Rocco and Darren are within a point of each other on 8 of 10 categories. Biggest split: Physicality (8.1 vs. 6.5). Strongest tool: Skating - Quickness/Agility at 9.0.
Each dot is that scout's average for the category across their reports. The white tick is the consensus: the average of every report, each counted once. A red dashed gap means the scouts are 1.5 points or more apart. Tap a row to see every report's score.
A dynamic, undersized forward who gets up to speed quickly and uses a high volume of strides to generate excellent acceleration. He possesses a strong first step, good pivoting ability, and impressive edgework, allowing him to change direction effectively and maintain a low centre of gravity. His skating mechanics and agility are particularly impressive for a smaller player, giving him the ability to create separation and make defenders uncomfortable.
His combination of speed and shooting ability is a significant offensive weapon. He possesses an elite rush wrist shot that comes off with considerable velocity and catches goaltenders off guard. The combination of his acceleration and heavy release makes him particularly dangerous attacking with speed, as goaltenders often struggle to react cleanly. He is also a legitimate one-timer threat on the power play, getting shots off quickly and with authority.
Offensively, he is a shoot-first player, but there is more to his game than just his release. He makes generally good decisions on the rush, moves the puck quickly, and demonstrates good passing ability to complement his shooting threat. His puckhandling is strong, and he can be difficult for defenders to read because of his ability to manipulate the puck and change direction. He has excellent in-zone shiftiness and can create opportunities through individual skill. He consistently generates quality zone entries using a combination of carrying, passing, and well-timed chip decisions. He also shows good instincts around the net, understanding when to stop and operate around the goal rather than simply skating through the scoring area.
An interesting aspect of his game is his ability to handle some centre responsibilities. His low centre of gravity helps him compete effectively on faceoffs, where he has shown the ability to win draws at a solid rate. He is a strong receiver of the puck and has the handling ability to make plays in tight areas. His offensive versatility is appealing, as he can operate as a shooting threat on the power play or work down low and create opportunities through puck distribution and individual skill. He possesses a high-end combination of speed, puck skill, and change-of-direction ability.
Defensively, he demonstrates good effort and a willingness to engage. He has a strong stick and actively tries to disrupt plays, although his smaller reach can limit his effectiveness in certain situations. His skating and strong first step provide some penalty-killing potential, as he can pressure opponents and close space quickly. He is also an effective forechecker for a smaller player, with his speed and consistent motor allowing him to get in quickly and create pressure.
The biggest concern is his physical stature. He is definitely undersized, and while he shows a willingness to finish checks and compete physically, there are concerns about his ability to withstand the physical demands of higher levels. There were instances where bigger opponents were able to physically remove him from plays and limit his effectiveness. His lack of size and reach could become increasingly problematic against stronger, more physically imposing competition.
Overall, he's an undersized but highly skilled offensive forward whose acceleration, edgework, puckhandling, and especially his elite rush wrist shot give him legitimate offensive upside. He has the ability to create offence independently, enter the zone consistently, and threaten as both a shooter and playmaker. His versatility, including some ability to play centre, adds to his appeal. The primary question is how well his skill set will translate against bigger, stronger competition. If he can continue to play through contact and maintain his effectiveness despite his size, he has the tools to become a dangerous offensive player.
Nice game by Zhilkin here, coming up with 2 goals on 4 shots (and a potential 3rd that was disallowed) and being a factor all over the ice. The high end skill mixed with high-intensity effort really popped here, and this is the combination that makes him so appealing as a prospect. His hands, especially in tight spaces, showed to be excellent, and he showed some make-miss ability throughout this game, beating guys regularly with the puck. His skating looked more shifty/agile than just straight ahead speed, and he used this agility quite effectively to change pace and direction to create time and space for himself. He displayed instances of creative playmaking, but was also guilty of trying to force a couple plays that led to turnovers. He was not afraid to shoot it, with 9 shot attempts, and he has more of a quick shot than an overpowering one. That said, he can beat goalies clean at this level and is absolutely a shooting threat at the next level - he can get it off in a hurry. His puck handling at top speed was excellent, and this looks to be one of his most dangerous assets. Despite being slightly undersized, he isn't afraid of the dirty areas and was often initiating the play physically. He has some pest/grease to his game that shows up most viewings, including this one, and he definitely plays with an edge. A strong viewing from one of the most exciting prospects from the 2027 Draft.