Position: C

Height/Weight: 6’2″/191 lbs

Shoots: Left 

DOB: 5/16/1994

Team: Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

 

Mikhail Grigorenko is the type of No. 1 center that every NHL general manager covets when he attempts to build his perfect roster.

In 59 games for the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL this season, the Russian star scored 40 goals with 45 assists to finish eighth in the league in scoring. Grigorenko will be a consistent scorer at the NHL level because he is a natural playmaker whose offensive talents still have much room for improvement.

Grigorenko’s passing ability is absolutely fantastic, and his vision on the ice helps him make the precision passes in the offensive zone that create quality scoring chances for teammates. He’s an unselfish player who looks to create for others but also understands when to look for his own scoring and take over games offensively.

His hockey intangibles are also quite impressive.

Grigorenko has a high hockey intelligence and shows the desire and determination to get better. This is exactly what you want from a young player with immense potential. Experience for Russia at the international level has given Grigorenko a taste of a highly competitive atmosphere, which will help him adjust to the pace and intensity of the NHL game.

He won’t need much more development at the junior level and should be able to step into the NHL and contribute at a high level next year or the year after.

 

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Nicholas Goss is an NHL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and was also the organization’s on-site reporter for the 2011 Stanley Cup Final in Boston.

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