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2024 Draft Prospect is the San Jose Sharks Hidden Gem

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It appears that the San Jose Sharks might have found a hidden gem in their 2024 draft prospect Igor Chernyshov. After stepping to the podium and selecting the cream of the crop in Macklin Celebrini and Sam Dickinson, the Sharks returned to center stage with the 33rd overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and selected Igor Chernyshov, a prototypical power forward from Russia. Chernyshov, who spent his draft year splitting time between the MHL and KHL, is a very intriguing prospect. He brings a blend of power and finesse that is hard to come by in today’s NHL. While he may not have a single elite trait, his well-rounded skill set makes him a fascinating prospect with significant top-six potential.

Igor Chernyshov: San Jose’s Hidden Gem

Time in the MHL

Igor’s jump from junior to the MHL can be defined as wicked, vile, and downright unfortunate for the rest of the league. At 6’2, 192lbs, he uses his size and strength to bully opponents along the boards, winning puck battles with ease. Once in possession, his ability to transition the puck to offense made him increasingly tough to defend. If battling in the offensive zone, Chernyshov can successfully maneuver the puck in tight spaces and then make an accurate pass to a teammate out front. Off the rush, Igor uses his powerful stripe and exceptional edge work to fly past defenders. He has a tremendous ability to accelerate quickly, creating space for himself and his teammates.

Throughout his two seasons in the MHL, Chernyshov posted impressive numbers. In 60 games for MHK Dynamo Moskva, Chernyshov scored 31 goals and tallied 66 points. All while being a thunderous presence on the ice.

Life in the KHL

Although Chernyshov made light work of the MHL, his transition to the KHL went about how it does for every young player. Not smooth. His ice time and opportunities were small, making it difficult for him to showcase his abilities. Despite this, Igor still found ways to prove himself to scouts.

When he wasn’t able to out-muscle or out-speed his opponents, he showed flashes of an effective off-puck game, supporting teammates by tracking back, finding his check, and maintaining strong defensive positioning. Through his 39 games in the KHL, Chernyshov was able to tally 5 points in a bottom-six role. Normally these numbers wouldn’t seem like anything special, but for a 17/18 year-old, it’s admirable.

Dominating the OHL

Where Chernyshov has taken off as a top-tier prospect is in the OHL. Following the conclusion of his draft year, Igor decided to move to North America, joining the Saginaw Spirit. Unfortunately, before Sharks camp in August, Igor suffered an injury that would require surgery. It would be six months before he would see game action again. Then finally on January 30th, Chernyshov made his OHL debut against the Kingston Frontenacs. He scored two goals and hasn’t looked back since. In the 12 games since returning from injury, Chernyshov has 12 goals and a staggering 32 points. It’s important to realize that 12 games is a relatively small sample size, but still incredibly promising nonetheless. His ability to take over games with his blend of skill, strength, and hockey sense has been on full display, giving the Sharks even more reason to be excited about his potential.

What’s Next?

After the start that Chernyshov has had in the OHL, Sharks fans should be getting excited. It is however important to stay patient and not rush him. With this being his first time playing in North America, Igor will most likely hit a speed bump at some point. Not many players have ever come across to the OHL and maintained nearly 3-points a game for the season. It’s not out of the question, but it’s important to stay cautious and not get his expectations too high. Regardless, his ability to so far transition seamlessly into North American hockey while putting up elite numbers is a promising sign for his future. Cherynshov may not be a finished product, but his career trajectory thus far provides great promise for his future. The Sharks might have found a gem in their 2024 2nd round pick.

Main Photo: Joe Camporeale- Imagn Images

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