Nikita A .Popugaev
Position: Right Wing (Right)
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 203 pound
Birthdate: 1998-11-20
Team: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Scouting Report:
Coming into his second WHL season with the Moose Jaw Warriors, the 25th overall pick in the 2015 CHL import draft has started looked as if he has started to come into his own through the early goings of the season. A player who I would describe as a one dimensional offensive threat, Popugaev’s size and shot has proven to be intimidating to opposing goalies. An expected top 20 pick in this year’s NHL draft, Popugaev has begun the year anchoring Noah Gregor’s right wing. As a late ’98 Popugaev was unable to participate in any international U18 tournaments this summer but seems to have found the time to improve on many other things in the off season. A player with heavily under rated edge work and agility, Popugaev has been very impressive through his first few games and has averaged well above a point per game. The biggest thing that stood out to me in Popugaev’s game was his ability to dominate the perimeter play with puck protection and the ability to win one on one battles with his size. While I feel like he has the build to be a dominant power forward, I feel that he plays a much more offensively skilled game with less physicality. Something that caught my eye was how he was utilized on the power-play, his right shot was utilized on the right of the ice and his shot/playmaking off the wall seemed to be the main focus that the Warriors continuously attempted to use. Moving forward Popugaev will need to continue this pace to maintain a top 20 spot in this year’s NHL Draft. Personally I would like to see Popugaev work on his intensity outside of the offensive zone as well as becoming a more physical threat as a 6-foot-6 winger.
Strengths:
– Big Kid
– Excellent vision entering the zone
– Under rated edge work
– Great release
– Outstanding Shot
– Finds shooting lanes well
– Dangerous offensive threat every time he enters the zone
– Quick Hands
– Great perimeter play
– Uses hands and size to create ice
– Wins most one on one battles
Weaknesses:
-Not physical enough
-One dimensional player
-Lacks intensity at times
-Lacks consistency
-Doesn’t like the wide drive
-Foot speed (Not Slow though)
Projection (If plays a full 72 games): 29G-47A-76Pts
