DALLAS (TX) – New York continues to scoop up talented wingers, picking up their third in just the first round selecting Grigori Denisenko.
The Russian native is known to be lethal in the offensive zone when he has the puck on his stick, making highlight-reel plays himself rather than waiting for the play to develop. His craftiness doesn’t just make him a sharpshooter, as he’s a smart playmaker that finds room to thread when the moment seems to be closing.
The talented right-hander put up 9-13-22 in 31 games with MHL’s Loko Yaroslavl, contributing an additional seven points in 12 playoff games to win the championship.
He has tremendous upside and the pick at #28 should be considered steal considering his draft stock coming into the event this year.
Hockeyprospect.com has him coming in at #15, while Future Considerations and ISS Hockey predicted he’d go 18th overall. McKeen’s hockey saw this coming, tabbing him as the 27th best pick in the draft, but the NHL Central Scouting for EU has him as 7th best European skater – via Elite Prospects.
Though it’s for sure an enticing pick New York should be excited about, it’s not all roses. There’s a reason he fell to #28th. Though highly skillful, Denisenko is considered by some as “an inconsistent player lacking an all-around game, so some maturation is needed, both cerebrally and physically.” (NBC Sports)
Turning 18 on June 24th, it’s not shocking that he would need some molding and guidance coming into the world’s greatest league. The NHL is bigger, faster, stronger than any other league in the world, so he’ll have to add some weight and mental toughness to round out his game, something New York should have no problem addressing.
Could this be an inclination of some big moves coming? The Rangers were looking for some help on defense and with the addition of three wingers with their first three picks, there are rumblings that they might go after a big name defensemen. Can anyone think of a generational talent on defense who’s currently trying to leave their team because it’s in absolute disarray and they’d rather join their fellow swedish countryman in New York who happens to be the best looking goalie in the league? I might have an idea.
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