The 18-year-old, big body winger is still available after the first round of the draft.
Somehow, Igor Chernyshov has slid down draft boards despite many considering him a first-round talent.
The 6-foot-2 Russian winger dominated in the Russian juniors showcasing a high-end offensive game with strong skating and puck work.
“He’s a really skilled player,” one scout told The Hockey News. “I go back and forth on him. The way he does things is just natural. He’s a big guy who leads with his skill, but his skating and hockey sense are right up there, too.”
However, there are concerns with a bit too much play on the perimeter as scouts would like to see him better utilize his size.
Although Chernyshov didn't have much success in his first stint in the KHL, he only averaged around 8:19 per game and the league is notoriously difficult for young players.
Overall, this is a player who many scouts see as having a really high upside due to his offensive toolkit.
And because of his size, there's also a thought that he could adapt to the NHL game and style a bit easier too.
“His skill and desire to go to the net are good,” another scout told The Hockey News. “He’s really strong.”
What are the experts saying?
Tony Ferrari (The Hockey News): "Chernyshov is a jack of all trades and a master of none, which may have given NHL clubs some pause. But with a non-stop motor, he gets everything he can out of all of his tools. As the season wore on, he became more and more comfortable at the KHL level and proved to be a nice asset in the bottom six. He plays a pro-style game, plays with pace and could be a really nice middle-six complementary winger."
Steven Ellis (Daily Faceoff): "Chernyshov didn’t play much when he was in the KHL, but he got better as the season wore on. Among his age group, Chernyhsov was one of the best of the best. What stands out here is just how strong he is and how he leverages that to become a noticeable power forward. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound winger attacks defenders with purpose and has a nice toolkit to build upon. He’s still raw, but Chernyshov has some middle-six potential."
