CrashingTheGoalie

by Ron Spence

Mike Gillis has been having a good week.

Three of his top prospects have been starring in the American Hockey League. And now he has signed a good player from Russia.

Dave Nonis selected Sergei Shirokov 163rd Overall in the 6th round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

The pick came with Roberto Luongo and Lukas Krajicek, for Todd Bertuzzi, Alex Auld and Bryan Allen.

He played in the KHL with Moscow last season and totaled 41 points in 56 games.

“Shirokov went without a point for a few games in the middle of January…” wrote Hockey’s Future, “but has been a consistent producer all year. [In January] he scored eight points, equally divided among goals and assists in his 12 games played. CSKA entered February in a tie for fourth place in the league standings. Shirokov is tops on his team in goals, assists, and points, setting new career highs in the latter two categories. He had 15 goals and 21 assists in 49 games at the end of January.”

For this great play, Hockey’s Future gave Sergei an Honourable Mention for Player of the Month.

There had been a rumour – in the Russian press on May 12 –  that Shirokov and four other players wanted to leave CSKA. The Moscow team has been undergoing a number of changes with a new president – Vyacheslav Fetisov – and new head coach – Sergei Nemchinov.

So, the timing was right for Mike Gillis.

courtesy of hockeydb.com

Shirokov signed a 2 year entry level deal today. He will be paid $875,000 with bonuses each year.

*****

Russian Prospects rated Shirokov a few years back:

Skating: A very good skater with impressive top speed and above-average acceleration.

Shot: Possesses an above-average wrist shot…likes to shoot the puck.

Technical Ability: A technical forward, he handles the puck well and can create great scoring chances with a little bit of open room.

Passing: A team player, who interacts well with his linemates…a multi-dimensional player, who can dish out a pass, as well as receive a feed for a scoring chance.

Hockey Sense: Sees the ice well, and understands where the puck needs to be for his line mates…on the national team, played very well with Enver Lisin.

Defensive Play: Not a significant factor in his own zone…although not very big, he is capable, however, of causing turnovers with his stickwork and then turning on his wheels for a breakaway.

Physical Game: At just under 5’10 and 160 pounds, Shirokov does not possess an imposing frame…accordingly, he often looks weak on the ice when trying to compete with bigger opponents…there were quite a few chances where he would almost have a breakaway, only to be brought down at the last second by a stronger defenseman…as it is unlikely that he will grow much more, Shirokov needs to improve his strength and bulk up. Intangibles: Had a bit of a mean streak at times and tended to hold grudges with certain players, trying to pick a fight at every opportunity.

Overall: In most aspects of his game, Shirokov is a bigger version of his diminutive-but-talented teammate Denis Parshin. He possesses a bit more speed than Parshin and has the same ability to share the puck or finish a combination play. As with Parshin, Shirokov’s downside lies largely in his size.

*****

Shirokov obviously needs to spend the summer with Dave Gagner, but I like his skill and the mean streak.

He sounds like Rick Ripien with some hands.