Egor Sokolov
Stat | NHL | AHL |
|---|---|---|
Games Played | 13 | 312 |
Goals | 1 | 88 |
Assists | 1 | 126 |
Points | 2 | 214 |
Background
A native of Yekaterinburg, Russia, Egor Sokolov was drafted into the CHL via the Import Draft in 2017, selected 35th overall by the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. In three seasons there, he put up increasingly-impressive stats each year, which led to the Ottawa Senators picking him in his third year of NHL Entry Draft eligibility in 2020.
With the Belleville Senators, overlapping with the aforementioned Angus Crookshank, Sokolov found much success and established himself as one of Ottawa's most promising prospects. For a time, he held the B-Sens' goal-scoring record before it was surpassed by Crookshank. At just 13 games of NHL experience, however, he is the least-tenured NHLer on this list. This wasn't lost on Sokolov, who requested a trade in 2023; despite initially being waived, the request was honored in 2024, when he was dealt in a one-for-one to the Utah Hockey Club, in exchange for Jan Jenik. He played the entire 2024-25 season with their affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, putting up 44 points in 72 games.
Upside
Sokolov is adept at maintaining body position and puck possession. He draws a lot of penalties as players attempt to strip him of the puck, often unsuccessfully. He possesses a powerful frame (6'4", 220lbs) that makes it difficult for opponents to challenge, especially along the wall and against the corner boards. He has a good finishing touch, strong passing skills, and a fear-inducing shot that he can release from just about anywhere. He has plenty of AHL experience and is eager for ice time in the NHL.
Risks
Sokolov went undrafted in his first two chances at the 2018 and 2019 NHL Entry Drafts. The main concern teams had was Sokolov's perceived "heavy feet" and a "distinct lack of speed." This admonishment of Sokolov's ability to get up and down the ice is near-unanimous, and it's a noteworthy problem to begin with, especially so when almost all of the prospect profiles and reports on the stocky winger make a point to emphasize it. It's something, understandably, he's been working on, but it remains a pockmark on a player who, otherwise, could be an everyday NHLer. Sokolov is fully aware of his reputation as poor skater; while with the Ottawa Senators, he began to address this directly, as Steve Warne of The Hockey News writes:
"The biggest goal was to elevate my skating as much as I could... I worked three times a week with our technical skating coach, Shelley Kettles. We focused on things like quickness, and my skating has come a long way"Egor Sokolov
Role
Sokolov, at this time, seems to be a slower version of Valeri Nichuskin: they are both strong puck-hounds with good hands and good net-front presence who are hard to deprive of the puck. If Sokolov's work on his explosiveness and in the defensive zone of the ice can surpass the criticism and concern, there's reason to believe he can serve as a reliable bottom-line/13th forward role. Plus, he's been a fan-favorite everywhere he's gone; Sens fans lovinglovingly referred to him as Egor Sharkalov for his ferocity on the ice.
Cost
More than anyone else on this list, Sokolov seems poised to sign overseas if he doesn't feel valued at the NHL level and receive an offer worth staying for in North America. But the Avs are no strangers to a bulky Russian winger in need of some refinement, which makes Sokolov another perfect reclamation project for Chris MacFarland and Joe Sakic. Consequently, a one-year, league-minimum, prove-it deal seems fitting for Sokolov next season.