4. Vladimir Kuznetsov
https://youtu.be/bgqz7fe6zTU
Team: Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL Pos: LW
Age: 18 Size: 6-foot-2, 214 pounds
Last season: 68 games played, 25 goals, 33 assists
A Russian coming out of the Quebec Major Junior League. Sounds right up Patrick Roy’s alley, eh?
Much like many of the prospects and acquisitions the Roy/Sakic regime have a tendency towards liking, Kuznetsov brings size and physicality and only has room to grow. He makes great use of his body to shield the puck and attack the net; he gets in front to cause havoc for defensemen and goalies alike.
Vladimir Kuznetsov is not exactly an amazing skater, but his willingness to plant himself in front of the net, as well as his ability to excel in the corners, make him a promising project. If he reaches his potential, Kuznestsov’s game could one day be compared to Gabriel Landeskog’s.
This would be a potential fourth-round target, but one that fits the Avalanche style.
