Dmitri Simashev Scouting Report: 2023 NHL Draft #26

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Over the last two drafts, the Russia-Ukraine war has loomed large. Questions are being asked about Russian players, including one of the top prospects available, Matvei Michkov. Things are not limited to the talented winger though. Dmitri Simashev is one of the top defenders in the draft but also faces questions due to the Russian factor. According to Elite Prospects, he is signed through the 2024-25 season.

Simashev plays in the Lokomotiv system. This season, he played 18 games against men in Russia’s top league, the KHL. He also played 33 games in Russia’s junior league, the MHL. Simashev scored one goal and 11 assists for 12 points in the league. He also scored two goals and four assists for six points in 10 playoff games. In 2021-22, Simashev played 46 MHL games. He scored five goals and 11 assists for 16 points. Simashev also added one assist in two playoff games. He also represented Russia at the European Youth Olympics in 2022. Appearing in four games for Russia, he helped the team win a bronze medal. Unfortunately Russia being banned from international tournaments has prevented him from participating in more recent events and showing his skills for the national team.

Dmitri Simashev Scouting Report

Left Defence — shoots Left
Born February 4th, 2005 — Kostroma, Russia
Height 6’4″ — Weight 201 lbs [193 cm / 90 kg]

Skating

Simashev combines great size at 6’4″ wth outstanding skating ability. He has a long and powerful stride. This helps him to generate excellent speed and acceleration in both directions. Simashev also has very good edgework and agility. His pivots are crisp and he transitions quickly from offence to defence and vice-versa. He also has very good crossovers, helping him to generate speed and power through his turns. Simashev has good lateral agility, which helps him to keep defenders in front of him and maintain good gap control. He can be dominant in the corners and in front of the net against players in his age group. However, he will need to continue to bulk up in order to succeed in these areas against men.

Offensive Game

Simashev’s bread and butter is his defensive game. However, there are some areas of his offensive game that show flashes of potential. His excellent skating allows him to join the rush or pinch in at the blueline and still get back defensively. His lateral movement allows him to walk the line and open up passing and shooting lanes. Simashev has good passing ability, whether that is making a first pass to start the transition game, or making a play in the offensive zone. He also has a decent shot from the point. It should improve as he adds muscle to his upper body.

Simashev’s biggest issue is handling the puck though. He lacks the confidence to carry the puck out of his own end or create a rush through the offensive zone. When he gets the puck, he is often looking to get rid of it very quickly, seeking an outlet pass on the breakout, or putting the puck to a teammate in a safe area in the offensive zone. As he develops confidence and poise with the puck, he could really take his offensive game to the next level. Simashev shows a bit more at the junior level than he does in the KHL and this could be due to the fact that the higher league is faster and he has less confidence playing against men.

Defensive Game

Simashev is extremely well-developed defensively, especially for his age. He uses his long stick, excellent skating ability, and his size to cut off the middle of the ice. Simashev maintains excellent gap control. He forces attackers to the outside and into bad shooting areas. Simashev keeps himself between his man and the front of the net, using his body to block shots and his long stick to cut down passing lanes. His positioning away from the puck is also strong. Simashez stays between his man and the front of the net. He keeps the play to the outside and uses his size and strength to win battles in the corners and in front of the net.

Projection and Comparison

Simashev is likely to spend at least two more years in Russia before his contract is up. He should continue to add muscle to his frame and this will make him even more effective defensively. He also can work on his puckhandling and overall offensive awareness. With his defensive game though, as long as it continues to develop, he could become a top-four, minute-eating defenceman who is used against top lines and is an excellent compliment to a puck-moving defender. His game is reminiscent of Ryan Lindgren. However, this is a stylistic comparison only and not one based on skill and ability.

Highlights

The following is a compilation of some of the highlight packages and features of Dmitri Simashev that are available on youtube and Twitter.

Dmitri simashev, a defensive minded 6’4” defenceman with skating and puck protection ability like this? Absolutely sign me up pic.twitter.com/WHCvsnwoQP

— ryan (@AngryPredsFan) May 23, 2023

#2023NHLDraft Roman Kantserov
#2023NHLDraft Dmitri Simashev
3-0 Russia U20 pic.twitter.com/2UGJ70cwPi

— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) May 27, 2023