Tim Khokhlachev #22 (F, L, Shreveport, 6’4″, 210lbs, late 2001)
(3.75 Star Amateur Rating, NHL Grade — C) Forward
This is (in part) what we wrote about Tim in a report that we published on 10/16/17 — “…6’1, 187lbs, Hill Academy, 11/6/01) ….plays much older than his age…very strong on his skates…has great speed… quick hands and an accurate shot…At 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds, he uses his size to play a physical game without fear…”
Two years later we saw him play in the NAHL Showcase and our most recent report says “…straight line speed…solid net front and scored in tight…not consistent in his shooting…stride is choppy…strong puck protection…can take over in offensive zone below the dots”.
We immediately start to think and fill in the grey areas;
Then – He was big at 6’1 and had great speed. Now – He is massive at 6’4 and has straight line speed with a choppy stride.
Then – Quick hands and accurate shot. Now – Scored in tight, but not a consistent shooter
Then – Very strong on his skates. Now – Strong puck protection and can take over the game below the dots.
Then – Plays the game without fear. Now – Just guessing, but we would imagine he’s still not afraid.
So now we’re going to work to fill in the blanks. He’s grown three inches in two years and put on 25lbs while trying to play in the USHL and NAHL. These two leagues are not sympathetic to growing pains. The competition is high and the organizations want to win. We don’t know for sure, but we’re guessing that Tim didn’t get big minutes and his massive body probably struggled to get going after long stretches of sitting on the bench. But at the core of it all Tim is a 6’4 210lbs winger with an attitude who can still protect the puck and has quick hands. We believe he will grow into himself and when he does, Tim will get his stride and speed back.
And then what are we looking at? First, a college program is going to have to take a chance on him, get him in the weight room, work with him and realize that when Tim is a Junior he is going to look nothing like he does now. Second, an NHL team’s scouting department is going to be doing their home work, use our evaluations and be confident that in 5 seasons Tim will be a mountain of a man who has great top speed and weighs in at around 225lbs. Combine that with quick hands, dependable in his own end, a fearless attitude and you might have yourself a late round pick who turns into a solid bottom 6 NHLer.
Is Tim worth watching and tracking this year? Absolutely. Is he a sure thing? Absolutely not. But in all honesty these players are all projects. Some are First Rounders because the risk is smaller. Others are late rounders because realistically they will never develop into an NHLer, but a team thinks there is the slightest chance. The late rounds are where an organization can build continued success. Draft and stash for a few years. Believe in the player’s mind, heart and commitment. Is Tim one of those players? Is he a kid who will fight through his literal growing pains to come out on the other side as an NHLer? Nobody ever knows what makes a kid tick and we’re confident that Tim isn’t on many team’s draft boards yet. But we feel that Tim is worth tracking. Worth getting to know. Because in 5 years the odds of him making the NHL are the same as any late round pick. But if he gets there? He’s going to be a damn big boy who can fly.
OUR 2019 NAHL SHOWCASE REPORT – The Moscow import carves out space. He is very strong in his core and his straight-line speed at 6’3” is not elite but very good. Solid net front and scored in tight. He showed fleeting skills in space but was not consistent in his shooting or handling of the puck. He is still quite raw. We questioned his offensive IQ at times but he was solid in his own end. Doesn’t dust the puck off and moves it quickly but we wonder if that is perhaps because he cannot carry it for long. His stride is a bit choppy but displays above average speed once his legs are under him. He has strong puck protection ability and can take over in the offensive zone below the dots.
