The 2023 NHL Entry Draft is rapidly approaching, and it’s time to look at who the Blue Jackets could pick with their second round pick (#34 overall) on Thursday, June 29.
While our focus has been on who the Columbus Blue Jackets could take at #3, let’s not ignore that they possess the #34 overall pick in the draft, or the second pick on Day 2 of the draft. There are still good players to be found there, especially in a deep draft class such as this one. Players in this range could include some who are expected to go in the late first round.
One such player is Mikhail Gulyayev. He is ranked anywhere from #16 to #42, depending on which rankings you read. The Russian factor could turn some teams away, of course, but that doesn’t seem to be an issue for Columbus: they picked two Russians in the later rounds last year.
The other issue? Gulyayev is on the smaller side (5’10”) and is seen as more of an offensive defenseman. Does that fit the organizational identity? Just last year, the Jackets spent a first round pick on Denton Mateychuk, who his also a small but speedy left-handed defenseman, but his defensive skills have earned praise as well. Do you worry about need at this pick, or go with best player available no matter what?
Mikhail Gulyayev
Position: Defenseman
Team: Omskie Yastreby (MHL)
Date of Birth: April 26, 2005
Birthplace: Novosibirsk, Russia
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 170 lbs
Shoots: Left
Rankings
Ranked #27 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #30 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #16 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #33 by FLOHOCKEY/CHRIS PETERS
Ranked #23 by DAILY FACEOFF
Ranked #28 by THE HOCKEY NEWS
Ranked #24 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #19 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #41 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #10 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
Ranked #23 by SPORTSNET
Ranked #28 by HPR/SHANE MALLOY
Ranked #42 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #30 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #25 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #16 by SMAHT SCOUTING
2022-23 Stats
Omskie Yastreby (MHL)
Games: 22
Goals: 2
Assists: 23
Points: 25
PIM: 18
Plus/Minus: +12
He also put up 1 assist in 13 games with Avangard Omsk of the KHL, and 4 assists in 12 games with Omskie Krylia of the VHL (the top minor league). In the MHL (junior league) playoffs, he scored 2 goals and 8 assists in 17 games, with a +5 rating.
Scouting Reports
Man, can Mikhail Gulyayev fly out there. You give him an inch, and he’s sprinted a mile past you with about as effortless and clean a stride as you’ve ever seen. It’s the defining characteristic of his game; the foundation on which every other part rests. Every bit as comfortable a defensive skater, Gulyayev gaps up early, often attacks puck carriers on an arc, and always takes away the middle of the ice with his stick. – Elite Prospects
You’ll commonly see him activate to lead plays into the offensive zone and create something. He walks the line and bends coverage as an impressive and tactical power-play quarterback. But you’ll also see him make the heady escape play out of his own zone under pressure at five-on-five, or slide into a passing line to intercept a pass, or disrupt an opposing carrier with a tight gap and active stick. If he can become a second-pairing offensively inclined defenceman at even strength and a PP1 QB, that has major value in the second half of the first round. I think there’s a small chance he becomes a star or close with the right development, too. – Scott Wheeler, The Athletic
For: There is so much fun offensive potential in Gulyayev’s game. He can shift and shake opposing defenders to open passing and shooting lanes. His passing is crisp and smooth, amplified by his vision and creativity. Gulyayev understands how to read a forecheck and evade it when he has his eyes up ice, using his mobility and puck skill to move the puck out of trouble. In transition, Gulyayev is a smooth player who has a ton of firepower.
Against: The reality is that for as wonderful and fun the offensive side of Gulyayev is, the defensive side is concerning. He can get lackadaisical and unengaged. The young Russian is a smooth mover and will need to use that to his advantage because he doesn’t have the size or strength to bully opponents in a defensive situation. Gulyayev is one of the most intriguing defenders in the class because he is also the biggest boom-or-bust candidate on the blueline. – Tony Ferrari, The Hockey News