Photo: HV71
The Washington Capitals selected left-wing Alexander Suzdalev with their third-round pick (70th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. The Capitals acquired the pick as part of the trade that sent goaltender Vitek Vanecek to the New Jersey Devils on Friday morning.
Suzdalev, 18, is a left-hander listed at 6’2” and 176 pounds. He spent last season with HV71 junior 20 team in Sweden.
Suzdalev, a native of Khabarovsk, Russia, posted 15 goals, 51 points, and a +10 rating in 45 games this season. He added a -1 rating in six World Junior games for Sweden and one goal and two points in 12 international junior games.
He also notched three goals, four points, and a -1 rating in five postseason games for the J18 team and three goals and four points in five playoff outings for the J20 team.
NHL Central Scouting ranked Suzdalev 26th overall among European skaters and TSN’s Bob McKenzie ranked him 89th among all draft prospects.
Suzdalev is a skilled winger with a heavy offensive punch. He skates with a wide base and can generate strong speed with just a couple of powerful strides. Has displayed the ability to cut, weave, and shift his way through traffic. He possesses a hard shot with a deceptive release and an equally dangerous backhander. Suzdalev is creative and confident with the puck on his stick, using subtle hand dekes and shiftiness to embarrass defenders with his one-on-one ability. He puts in a full effort on the defensive side as well.
Swedish winger with good size, skills, and offensive upside. Quickly gets up ice in his fast, long ice-eating stride. Has soft fast hands, played very little in the World Junior U-18. Long term developmental prospect who needs more confidence and drive.
Alexander Suzdalev’s stick-handling is 🔥.
Look at how he evades pressure. As soon as the attacker comes to him, he shifts the puck over. He’s got great reach. Allows him to net quality separation. #2022NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/UcgifeN9fW
— Josh Tessler 🇺🇦 (@JoshTessler_) June 2, 2022
He will likely be at the team’s development camp at MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Virginia next week.
The Capitals took left-wing Ivan Miroshnichenko 20th overall and defenseman Ryan Chesley 37th. They also have picks 149, 181, and 219 remaining, barring any trades.
Graphic: Patrick Bacon
By Harrison Brown
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“defenseman Ryan Chelsea 37th. ”
Chelsea?
Huh? I don’t follow.
The defenseman we drafted is named Ryan Chesley. His last name is misspelled in the article.
In this article? This is about Suzdalev. Let me know where you see typo.
The Capitals took left-wing Ivan Miroshnichenko 20th overall and defenseman Ryan Chesley 37th. They also have picks 149, 181, and 219 remaining, barring any trades.
Someone has now corrected it. It originally said Chelsea. If there is a better way of doing it, let me know.
I’m not trying to get anyone upset and I hope I’m not, but if I see an error I point it out.
This one Im lost on. Is he a scorer only, can he play any D, how is his speed and agility and puck handeling. Appears he has a shot but is it from outside or does he get his points off rebounds and things around the net? If he is in camp does that mean he will probably end up in Hershey?
Also another Danny Brooks (scout) find. He’s been doing really well.
I’ve been very impressed with Brooks’s work to date for the Capitals. Has a good handle on Europe/ Sweden and does very well with college free agent signings. (Snively, Nardella, Ethan Franks, etc.)