5 sleepers at forward the Blackhawks must consider in the 2024 NHL Draft

Yegor Surin, C/RW/Loko Yaroslavl

Yegor Surin has the right size, at 6’1, 192 lbs, and his production is on point. He put up a promising season in 2022-23, with 31 points and 12 goals in 48 regular season games with Loko Yaroslavl and Loko-76 Yaroslavl, capping off a successful rookie year. 

He made his KHL debut this season and appeared in three games at the highest level. Surin also made a respectable jump in productivity in the MHL, with 53 points in 43 games and 23 goals. He also had an outstanding 23 points and five goals in 19 playoff games, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t produce even greater numbers next season. 

So why would Surin fall so far in the draft if his productivity is on point and he possesses ideal size for a 17-year-old? One issue is that he played for a phenomenal team, so it bodes the question: Is Yegor Surin that good, or was it Loko Yaroslavl? 

It’s a valid question and one that could drive teams like the Blackhawks into overlooking him for another forward. But if Davidson is able to see beyond this team’s sheer talent and looks to the ultra-aggressive player besides just the points-producer that Surin is, taking the kid if the opportunity presents itself shouldn’t be a tough decision.