Montreal Canadiens New kids in town: Daniil Sobolev

With the 142nd overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, the Montreal Canadiens selected Daniil Sobolev.

Sobolev is the second defenceman that the Canadiens drafted from Spartak of the KHL this year. Unlike fellow draft pick Dmitri Kostenko, Sobolev is not known for his work in the other team’s zone.

But then again, key cup contributors Joel Edmundson and Ben Chiarot aren’t known for their lamp lighting skills either. The only thing Edmundson and Chiarot have going for them that Sobolev will not is size. Sobolev is just “average” in terms of his size, but he does not let that hold him back in the checking game.

In fact, one of his biggest weaknesses as a defensive player is his aggression with his body. At times Sobolev leaves his goal tender out to dry in pursuit of a board rattling check. While this is certainly a more entertaining way to play hockey, undisciplined defenders who can’t score never make it out of the minor leagues.

Looking a few years down the line at a potential NHL arrival for Sobolev, it is safe to say a top pairing is not in the cards. But for a 5th round pick, just making the NHL is already over-achieving. His limited offensive skillset will keep him from playing 25 minutes a night, but he can skate, hit, and block shots.

He is likely destined for a third-pairing role in the future, but could slide into the middle pair if everything breaks right for him.

A good pro comparison for him would be David Savard light, not bad for the 142nd overall pick.