In 1st-Round Pick Yegor Surin, Predators Believe They Got a Steal

Russian forward Yegor Surin was a "swing-for-the-fences" pick for the Nashville Predators at No. 22 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, with most public scouting lists projecting him to go in the second round. However, the Predators were worried that he might sneak higher – so much so that they were trying to trade up in the draft order to get him.

Related: Predators Select Yegor Surin With No. 22 Pick in 2024 Draft

"We were trying to move up a few times," general manager Barry Trotz said. "Thank God he slipped through and we were able to get him."

Trotz said trade offers included packaging some of the Nashville's later round picks to move up to the the middle of the first round.

"Fortunately, no one would take my gift, and we were able to get him right where we got him," Trotz said.

At 6'1" and 192 pounds, Surin profiles as a strong two-way forward. What he may lack in polish or discipline, he makes up for with his high offensive upside and above-average physicality and puck protection skills.

"He's got a good mixture of hard skill," Trotz said of Surin. "Our scouts said he plays like (Florida Panthers forward) Sam Bennett. He's got a good motor, high skill set, and he's a driven kid."

Surin spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with Loko Yaroslavl of the Russian junior league (MHL), recording 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 42 games. He led his team in points during the postseason with 23 (5 goals, 18 assists) and went on to make his professional hockey debut in 2023-24, appearing in three games for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL.

Clearly, the Predators think highly of Surin, and they believe he can help fill an area of organizational need.

“We're just really excited to get him,” Predators chief amateur scout Tom Nolan said. “He's just a combination of hard-working, character and high skill – his motor is always running. He’s a center – we’re always looking for centers – and he plays hard, is really physical and brings a lot of skill.”

Surin's "motor" has garnered praise from scouts around the league; he plays a fearless game and is a disruptive force for his opponents.

“I like [to] make hits, but I can also play a smart game,” Surin said. “And for me, it’s also not a problem if I fight.”

Related: L'Heureux Making a Case for NHL Roster Spot with Predators Next Season

Surin compared his gritty game to that of NHL forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Ivan Barbashev. He led the MHL in postseason hits (64), in addition to the 103 he recorded during the regular season.

“That's what we like about him, is that he has an effect on the game,” Trotz said. “We've got a few players like that, like Zach L’Heureux who we drafted and has some of that high skill and was the leading scorer in the American Hockey League playoffs for a good portion… So, we love those guys that have that combination of grit and spirit, if you will. And if you have that combination, you're probably going to have some people trying to come at you a little bit, so we don't mind that at all.”