NHL Scouts’ Quotes -Khusnutdinov and Evangelista
April 28, 2020
By Grant McCagg
Marat Khustnutdinov – C SKA MHL 2002-07-17 5-8.25 176
2019-20 Stats – 44 13 25 38 16 Shoots Left
NHL scout April 2020 – A good two-way player. End of the first is a good spot for him. His skating is unreal. He’s 5-8, and out of all of the smaller guys, I think he may have the best chance of being a centerman. His edge work and his skating make it not as noticeable that he’s 5-8. It’s hard in meetings because I say Perfetti and Rossi will be wingers, but then his name comes up and I say: ‘Well, I think he can play center.’
NHL scout April 2020 – I think he is a really good. He’s smart, great skater. His height is the million dollar question for me. He could skate circles around Rossi, but Rossi has way more offence obviously. He’s well thought of; he wears an A or a letter everywhere he plays. I have a lot of time for the kid. I know the size is a bit of an issue. I think he has a chance to be a top-nine forward; he skates too well. He could go in the first, I can’t argue that. He’s a good little player…strong, smart, has leadership qualities. He plays well at both ends. It’s new times…if you can skate like that you have a chance of being an impactful player no matter your size. He may end up being the best Russian skater in the draft.
Luke Evangelista – RW London OHL 2002-02-21 5-11 166
2019-20 Stats – 62 23 38 61 12 Shoots Right
NHL Scout April 2020 – He’s going to go higher than you think. He’s a good player. I think next year he’s on the ice in all situations. I may like him better than Bordeleau. He’s 5-11, doesn’t play small, still a little weak. I think there’s upside there. He had a helluva second half. He’s not hard by any means, but good pace, he’s okay. I give him credit for what he’s done. I think playing in London will raise his stock. He played with McMichael and company, but you’ve got to be a smart player to play with good players. I like his pace, I like his hockey sense. The big question mark for me was the risk factor in how willing he was to battle for loose pucks and create loose pucks. He knew what to do when he got it, but can he go get some of them instead of waiting for it?
NHL Scout April 2020 – He has really good skill, really good hockey sense, smart but I think he is soft. A silver spoon kid. Not sure he will embrace the grind. I like his skill, but it’s not hard skill.