DANIIL GUSHCHIN

[Blacksox]

GUSHCHIN REPORT

2020 CHL Import Draft
Talented pool of Europeans led by Russians and Czechs
Steve Kournianos and Ross Martin | 6/30/2020 | Nashville |
Daniil Gushchin, RW (Niagara, OHL)
Gushchin has spent the last two years terrorizing opposing defenses while playing for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks and is expected to be picked in one of the first three rounds of this year’s NHL Draft. He has starred for Russia at several high-profile international tournaments such as the under-18 Ivan Hlinka and winning gold at last year’s under-20 World Jr. “A” Challenge. Gushchin plays like he’s shot out of a cannon and his impressive puck skills such as stickhandling and finishing should help a Niagara offense which finished 19th out of 20 in goals scored and is losing top scorers Ivan Lodnia and Oliver Castleman.

2020 NHL Entry Draft
Ranked #51 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #84 by MCKEEN'S HOCKEY
Ranked #41 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #42 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #61 by TSN/McKenzie


Why Daniil Gushchin is a First-Round Talent
By Gabriel Foley (LWH) -July 6, 2020

2020 NHL Draft:
One of the most discussed players of the entire Draft pool is USHL star Daniil Gushchin. While the second-round ranking is a good one for Gushchin, his talent far tops it. In fact, Gushchin has a great case for a first-round selection.

STICK-HANDLING
Among Gushchin’s impressive repertoire, his stickhandling has been the trait that’s dropped the jaws of many scouts. His ability to get out of tight situations and make defenders look silly, led his stick-handling to be regarded as simply, “next level”. Referring to Gushchin’s ability to stick-handling as “uncanny”, with his ability being so emphatically above his peers. He is one of the most elusive players in the draft class with the puck.

SKATING
While his stickhandling is incredible, arguably the best in the USHL, Gushchin has top-tier speed, agility, and edge-work. HIs skating is among the best in this draft when it’s at its peak. It has allowed him to completely dominate play with the puck on his stick when combined with his stick-handling. It takes multiple defenders to strip him of the puck thanks to the elusiveness brought on by the two high-end traits.

PASSING - SHOOTING
"Gushchin’s passing ability is terrific – almost telepathic – but it’s his shot that truly steals away scouts. His fore-checking is also noteworthy, “There are moments in which Gushchin demonstrates high-octane aggressive fore-checking, but it does not seem to be consistent from a shift-to-shift perspective.”

OUTLOOK
Gushchin could become the steal of this year’s NHL draft. His play is seriously impressive when it’s at its peak. “Gushchin’s pure offensive ability is towards the top of the class for the 2020 Draft.” If consistency wasn’t an issue, he would push towards a mid-1st round selection. Even then, it is hard not to be drawn to Gushchin’s talent - brilliant goal-scoring ability, even-better playmaking, and overall elite offence, while in the USHL. If he can find his consistency, he can quickly become an incredibly exciting prospect. A late first-round pick spent on Gushchin isn’t going to waste. In fact, it could end up a steal as he grows.


2020 NHL Draft: Trying to unearth hidden gems in the USHL
https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2...n-high-schools
#1 Danill Gushchin
Gushchin is a potentially elite talent — he’s good enough to be ranked 51st by Future Considerations and 54th by Elite Prospects. Plenty of scouts will refer to him as a potential top-six winger.

<>SCOUTING REPORT
https://thepuckauthority.com/the-puc...niil-gushchin/
Daniil Gushchin is one of the more interesting 2020 draft-eligible prospects. Gushchin is not one of the biggest players on the ice, however, he is always one of the most dangerous. The sneaky right-winger uses a mixture of his speed and hands to find open spaces and create scoring chances for himself and his teammates.
Potential: Top-six Winger
Draft Projection – Mid first/early second


<>SCOUTING REPORT
https://lastwordonhockey.com/2020/05...outing-report/
Gushchin has outstanding hands. He can make plays while moving at top speed. He can also stickhandle in a phone booth, making a number of nifty dangles or slick moves in tight spaces


<>SCOUTING REPORT
2020 Draft: Top 10 Russian Prospects (The Draft Analyst) - Steve Kournianos
5. Daniil Guschin Right Wing | Muskegon, USHL
A hound in all three zones who is one of the more excitable players you’ll find in his draft class, Gushchin has spent the last two seasons in the USHL and it clearly shows in the way he competes hard and plays physical. Intelligent on or off the puck, Gushchin contributes on special teams and in late/close situations. He routinely is summoned for big penalty kills and will treat the on-ice disadvantage as an opportunity to make life a living hell for the other side. He is a very fast skater with multi-directional quickness, but Gushchin stays disciplined by keeping his stick and body positioned properly without cheating himself.

Guschin is a high-volume shooter who cannot be taken lightly no matter how calm or deliberate he appears as he enters the opposing zone. His 182 shots were third in the USHL and almost double from last year’s total and in less games. Even more impressive about Gushchin’s USHL stats — 42 of his 47 points (87 percent) were at even strength or shorthanded, the best percentage of any USHL Top-30 scorer.

On the puck, Gushchin shows impressive skills and decision-making both within the attacking zone and on the rush. His passes are delivered with confidence, accuracy, and authority, and it is a common occurrence to see defenders backing in way too deep and affording him too much time and space to exploit. A reason for this is Gushchin’s speed and trickery. Like several other Russian first-year eligibles listed under six feet tall, Gushchin plays bigger than his measurements and is very difficult to knock off the puck.

The most impressive weapon in Gushchin’s arsenal is his shot. He can score from varying distances. Gushchin is an excellent skater, but he can also label wrist shots off the rush with accuracy.