook:
Alexander Ovechkin missed the 2003 NHL Entry Draft eligibility date by just a day. He is a lock for the first overall spot in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, and if made eligible for the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, even at that point in his development, he would have still likely vied for the top spot.
Ovechkin is NHL ready and, barring a lockout, the talented super-star-in-the-making will be on NHL ice during the 2004-05 season.
RP Draft Projection:
first overall pick
