Talent Analysis

Slick puck carrier, creative passer and courageous goal scorer. Khokhlachev has a knack for surveying the ice, disguising his intensions and then distributing the puck to the best option. Without the puck, he’s willing to get to the dirty areas and has an explosive release, making him a dangerous finisher as well. Defensive work is spotty, as a winger he’s prone to losing his man, as a center he struggles to read the coverage. Skating is also a mixed bag, some things he does very well; he has good acceleration, crosses over well, good top-speed, he can stop on a dime, and he’s able to shake defenders by opening up his hips, putting his skates at “3” and “9” o’clock a la Jeff Skinner, but he also lacks elite top-speed, struggles with changes in direction and with skating backwards in general.


Future

Khokhlachev was the youngest player in the NHL draft, and will actually still be 17 at the start of Boston’s rookie camp. As such, he still has some developing to do, both physically and mentally. He loves the game and has shown a remarkable commitment to his craft, leaving his home country, walking away from celebrity status in Russia, coming to play Canadian junior hockey, taking private English lessons... and still his NHL viability was questioned at the draft. However, the Bruins are convinced he’s got what it takes to persevere and make it to the big league. Chiarelli says his game reminds him of a young Scott Gomez.