Alexander Suzdalev is a large winger who uses his speed to cover ice north-to-south. Aggressive when on the forecheck, he is very good at forcing turnovers because of how quickly he’s able to close in on his target. His speed helps him be effective in transition, heading up ice quickly and entering opponent territory. Playing in the offensive zone is where his hockey sense starts to shine. With good timing and positioning, he finds himself in front of the net uncovered and able to grab rebounds. These rebounds turn into either another dangerous shot attempt for him or continued possession for his team. He really needs to work on his defensive game as he often gets beat by his man. This is especially true when defending against the rush where his lack of lateral mobility prevents him from cutting off angles well or engaging with the attacker physically. The NHL size he does have makes him an intriguing prospect who will need a lot of time as a project. The challenges he has defensively are things that can be fixed provided he puts the work in, as he exhibits strong hockey sense to anticipate plays better. With his straight-line speed, he will always be a threat on offense and his large frame is going to help him in front of the net as he continues to develop. His skating and speed combination, while raw and in need of polishing, will be enough for scouts to be chomping at the bit to draft him. His lateral mobility, for example, needs improvement and a quicker first step will always be encouraged. Both elements would make him even more threatening. Suzdalev has great potential that, if tapped into properly, will pay off big time in the future for whoever calls his name on draft night.

– FCHockey’s 2022 NHL Draft Guide