Getting to Know: Foerster and Pashin

The tentative dates for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft have been moved up to Oct 6-7 and then free agency starts Oct. 9.

The draft, originally set for June 26-27 in Montreal, will be done in a virtual environment.

The Detroit Red Wings have three second-round picks — their own, the Edmonton Oilers’ pick (acquired in the trade that sent Andreas Athanasiou to Edmonton) and the Washington Capitals’ pick (acquired in the trade that sent Nick Jensen to Washington).

For the next several weeks, DetroitRedWings.com will take a look at some of the players, one North American and one international each week, who are likely to be available.

This week there are a couple of right wings to examine, starting with Tyson Foerster of the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts.

Foerster, who is 6-foot-2, 194 pounds, had 36 goals, 44 assists and 53 penalty minutes in 62 games last season.

NHL Central Scouting had Foerster 21st among North American skaters in its final rankings, released April 8.

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Craig Button, TSN’s director of scouting, had Foerster 15th overall on his final Craig’s List.

Button’s TSN colleague, Bob McKenzie, ranked Foerster 29th.

The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler had Foerster 35th in his final ranking for the 2020 NHL Draft’s top 100 prospects.

“Foerster was a driver of offense on a team that needed it in Barrie this season and he just kept getting better as the year went along,” Wheeler said. “When it was all said and done, his 80 points ranked fifth among first-year draft eligibles in the OHL. I was particularly impressed by his second half when, after the Colts dealt the bulk of their core, he continued to produce. He was also impressive at the CHL Top Prospects Game, where he made a trio of superb plays off the rush. He’s an excellent shooter, particularly in catch-and-release scenarios in motion.

“After the Colts traded Ryan Suzuki on Jan. 10, Foerster went on a 13-game point streak to close out the season with 33 points in his final 25 games. I worry his skating and pace of play may not be high-end enough to reach his true potential, but if he can make some progress there, he’s got the rest.”

The Athletic’s Corey Pronman placed Foerster 46th in his 2020 NHL Draft Board: Top 122 prospects.

“Foerster had a great season, scoring 36 goals and 80 points in 62 OHL games, generating a lot of shots as a driving force for Barrie even after Ryan Suzuki was traded,” Pronman noted. “Foerster’s shot is the first thing scouts bring up. He has an absolute cannon. He can one-time from the circles and beat goalies clean, which is a highly desirable skill. Foerster is also a high-end passer who can find seams consistently, which combined with his shot, makes him very dangerous on the power play.

“The main issue with Foerster is his skating. His stride is awkward, he hunches over, it breaks down often and prevents him from being dangerous on entries. I debated between a 55 and a 60 for his puck skills. When you watch him in practice it’s clear he has tremendous hands, and in games you can see it come out, but he rarely executes, which may be due to a lack of quickness and not a lack of skill. I don’t see him as a physical player who will PK in the NHL, but he works on the ice and wins enough engagements.”

Red Line Report also placed Foerster 46th overall, saying, “We love everything about his game. He’s got a prototypical power winger’s frame that is only going to get stronger. Has elite vision and hockey sense in all three zones, and is a highly imaginative playmaker. He does everything at a pro level. Has a wicked shot with a lightning release. Extremely smart and patient. Deadly sniper. Big, strong, and rugged. Plays a physical game and is strong in puck battles. Goes to all the right areas at the right times. Has excellent hands and fine playmaking skills. Strong work ethic. He simply can not skate. Not even a little bit. Lacks both first step quickness and a top-end gear. Struggles in transition and to keep his feet moving. And the problem is not a lack of leg strength. It’s a short, ugly, knock- kneed stride. We don’t know if that can be fixed. If it could, you’d be looking at a top-15 pick.”

Over in Russia, right win Alexander Pashin, who is small at 5-foot-8, 154 pounds, had 17 goals, 22 assists and 35 penalty minutes in 37 games for Ufa in the MHL.

NHL Central Scouting had Pashin 22nd among international skaters.

TSN’s Button ranked Pashin 47th while McKenzie placed him 89th overall.

The Athletic’s Wheeler had Pashin 65th on his final rankings while Pronman had him 54th.

“Pashin was a top player for one of the best teams in Russia’s junior league,” Pronman said. “But he was up and down in international play for Russia’s U18 team. He is a player who ticks a lot of the boxes you’re looking for in a skill set. Pashin has great hands. His small area play is high-end and he’s so tough to strip pucks off due to how slippery he is. That he can skate very well and make highly skilled plays in motion makes him very dangerous. Pashin is also a player who moves the puck and finishes plays, with his vision being more impressive between the two.

“He is tiny at 5-foot-8, but Pashin is a competitor who I’ve seen push much bigger players off pucks and kill penalties effectively.”

Dobber Hockey said, “Pashin is an exciting player to watch. He’s small and loves to utilize his great skating ability and great hands to make flashy plays. He isn’t afraid to go to the dirty areas of the ice and he’s good at picking pockets but his all-around game leaves much to be desired, especially because it’s so inconsistent. He often cheats for offense instead of supporting his team defensively. Pashin is a boom-or-bust type player and a long-term project because he needs to play an offensive role in the NHL if he ever gets to that level.”

Red Line Report ranked Pashin 62nd overall, saying, “High-energy ball of fire is a dynamic offensive force. Tiny, but size shouldn’t hold him back – keeps feet moving all the time and his motor running without the puck. Very quick and elusive – supremely sharp cuts on edges to gain separation in tight quarters. Blows past even top d-men with his speed, and has the fast hands and slick moves to make any defender look silly in 1-on-1 situations off the rush. Does everything at an insanely high tempo – just seems to be operating at a different pace than everyone else on the ice.

“But was the biggest disappointment of the season for RLR. For all his great skills, frequently didn’t compete hard and often looked to avoid hits. Even when flying, mostly skated around the perimeter waiting for pucks to come to him. Frustrating – has the capacity to elevate his game when it matters most. Scored five goals in the Semis and Finals of last summer’s Hlinka Cup.”