As per Laurie Carr, Rangers prospect Mikhail Pashnin will play in North America this year, likely in the AHL with the CT Whale. Pashnin, the Rangers 7th round pick (#200) in the 2009 draft, is a defensive defenseman who plays bigger than his 5’11, 190 lb frame. Don’t let the late draft pick fool you, he was the first overall pick in the KHL draft that same year. He fell so far in the draft because he was obliged to the KHL for a few seasons after his NHL draft year. Sometimes good things come to those who wait.
Pashnin is a stay at home guy who won’t wow you with his point production, but he will wow you his physical presence for such a small frame. The kid is tough as nails, and for those wanting to see an end to the constant run-ins of the opposition with Henrik Lundqvist, Pashnin will surely help to put an end to that. Having played in the KHL, he is likely to be more polished than some of the other prospects, but will help solidify a solid blue line with Pavel Valentenko and Tomas Kundratek leading the way.
Also, expect Wade Redden to bring him under his wing, like he did with so many prospects last season. You may laugh at that statement, but Redden has done wonders for the defensive prospects.
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