European Prospect Report: Arsen Khisamutdinov is beginning to put it all together

Arsen Khisamutdinov, Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk (KHL) / CSK VVS Samara (VHL), Russia

The big forward was close to getting his first goal of the KHL season when he battled hard in front of the net, but his teammate got the puck in net. Khisamutdinov got his second assist of the KHL season, and the more I watch The Firestarter, the more I come to appreciate him.

He skates well for a big guy and he has some great hands and hockey IQ to make things happen. He seems to be earning more of his coach’s trust as well, as he got an average of 12 minutes of time over the three games played last week.

I understand why the Canadiens made the pick late in the sixth round to get his rights: there is a lot of potential in the player, and now they wont have to compete with other teams for his rights down the line.

Jesse Ylönen, Lahti Pelicans, Liiga, Finland

One game and Ylönen only got 14 minutess on the ice. He has been held pointless in the last four games, in a drought of that length for the second time of the season. It is clear that this Pelicans team isn’t the same as last year, and I am currently waiting for Ylönen to go on loan to another club sooner rather than later.

Frederik Dichow, Malmö U20, SuperElite / Malmö Redhawks SHL, Sweden

No games for Malmö U20 this week.

Mattias Norlinder, Modo, HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden

No games as Norlinder prepares for the WJC.

Jacob Olofsson, Skellefteå AIK, SHL, Sweden

Olofsson is out with what is said to be a shoulder injury.

Alexander Romanov, CSKA, KHL, Russia

No games as Romanov prepares for the WJC.

(The article originally stated that Arsen Khisamutdinov was drafted in the seventh round. This has been corrected to sixth.)