Svechkov is the type of player who really excels at the fine details of the game. He’s a reliable and consistent player, in all three zones and shift-in, shift-out. He looks very comfortable playing the center position and understands the responsibilities of the role. Even if he’s not always successful with what he tries, with or without the puck, he’s almost always in the right place and applying the right pressure. His defensive play is very advanced, breaking up plays and stealing pucks at an above-average rate, and he puts in a great effort in 50-50 battles. He shows great hustle in transition and a strong motor when pursuing puck carriers. He is very aggressive pressuring opponents and his strength on the puck is apparent in every defensive shift he takes. He doesn’t shy away from physical play but makes good reads on when to finish a check on an opposing player or to make himself an open outlet along the side boards. He isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, including driving to the opposing net. He’s not a flashy dangler but he can comfortably control the puck, and there are times where he shows off some nice playmaking. He doesn’t seem especially creative or crafty with the puck but he displays solid stickhandling ability. His biggest asset is the ability to draw pressure to himself before making a play, creating space for his linemates and causing confusion for opponents in cycle situations. Svechkov shows no hesitation when firing from range, but seems to get his most threatening chances from inside the home plate area. Svechkov is a powerful and deceptively fast skater, showing great extension in his strides and getting up to top speed quickly with strong crossovers and a wide base. While his agility and edgework at high speed still cause him some trouble when carrying the puck, Svechkov uses his body to protect the puck very well. This is apparent in transition chances, when he regularly attempts to beat defenders wide with his reach and speed instead of attacking them head-on. His speed and agility aren’t problems, though they could stand to improve, and on the plus side he still looks a little underdeveloped in terms of his lower-body strength, signalling room for improvement.

– FCHockey’s 2021 NHL Draft Guide