Photo: Regina Pats
He’s a lock to win rookie of the year in the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season. Alexander Suzdalev led all WHL rookies in goals (38), assists (48), points (86), power play goals (17), and power play assists (19), and tied for first in points per-game (1.30).
But first things first. The Regina Pats named Alexander Suzdalev their Nick Pappas Rookie of the Year on Monday.
Suz-Your-Daddy!! Alexander Suzdalev pulls off The Michigan. His 29th goal of the season #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/kwh8qB2uRf
— Capitals Prospects (@jon_m_sorensen) February 18, 2023
The Khabarovsk, RUS product recorded 29 multi-point efforts and seven multi-goal games this season. The 6-foot-3, 171 lb. winger was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the third-round of the 2021 NHL Draft before joining Regina.
🚨 SUZY GOES BETWEEN THE LEGS 🚨
We are tied at 2!#LegendsInTheMaking | @Capitals | @TheWHL pic.twitter.com/CtaLxz9Ctk
— Regina Pats (@WHLPats) January 15, 2023
Suzdalev was also named the season’s second star for the Regina Pats. Connor Bedard took top honors.
Suzdalev and the Regina Pats open the WHL postseason against the Saskatoon Blades on Friday night.
Great job Suds. Hershey next year?
Suz your daddy! I think one more in WHL, but he could probably make the jump to the A. His most needed lessons reside in The A.
Grab him, start the year in South Carolina then move to Hershey.
Yeah, I think your right. He’s hit the flat part of the development curve in the WHL.
The question I have Jon, is how is his play away from the puck? I’ve read that he has been called “disinterested” when he doesn’t have the biscuit. His offensive skills have always been apparent, but perhaps the Caps want him to stay in the WHL another year, to work on his 200ft game. I plan to watch all of the Pats playoff games, so I’ll report back on that later. One thing is for sure though. The Pats have the 4th worst defense in the WHL, with 277 GA, in a league that is the most NHL like of the CHL
“For all of the good with the puck that Suzdalev brings to the table, his play away from the puck leaves a lot to be desired. While he’s able to box out his opponent at times due to his size and speed combination, his reads defensively are far from where they need to be if he is going to cut it in the NHL where only the most dominant high-end offensive talents can get away without being at the very least average on the defensive side of the puck.
Even when his team has the puck but it’s not on his stick, Suzdalev sometimes looks to be disengaged or almost listless in all three zones. This isn’t always the case, of course, but it’s certainly something that scouts will notice when evaluating him as a player who could make it to the next level one day.”
https://thehockeywriters.com/alexander-suzdalev-2022-nhl-draft-profile/
I’ve watched over 40+ of his games so far this season and that’s not my take at all. He said in an intermission interview early in the season that he learned a lot at Caps camps and knows what he needs to work on to make it to the next level (as directed by Caps development coaches), so maybe he knew about those claims then.
Because he is a complete free spirit on the ice sometimes that burns him (behind the back pass gets picked off, etc.) but I think the Regina coaches are doing the right thing by letting him be himself, not stifling his creativity and working with him on certain structural parts of his gsme in practices.
His puck battling needs work, but he knows about that. He’s still a teenager, and frankly, that’s a common shortcoming for a player his age.
Makes sense. The article I quoted was pre-draft, so maybe he has worked on it this year.
Makes sense. The article I quoted was pre-draft, so maybe he worked on it this year.
Can’t wait to see him in DC!!! STUD
It really depends on his age. If he is eligible to play in the A, then he moves. Otherwise it is NHL or WHL. This is the same predicament that Wilson was in years ago and why he was forced into a 4th line role in DC. Team is different now so we likely won’t do that.
Because he is from Europe, the age rule doesn’t apply to him.
Oh… didn’t know that. Learned something today. Thanks! In that case, send him to Hershey! He doesn’t need to be in SC.
Was using the procedure Hershey followed with Bear Hughes. Don’t know Hershey ages but the Rays’ average is 25 with youngest 21, fourteen between 22 and 24, ten aged 25, twelve between 26 and 28, with 2 over 30. Young team with coaches very much geared towards entry and development.
No problem! The “age rule” is so convoluted, but it’s intentions are good (keeping the CHL stocked with exciting players)
He just turned 19 on March 5.
The NHL and CHL Agreement, which states a signed player aged 18 or 19 who was claimed from a CHL club and is not retained by the NHL club, must be assigned to the CHL junior club whom he last played for or owes a contractual obligation.
So I think if we signed (claimed) him from his Swedish team (not just being from Europe) then we can promote him. If he got to the CHL first then got signed, no.
Do I have this right? It’s where he was when signed not when drafted?