2018 NHL Draft Profile: Grigori Denisenko

Grigori Denisenko has the ability to be one of several impact players in the 2018 NHL Draft

The 2018 NHL Draft is going to be a very deep one. It features a lot of talented players. Russian forward Grigori Denisenko has a very special skill set. His skating, creativity, and puck handling skills should make him a success in the NHL. But, like most Russians, there is a fair question that has to be asked – will he come over to North America?

Denisenko dominated the MHL (the equivalent of the AHL in Russia) and was impressive during several international tournaments. Most years, he’d be pushing to be a top 15 pick. But in this draft, he might fall to the lower part of the first-round.

Prospect Profile

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Height: 5’10” (179 cm)
Weight: 165 pounds (75 kilograms)
Team: Loko Yaroslavl (MHL)
Country: Russia
Position: Left Wing
Handedness: Right-handed
Date of birth: June 24, 2000
MHL regular season stats: 31 games played, nine goals, 13 assists, 22 points
MHL postseason stats: 12 games, five goals, two assists, seven points
U18 stats: 14 games, six goals, five assists, 11 points
Consensus Prospect Ranking: 17

All profile info is courtesy of Elite Prospects.

Strengths

Denisenko is an excellent skater. He’s both fast and quick, though he’s faster than he is quick. His acceleration is impressive as well. Denisenko looked very comfortable in the MHL, dominating with his high-level skill. He’s an extremely creative player who can do a lot of damage.

In terms of raw talent, Denisenko is indisputably a top 10 player in the draft. However, there are some factors that will cause him to fall in the draft. Do they outweigh the good? That’s an important question to consider when evaluating any prospect. But it’s especially relevant with Denisenko.

Weaknesses

Sometimes, he gets a bit too creative with the puck. William Nylander had the same issue but has developed into a dangerous player. So that’s encouraging to see. But still, it’s worth noting Denisenko’s on-ice maturity has to be better.

There’s also his size. Teams like size. Guys like Johnny Gaudreau and Alex Debrincat tend to fall through the cracks due to size issues. I wouldn’t be too concerned about his frame because Denisenko plays smart for his size. He’s good at avoiding contact. But it’s something that will be seen as a weakness by NHL teams.

I’m not impressed at all by his defense. But then again, I suppose that’s why he’s a wing. Denisenko will have to improve enough defensively to the point that he’s not a liability there anymore. With that said, his potential on offense is outstanding, so he might be worth the risk.

There is the “Russian” factor, which sadly still exists. But if Denisenko joins the CHL, which appears likely, that should help get rid of that ugly narrative.

What They’re Saying About Him

"“A creative player with the puck who can dart in and out of the lanes with expert edgework, quick acceleration and creative lines. Slight stature but enjoys engaging.” Cam Robinson (DobberProspects)"

Overall Outlook

A lot of his weaknesses aren’t true weaknesses. Sure, Denisenko is raw. But a lot of prospects are. And very few of them are as talented and skilled as Denisenko. I think the weaknesses are enough to potentially push him to the second round. But if he’s drafted there, whoever drafts him will consider him a steal. And roughly 30 NHL teams will probably question why they didn’t draft him.

Next: Top 100 Prospects in the 2018 NHL Draft

Player Comparison

From the moment I saw Denisenko play, he reminded me of Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames. Now, Gaudreau is probably the ceiling for a guy like him. But that just shows how good an undersized player like Denisenko can be. That’s purely a stylistic comparison, by the way.

For more of our NHL Draft Profiles, check out our 2018 NHL Draft hub page.