Denis Guryanov
Position: RW/LW
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 192 lbs.
Current Team: Togliatti (KHL)
Central Scouting Ranking: 7 (Europe)
ISS Ranking: 24
Denis Guryanov can score, and he’s much bigger than a lot of the other scorers in this year’s draft.
Guryanov spent a majority of this season in Russian juniors, scoring 15 goals and 10 assists in 23 games with Togliatti’s MHL squad. He made an eight game appearance in the KHL as well, recording one assist.
He had an excellent showing at the U-18s, leading all Russian players in scoring with six goals and one assist. In the World Junior A Challenge he had four points in five games. He did not play for Russia at the World Juniors last year.
Guryanov has the potential to be a very solid power forward in the NHL. He’s a good skater, has a good shot and is a natural goal scorer, though some are interested in seeing what he looks like against better competition. None-the-less, the tools are certainly there.
The questions that come with Guryanov are ones that people should be very familiar with by now. His defense isn’t spectacular, and then there’s the Russian factor as well. Some NHL teams seem wary of Russians who came over to play in the CHL. What about a player who has only played in Russia?
He’s projected to go anywhere from the 20s to the early second round, so he could be an option for either the 21st or 31st Sabres pick. His stock seems to be on the rise.
What They’re Saying
“A highly skilled forward who intimidates with his speed and proficient puckhandling ability, Denis Guryanov may have one of the highest ceilings as a forward prospect for the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Very strong on his skates and uses his size to protect the puck well. Drives the net hard and knows where he will shoot before he is even in a position to do so. Possesses a heavy and accurate release on his shot, which he likes to get off near the faceoff dots; if he can’t shoot from there, he will either dangle or bull his way through to the blue paint. While he is proactive and aware defensively, he still needs to work on consistency in his own end. All-in-all, a dynamic offensive threat that has room to grow defensively.”
-Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects
“One of the most powerful, dynamic players in the draft. Has excellent speed but his explosive quickness is exceptional and he can create space and opportunities quickly. Excellent shot with a quick release and goalies have to be ready. Easily could be a top 10 or even a top five talent in this draft.”
-Craig Button, TSN
“A dynamic goal scorer who is full of surprises, he is a strong, tough, power forward who goes hard to the net using his physical strength and size. He protects the puck well, is difficult to stop when at full speed and always tries to use his strong shot.”
-Goran Stubb, NHL Central Scouting Director of European Scouting