San Jose Sharks: Initial grades for the 2019 NHL Draft class
By Justin Fried
Round 4, Pick 108 — Yegor Spiridonov, C, Russia
After reaching for their two previous selections — by scouting ranking standards — the Sharks came back with a steal of a pick in the fourth round with their selection of Russian center Yegor Spiridonov.
Spiridonov is a heady, two-way center who works well as a playmaker on the ice. He has been a standout in the MHL for a couple of years now and has been a key part of Russia’s international team as well.
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Corey Pronman of The Athletic used the phrase “makes his teammates better” to best describe Spiridonov which is what you want to see from a two-way center. In 43 regular-season games in the MHL, Spiridonov put up 41 points — 15 of which were goals.
Perhaps his biggest weakness comes with his skating which Pronman described as “clunky.” That deficiency could limit him as he tries to make the jump to the NHL. It’s been indicated that he will likely remain in Russia for at least two more years before making the jump to North America.
The Sharks traded their fourth-round pick next year to move up and take Spiridonov so hopefully, this pick works out. But they do appear to have gotten quite the steal here in the fourth round.