Quoting: jnowariak
I’m looking at his stat line and seeing mid 6 upside, which is something to shake a stick at, but it’s by no means likely unless he can replicate his performance in the KHL next year. My point with Kaprizov, aside from tamping expectations, is that Kirill was playing full KHL seasons since his D-1 year. It took Gritsyuk until his D2 year to accomplish that and his production wasn’t outstanding in any one year. I’d compare him to a guy from the CHL that makes a jump in his D1 year as an overager to stay relevant, those guys can make it but are rarely more than replacement level players.
A couple of seasons ago, he was a recent 5th rounder playing alongside an undrafted prospect in their junior leagues. The two linemates put up monster seasons, as they had done in U16 and U17 together. Both among the top scorers. Gritsyuk was already drafted but Chinakhov was taken in 1st round as an overager in next draft.
Last season, in a pandemic year, Gritsyuk couldn't get into lineup much because Avangard was loaded with veterans (including two former #1 overall picks). He was also probably Russia's best forward until he got hurt at world juniors. So between international tournaments, quarantines, roster shuffling, he did not play much.
This year, while playing for a top team, he became one of Avangard's most important players, was the KHL's leading young player and was the youngest forward brought to the Olympics (The KHL sent their guys).
A drive-by of his stats does not tell his story at all.
Gritsyuk would be Minnesota's #2 prospect.