The one we know least about
Andrei Svetlakov is the Minnesota Wild’s Russian prospect we know the least about. As a 6-foot 203-pound center drafted in the sixth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft at 178th overall, there’s still plenty of time to get to know him.
Svetlakov was the other player that Paul Fenton spoke to personally hoping for some assurances on a future move to North America and the Minnesota Wild.
He has been splitting time between his KHL side, CSKA Moscow and Zvezda Moscow, a team playing in the VHL which is the Russian equivalent of the American Hockey League (AHL).
With 16 and 17 points through his previous two KHL seasons, each of the back of 37 appearances, it’s fair to say that he’ll be disappointed in himself this year. He sits on just 4 points through his first 18 KHL games this year.
He lays big hits, which is perfect for a player with a bit of size and has quite the blast on him. Unfortunately, there’s been less chances to fire it this season.
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The expectation would be that his size, playing style and point production will never translate to a top-six NHL role. Equally though, it’s not necessarily matched that well to a fourth-line role.
There would appear to be a definite future with the Minnesota Wild as a third-line center for Svetlakov, provided he can re-find that scoring touch a little.
For the forgotten man, in terms of the Russians on the Minnesota Wild radar, I guess it makes sense that his future is likely of a role-player and not a top-liner.
Coming from the sixth round though, that would be a steal.