With the 85th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, the Lightning selected Maxim Groshev. The KHL right winger who shoots left was ranked 63rd by Bob McKenzie’s list. He’s a great value pick as a 6’2” forward who’s succeeded in a men’s league already. Dobber Prospects consider Groshev a power forward with complimentary offensive talent. He works hard and plays a simple, physical game effectively.
Groshev played well at the U18 World Juniors for Russia in 2019 and was on their 2020 World Juniors team a year ago. He has one assist in 10 games this season with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, a bottom-feeder in the KHL.
Scouts say he has a strong array of skills, which he’s been developing steadily for years now. He got the call-up from the Russian junior league (MHL) to the KHL as a 17-year-old and he’s stuck there since as a bottom six player. He’s definitely someone with skills and tools but lacks a structure to put it all together, for a longer-term prospect, this isn’t out of the ordinary. Depending on when he comes over from the KHL, I think the Syracuse Crunch are going to have a lot of fun molding him into someone worthwhile.
Scouting Reports
“Groshev is likely to develop into a strong middle-six forward without any standout tools. But with size, good rushing skills, and ability to score goals from close distance, he seems to be an attractive option for teams searching to add some quality prospect pool depth. Not a star, but a useful utility guy you’d like to see on your team. Groshev should be a mid-round pick at the 2020 NHL Draft, and likely won’t bump his draft stock at the World Juniors while playing on the fourth line.” – Dobber Prospects, Sergei Kuzin
Video
Maxim Groshev takes faith in his own hands and it is 3-2 RUS with under 10min to go #U18Worlds pic.twitter.com/FvwbPQ4Qd0
— Dennis Schellenberg (@ScoutingFactory) April 28, 2019
Maxim Groshev with his first KHL goal: #2020NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/yeMfEplLK8
— Patrik Bexell (@Zeb_Habs) November 18, 2019
A good shot by Maxim Groshev makes it 5-1 for Russia. #WJC2020 pic.twitter.com/6gCLufaRBI
— Steven Ellis (@StevenEllisTHN) December 23, 2019
