Get To Know Nikolai Chebykin
Fwd – Undetermined Height – undetermined Weight – Age 18 (Aug 1st Birthday)
Drafted 7th Round – 182nd Overall
For their last pick of the 2016 NHL draft the Leafs went back to Russia with one of their many players that were passed over their in their first draft. Nikolai Chebykin is listed as being 6 foot and anywhere from 182lbs to 209lbs and anywhere from 6ft to 6ft3, this is the discrepancy you find sometimes in less regulated markets like Russia.
Another prospect who has a bigger frame and the speed to make use of it. A natural goal scorer, Chebykin likes to carry the puck and has a shifty wrist shot but overall has several holes in his game and will be a big project for Mark Hunter and company. Last season – his first draft eligible season – he only managed 6pts in 32 games for Russia’s top junior league the MHL. This season he led his team with 35pts in 39 games which was a nice 29pt jump.
Get To Know Nicolas Mattinen
Def – 6ft4 – 220lbs – Age 18 – Shoots Right
Drafted 6th Round – 179th Overall
Mark Hunter goes back to his own backyard in drafting the hulking London Knights defenceman. Nicolas Mattinen was buried on a deep Knights blue line, only playing in 39 games while a healthy scratch fro most of the season.
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Mattinen made good use of his limited time, scoring 4G 10pts 24PIM and going +4 over those 39 games. With some pieces of their Memorial Cup Winning team moving on, Mark Hunter clearly expects – and can influence – Mattinen getting a much more prominent role with the Knights.
Mattinen is a typical, big-bodied, stay at home defender who loves to play the body and absolutely demolish the opposition. He’s an average skater for someone of his size, but his reach and hockey IQ makes up for any lack of mobility as he is excellent at using his stick to break up plays.
Somewhat surprising for a typical stay at home defender, is his heavy NHL calibre slap shot. While he’s not going to be blowing pucks by NHL goalies with any kind of regularity, his slapshot consistently makes it through traffic and he manages to keep it low to the ice.
This makes it very difficult for goalies to control and often generates excellent rebounds and second chance opportunities for his teammates. With an early birthday and the chance for much more playing time next season, Mattinen is an intriguing late round choice with some very clear upside for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Only time will tell with this prospect, but he bears watching.
Next: Picks No.8&9