14. Alexandr Kisakov, LW, 21 (Rochester Americans)
Kisakov is a highly gifted winger with an underdeveloped 5-foot-11 frame (he’s listed at 164 pounds now, which is still lean, and that’s up about 10 pounds from a year ago). He was a fun player to watch against his peers in the MHL because he was never actually in trouble with the puck on his stick, and regularly pulled and dragged it through feet to beat the same defender twice (which will get harder against better defenders but is a sure sign of skill and comfort). His adjustment to the AHL has been bumpier, but there have been some flashes and if they play the long game with him there might be some payoff. I could see him stepping into a more offensive role and having more success than he has had in a depth role once/if players like Rosen and Kulich move up.
He’s got a silky-smooth first touch, which helps him catch and release pucks quickly (to shoot or give it back). His ability to change directions, adjust on his edges in control to hang onto the puck under pressure and flurry around the offensive zone to wreak havoc makes him a first-round talent. He has mastered a spin move, somewhere between a cutback and a pirouette, that he uses one-on-one with defenders on the perimeter as a way to create separation for himself. His athletic immaturity, though, does raise concerns about how his skill will translate and gives him a long-term projection even if he does make it. There’s a boom-or-bust element to his projection but his offensive-zone gifts could result in a complementary skill winger in the best-case scenario.