Danny Zhilkin is a sharpshooting center who oozes skill and power and has a nose for the prime scoring areas in the offensive zone. He has one of the better wrist shots in this entire draft class. He can have the puck on and off his stick in a flash with his lightning-quick release and he can generate a lot of power in that split second. On top of his shooting ability, he has high-end puck skills that allow him to work his way through traffic as he carries the puck up and down the ice. He has quick lateral mobility and can carry the puck on a string, making it tough for opponents to strip him of the puck when he’s going at his full speed. He has a solidly built NHL-ready frame but doesn’t always use it to his advantage, likely because he plays more of a skilled role and can defer to the perimeter when he’s not locked in. His off-puck play is a bit concerning, as he tends to disappear and become less engaged when he’s working away from the puck. This is frustrating because if he could consistently get open for his teammates he would likely have a chance to fill the back of the net due to his shooting ability. This needs to be a point of greater emphasis in his attack. He needs to find that consistency in his offensive game to truly take his game and scoring production to the next level. He has all the skill in the world and the ability to be a lethal scorer in multiple situations. If he finds his stride and becomes better at anticipating the play away from the puck, he will be a nightmare to defend in the offensive zone and will have no issues adapting to a number of different roles in the NHL. Teams will take a swing on him based on his high-end offensive potential and allowing him to work out his kinks over the next few seasons.

– FCHockey’s 2022 NHL Draft Guide