Agafonov is a defense-oriented, two-way defenseman who plays a unique game from a defensive standpoint, in my opinion. Unlike the typical calculated defensive defender, he sometimes strays from the ideal positioning but always finds a way to get the job done, whether through a last-ditch effort to strip the puck from a forward or by handling situations down low around the net despite less-than-ideal circumstances. No matter how often I worry he might get beat, he almost never does — a rare quality in a player this young. He is also a strong skater and puck-mover, effectively transitioning the puck to forwards and rarely making mistakes in his own zone that could lead to turnovers. In this game, Agafonov excelled as a safe, shutdown option for his team. He was outstanding defensively, logging significant penalty-kill minutes with good results. What stood out most was his ability to take over defensively when needed, making crucial last-ditch efforts to prevent scoring chances. His stick work and gap control against rushing opponents were particularly impressive. While he joined the attack at times, he didn’t generate scoring chances, but his defensive contributions were stellar. In moments of desperation, he was at his best. Overall, it was a strong game from one of the better defensive defensemen in this class. Agafonov isn’t currently a significant offensive contributor, as that’s not the nature of his game right now. However, given his puck-moving skills, that could change as he develops in a more structured system with a defined role. I could see him breaking out offensively in the KHL in a year or two. To me, he projects as a third-pair defensive specialist who excels in shutting down opponents, handles penalty-killing duties, and maintains strong possession numbers. I anticipate him finishing the season in the late-second or early-third round range for us, and he profiles as a mid-to-late round selection in the 2025 draft based on the history of players with his skill set.