Sliding Down the Draft Board: Dmitri Sokolov

ZUG, SWITZERLAND – APRIL 23: Russia’s Dmitri Sokolov #18 attempts to let a shot go while losing his balance during quarterfinal round action against Switzerland at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship.

Photo by: Francois Laplante/HHOF-IIHF Images

Dmitri Sokolov started the year high on a lot of draft rankings. Last season I did a couple of posts about prospects moving on the draft board. The two big ones were Matthew Barzal and Nikita Korostelev. Those can be found at Frozen Futures.

At the start of the 2015 season, Dmitri Sokolov gained a strong following with his play in the Russian juniors and a very strong performances at the U17 World Hockey Challenge and the U18 World Championship. His play with Avangard Omsk U17 and Omskie Yastreby gave promise to his North American play.

Sokolov really took hold of the game when he played in Russia. He liked to dictate the pace and have his teammates feed off of him. Although he does lead the Sudbury Wolves this year in goals created, according to CHLStats.com, he seems to be lacking the finesse that he had in Russia in the OHL this year.

Does he deserve the fall that he is experiencing on the draft boards this season? Taking a closer look at his play, he might.

His play isn’t keeping up with the fast pace, high scoring Ontario Hockey League. He can still make plays and beat defenders, but many of them have come when there has been a boost in hustle by the players on the ice. Now, there is some strong hockey IQ there to take advantage of tired defenders, but what he needs to do is prove he can make the play against the fresh defender.

Players in the NHL are going to have higher stamina and will last longer by taking quicker shifts compared to the OHL. Sokolov has shown the potential to be a fast quarterback type and needs to slim down a bit in order to be that player.

Sokolov should take advantage of his stellar shot as well. His 50 total shots on goal rank 60th in the OHL this year. His success at the 2014 WHC was largely due to his speed and his terrific shot.

His success comes down low in the slot, as well as on the sides.

Will Bitten #41 of the Flint Firebirds takes warmup prior to a game against the Mississauga Steelheads on October 4, 2015 at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

Oct. 3, 2015 – Source: Graig Abel/Getty Images North America

What doesn’t help Sokolov is the poor offense of the Sudbury Wolves. Once again they find themselves at the bottom of the league in terms of shot attempt differential (specifically Fenwick), goals for, and have the most goals against in the OHL. So not all is to blame on Sokolov. The fewer opportunities one has to score, the fewer goals one will have.

An argument against an offensive star with a poor offensive team is Will Bitten. Will Bitten has been doing just about everything for the Flint Firebirds this season.

The Firebirds are in the bottom 10 in the league for goals for and shots for, and a front office/coaching fiasco to boot; however, Will Bitten 9th in the league in goals created (8.55), 13th in the league in points (25) and tied for 13th in goals (10). He has carried the Firebirds this year. These stats per CHLStats.com

Dmitri Sokolov doesn’t even lead the Wolves in points. Defenseman Patrick Murphy has 5 goals and 9 assists where Sokolov has 6 goals and 7 assists.

There is still plenty of time in the season for Sokolov to catch a streak or two and become a force in the OHL. Until then, he’ll find himself falling outside of some top 30 rankings.