After many, many seasons of absolute failure, the Utah Mammoth will finally have a first-round pick that isn't a top-five or top-10 pick. The predecessor to the Mammoth, the Arizona Coyotes, missed the postseason for their final four years of existence, which wasn't even the end of the drought, as the Utah Hockey Club missed the playoffs again, marking their 5th season in a row without making the playoffs. Finally, this season, their fortunes changed with a 43-33-6 record that saw them reach the postseason, and they will have the 19th selection overall in the first round as a result. It will be very interesting to see who the team selects, but one player stands out.
Russian standout out of Miami (OH) University could make a lot of sense
Ilia Morozov is a certain first-round pick in the upcoming draft and is predicted to go in the first 20 overall picks. Morozov is set to turn 18-years-old in August, but offers a lot for the Mammoth, who are probably looking for a forward with a lot of potential. Morozov, from Moscow, Russia, is a defensive standout with scoring ability. In 36 games with the Miami Redhawks, Morozov scored 8 goals and added 12 assists. Many other players may add a lot more points and offensive prowess in the NCAA.
However, it should be noted that it was Morozov's first season in the NCAA, and the freshman, who is 6'3 "and 200 lbs, added significant value to the Redhawks. Morozov finds the puck often and can play like a defenseman at times. The closest comparison to Morozov currently in the NHL is veteran Evgeni Malkin, who hasn't just been a good defending center in his career- he has also scored 533 goals and added 874 assists. The Russian standout is only rising in draft stock as he has continued to perform well in America, and the Mammoth shouldn't pass him up.
Morozov will only continue to develop in college
With the young age of Morozov, if the Mammoth were to draft him, he would likely play more for the Redhawks. The good thing is that the level of college hockey can be great, as it provides players with experience. Many young NHL stars have benefited from attending college in America and playing for some of the best teams, including Macklin Celebrini, Cole Caufield, and Cale Makar. The NCAA can, at times, offer a seamless transition from there to the NHL.
If the Mammoth drafts Morozov, he will have a chance to become one of the best young players in America, and he could become a pretty high prospect. The Mammoth and even the Coyotes have done pretty well at drafting players in the first round, and hopefully that can continue. Morozov might be the best option for the Mammoth, and if they do draft him, there is most certainly no reason to be mad at that. In fact, it would probably be an amazing selection. Even with the 19th overall selection, the Mammoth can do a lot with that.
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