Analyzing the Golden Knights Future Stars
By Evan Mead
#3: Pavel Dorofeyev, LW, Henderson Silver Knights
Pavel Dorofeyev is currently my second ranked prospect in the Golden Knights prospect pool. The left winger has already made his NHL debut, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t fit the criteria.
Age: 21
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 176 lbs.
Shoot: Left
Drafted: 3rd Round pick in 2019 by the Vegas Golden Knights
Breakdown
Pavel Dorofeyev has already made his NHL debut with the Vegas Golden Knights but since he’s only 21. Therefore, he still fits the criteria as a ‘prospect’ and he is the Golden Knights third-ranked prospect.
Dorofeyev has been a top prospect for the Golden Knights since being drafted in 2019 in the third-round. Dorofeyev had previously spent a lot of time in the KHL and MHL. Never haven been a very productive player when looking at the stats, that shouldn’t take away from the talent he posses on the offensive side of the puck. That’s showing this season.
Dorofeyev, after making his NHL debut against the Seattle Kraken, was spent back down to their affiliate the Henderson Silver Knights. So far this season he’s played in 36 games and has 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points. Although that’s not quite a point per game, it’s still very respectable compared to his last couple seasons.
Dorofeyev isn’t really that good of a skater, but it’s more due to effort. He doesn’t particularly skate with urgency which leads to him being a lazy skater. That statement, although harsh, it somewhat inaccurate. It’s the consistency he lacks. He’s not necessarily a bad skater, but he needs to find a way to work harder to earn a true shot in the league.
So now that I covered the bad, let’s look at the good.
Dorofeyev has been known for his + shot since getting drafted. No, that isn’t underselling it. It’s seriously a great shot.
He has a strong release that allows him to score along the perimeter, he can snap shot well from the slot, and yet he has good enough puck handling that he can make a move to the inside/outside and score close to the net.
He could find time in the NHL sooner rather than later, but how he will do is something well have to see. In order for him to stick, he’ll likely have to find more dimensions to his game and improve his skating ability.