While many of the players we’ve featured thus far in this year’s NHL Draft Preview series have focused on what the Kings might do with selection No. 17, it’s important to remember there are seven rounds to worry about — and that doesn’t even get into options for moving up and down.
With that in mind, we’re taking a bit of a detour in this article. Let’s give a little attention to a player LA could certainly have their eyes on in Round 2.
Egor Shilov
Vitals
Date of Birth: April 30, 2008
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 176 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Forward
2025-26 Season
Shilov spent his 2025-26 season with the Victoriaville Tigres of the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In 63 games, he had 82 points (32 G, 50 A).
The Road Less Traveled
Recent rule changes have allowed players in major junior hockey to migrate toward collegiate hockey. However, those possibilities weren’t really in place when Shilov moved from Russia to North America. To maintain his NCAA eligibility, the skilled forward played his first season away from home in AAA hockey and then advanced to the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. What made this path unusual was his move over to the QMJHL last season.
Lions and Tigres and… That’s It
Victoriaville’s leading scorer is expected to stay with the Tigres in major juniors for one more season. Afterwards, he’s committed to playing for the Penn State Nittany Lions beginning in 2027.
Optional Athleticism
So far, several skilled prospects we’ve looked at haven’t ranked in the top 10 for any fitness testing performed at the NHL Draft Combine, and Shilov is no exception. As mentioned in previous articles, this isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker. Producing while not at a physical peak can suggest a potentially higher upside.
Rankings by Independent Scouting Services
No. 26 by Elite Prospects. “One of the draft’s most purely skilled creators, Yegor Shilov has a highlight reel comparable to the very best. He’s been a scorer at every level, and continued to show it in the QMJHL.
Shilov carries pucks across zones with smooth crossovers while handling the puck at his hip, in a deceptive, multi-threat position. With a flick of the wrist, he swipes pucks to teammates on the flank and shifts the puck under defensive sticks to break right in.
It feels like Shilov perceives the game in slow motion, anticipating pokechecks and defensive counters, and reacting faster than the opposition. There’s a certain grace to the way he rushes the puck or controls it at the half-wall on the power play, as if his goal is not only to find ways around the opposition, but to do it in the most highlight-reel-worthy way.”
No. 34 by Scott Wheeler, “He has work to do to round out his game defensively, but his instincts on both sides of the puck are there, and Victoriaville used him in all situations, including on the penalty kill. He’s also decent in the faceoff circle. He’s highly skilled, with a great shot off balance (he really whips it) and a nasty release off the middle of his blade. He has a superb first touch, even in traffic, and can place pucks up under the bar from in tight with a little chip shot he loves to use around the slot. His skating can look a little unconventional, and he has work to do on his fitness, but the offensive-zone gifts, position and average size place him in this fourth tier and make him appealing in the 30s of this class to me.”
No. 101 by Hockey Prospect, “Shilov came over to the QMJHL after playing last season in the USHL and was one of the top rookies in the league, finishing top-10 in scoring overall in the league. He’s a smart center who can be a dual offensive threat, creating chances with above-average shooting skills and creativity as a passer. He excels on the power play from the right faceoff circle, where he benefits from the extra time and space a man advantage provides. He has slick hands, strong one-on one skills in tight spaces and in transition, a quick release, and velocity on his shot. He’s also a solid faceoff man — 54% in the dot this season, with only seven centers took more draws than him league-wide.
On pure skill, he looks like a surefire first-round prospect. The reality is he was never close to cracking our top-32 at any point this season, and here’s why.
The biggest issue is his pace — arguably the worst we’ve seen from any player this year. The NHL is all about pace now, and it’s hard to envision a player with such bad pace fitting into a full-time role at that level. His skating is also a problem, though it’s genuinely difficult to evaluate because he so rarely skates hard. Most of the time he’s barely moving his feet, and his speed looks well below average. His edgework are decent, but he doesn’t use them nearly enough. He rarely pushes tempo, looks un-athletic on the ice, and when he does try to accelerate to a loose puck, he simply doesn’t have the extra gear.”
See For Yourself
Video of Shilov vs. the QMJHL’s Blainville-Boisbrand Armada:
Final Comments
By venturing outside of prospects who fall into the 17-20 range in Round 1, we’re heading out into a territory where LA may be thinking about potential movement scenarios to nab a player they really like. Then again, the simplest option could be to wait and see if a targeted player falls to the Kings at pick 46, their first of two selections in Round 2. Judging from the variety of rankings above, that could be a gamble worth taking.
Taking a passive approach usually doesn’t lead to success for ambitious organizations, though. As a result, another option could be to trade down from No. 17 and gain an extra pick in the deal. Recently, LA used this type of strategy and earned themselves the selections used for guys like Carter George, James Reeder, and Vojtech Cihar.
Although rankings differ, there’s a general consensus in what Shilov brings: high skill, particularly in special teams, with questionable pace and consistency. This usually doesn’t match the profile of who LA targets — at least not with higher picks. As a result, the Russian native would seem more targeted outside the first round.
Questions of pace and effort can be hit or miss. If it’s tied to maturity, then a team would usually feel more confident taking a chance and letting a prospect grow up. By contrast, if an organization deems it to be more of a character flaw (and please note this is not what we’re insinuating, merely for example purposes), there will be a lot less comfort in using valuable draft capital. The biggest takeaway from this, however, should be recognizing how productive Shilov was even with questions of pace and effort.
This ties back to the importance of interviews and is one of the many reasons why Mark Yannetti, LA’s Director of Amateur Scouting, has said he values conversations and getting to know a player. Understanding what happens between the ears is just as important as what shows up on the ice.
To see more player profiles from this year’s Draft Preview series, be sure the check out the links down below.
Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.
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