Los Angeles has shown they are not afraid to take a flier on a faller. For example, Francesco Pinelli, who the Kings took in the second round, was projected as a first-round pick. Gabriel Vilardi was slated as a top-five pick until he fell to 11th. Nick Ebert, another projected top-five pick at the start of his draft season, fell all the way to Mr. Irrelevant status where he was picked by the Kings in 2012.
Focusing on the faller aspect, one can never “plan” a top player to land on a team’s lap. It undoubtedly happens, though. With the Kings picking at No. 19, they are in a prime position to have a prospect drop unexpectedly or use assets to move up.
Pavel Mintyukov
Vitals
Date of Birth: November 25, 2003
Height: 6’1
Weight: 192 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Defense
2021-22 Season
Mintyukov spent the season with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He had 62 points (17 G, 45 A) in 67 games.
Spirited Away
Mintyukov was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. He has developed in the Russian system until he was taken by the Saginaw Spirit in the CHL Import Draft in 2020. The North American debut was delayed, however, when the Ontario Hockey League was completely shut down due to COVID.
Committed
Following up on the shut down, take note of the options some North American skaters had last year. The Kings drafted two players, Clarke and Pinelli, who played in Slovakia and Slovenia respectively to get playing time in. Mintyukov could have returned home to Russia or tried plying his trade elsewhere, yet opted to stay and practice with Saginaw in the hopes the season would begin. One of the biggest concerns or discussions with the “Russian Factor” in hockey communities is how lucrative a Russian player’s career opportunity is to stay home and get a contract for the KHL. It then becomes a point of question, “When will he come to North America?” The skilled Russian already traveled here, and his eyes appear set on making the NHL.
Encumbered
Mintyukov did the best he could to carry Saginaw to the playoffs. He led the entire team in scoring, and was third overall in blueline scoring. Unfortunately, the team only mustered 49 points in 68 games and was ranked second to last in defense, allowing 4.5 goals per game.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
Ranked No 7 by Elite Prospects. “’As one might imagine, those puck skills coupled with an enthusiasm for activating into the play made Mintyukov an exceptional puck-mover, too. He was downright clinical in transition, going through the motions on a breakout like they were routine; deceive on the retrieval, leave a forechecker or two behind with handling skill, and get the puck up ice with pace. It just looked easy for him.”
Ranked No. 18 by Corey Pronman.“Mintyukov is an exciting defenseman. He plays with pace and is aggressive as a rusher. His skating allows him to evade pressure easily and transition pucks up ice with his feet. Mintyukov is also highly skilled and can make plays through legs and sticks. He shows good offensive IQ, knowing when to activate and how to make plays with the puck. He also has a hard point shot, making him dangerous on the PP with his skating and vision. Defensively he’s solid, showing an ability to use his long reach, mobility and physicality to kill plays. He can be a little too aggressive at times trying to create offense when he leaves his defensive position. He projects as a top-four defenseman with the potential to play high in the lineup.”
Ranked No. 13 by Last Word on Sports. “Mintyukov has the size, skill, and physical tools to be a number one defenceman in the NHL. However, he is a bit of a risky pick as there are questions about his defensive game and this may limit him. The reality though is that with good coaching and development, his defensive game can be improved. He has an intriguing package of raw skills and with the proper development plan can really excel. Mintyukov is a November birthdate, so he only needs to play one more season in the OHL, before being eligible for the AHL in 2023-24. A season of junior and at least a year of AHL hockey would really help him to refine the finer points of his game. His style is reminiscent of P.K. Subban, but this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.”
See For Yourself
Here is a shift by shift video of Pavel Mintyukov.
Final Comments
Mintyukov is a skilled, left-shot defenseman. He checks a lot of boxes for the Kings, and that automatically puts him on their radar. The first question is whether or not he will fall to 19? If not, would Rob Blake be receptive to trade assets to move up and nab him? Putting aside his gaudy numbers, it’s important to look at why he would be a good fit.
One of the biggest signs of maturity and dependability of a player is how well they play within their means. This means not overhandling the puck, trying to do too much, or taking risks one is capable of recovering from. This quality is usually found within less skilled players, yet Mintyukov keeps a healthy balance of challenging the opposition offensively while playing a respectable and responsible game defensively.
The Russian-born blueliner has a healthy level of confidence, drive, and trust in his teammates where he pinches in at various times to push the play and create chances. Defensively, he manages to recover and get back to attempt a poke check.
The defensive aspect of his game is what needs to be improved the most. More than anything, there’s a necessity to learn how to leverage his body and physically engage. Once this improves, the NHL wouldn’t be too far away.
The team who takes Mintyukov has two options: stay in the OHL or come up to the NHL. The Spirits may also be tempted to trade him for some picks, and he could get some playoff experience at the junior level.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-522840723937225840-1’); });
RELATED CONTENT:
Note to webmasters/reporters: When recapping news or interviews from this site please remember to include a link to www.MayorsManor.com
