NHL Draft Profile 1.0 features a prospect who fits the NY Islanders identity

What makes Chernyshov such a dynamic player?

Igor Chernyshov’s skating is definitely one of his strengths, and if opponents let him reach anywhere near top speed, Chernyshov is hard to stop. He can also take the puck across the length of the ice, leaving opponents lagging behind, which lets him to make a play in the offensive zone, or to dish the puck elsewhere and allow a teammate to finish the job. 

Chernyshov’s strong skating and overall size let him crash the net at will when he can get behind opponents. This also allows him to engage in one-on-one battles with opposing goaltenders, giving him a chance to show off an adequate shot and raise the likelihood he will end a sequence with a goal. 

Chernyshov also doesn’t need to score highlight-reel goals, as he’s fine with playing a north-south game and using a simple yet powerful shot to either put the puck in the back of the net or get a potential rebound. This isn’t to say he won’t score on one-timers, but most of his goals will come with a low-key approach, yet it works for him, even if he has room to improve it. 

There’s also nothing fancy about his puck control, so you won’t see Chernyshov light up the highlight reel with breathtaking plays. Instead, he will do just enough to keep the puck from an opponent before either crashing the net for a scoring chance or passing it elsewhere. 

This also means Chernyshov is that player willing to score “dirty goals,” and it’s why so many of his best plays have either come while he’s attacking the net or if he’s setting up shop somewhere near the crease. He’s also not always attacking down the wing, instead preferring to take the puck up the middle and take on as many opponents as necessary to make something happen.