2023 NHL Draft: The Case for Daniil But

There’s a lot of talk about the San Jose Sharks and draft pick number four. It makes sense. A lot of the league has no clue what San Jose plans to do with that pick and the choice Sharks’ management makes could have a ripple effect throughout the league.

In all of the chaos, it’s easy to forget that San Jose has another pick in the first round. Pick number 26.

As things shake out on draft day, options are going to fly off the board. The top 5-10 or so are pretty easy to predict – though the exact order might be tough. After that, it’s anyone’s guess.

Pundits have predicted that a few good options will be left when the Sharks are called at 26. NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman has the Sharks drafting Daniil But at 26 overall. So does Steven Ellis of the Daily Faceoff.

Daniil But, LW – Locomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL)

Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 203 lbs.
Age/DOB: 18, Feb. 15, 2005
Shoots: Right
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL): 15 games, 2 points (2 G, 0 A)
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (KHL) Playoffs: 1 game, 0 points
Loko Yaroslavl (MHL): 26 games, 26 points (15 G, 11 A)
Loko Yaroslavl (MHL) Playoffs: 7 games, 9 points (4 G, 5 A)
Russia U18 (all) International-Jr: 3 games, 4 points (1 G, 3 A)

The scouting report

This is the second tier of players in the NHL draft, so we’re looking at guys who aren’t even close to ready to make the jump to the big time just yet. Note that But isn’t putting up great numbers as a boy playing in a man’s league. He played a few KHL games last season; however, he mostly played a level lower in the MHL.

That’s okay. He’s only 18. Even if he’s not ready to play with the big boys, he’s already a very large man. And, as Elite Prospects reports, But’s size is not necessarily a detriment to his game.

“The first thing that jumps out at you with But – once you get past the way he towers over everyone else on the ice – is just how coordinated, dextrous, and creative he is with the puck on his stick,” wrote Elite Prospects. “His ability to chain difficult pass receptions into handling moves and handling moves into passes or shots is really quite remarkable. Not even just for someone his size, either. On top of that, But is a potent finisher, capable of getting his shot off on either leg, with a quick release, and almost textbook mechanical form.”

Kimelman highlighted But’s skating and shot as the reason he picked the forward to go to the Sharks. Meanwhile, the Daily Faceoff’s Ellis sees But as a steal at 26.

“He’s much more skilled than your average 6-foot-5 forward, which is very intriguing. But he can do a lot of damage around the crease, both with his shot and how he pushes players around,” wrote Ellis.

Nick Richard at Dobber Prospects also likes But’s shot.

“Big, powerful sniper with good puckhandling skills. Needs to learn to use his size more effectively to reach his full potential,” wrote Richard.

The case against But

Size does matter, however, and there is also such a thing as too big.

EP Rinkside evaluated But in April and pointed out that along with undersized forwards being underrepresented in the league, so too are oversized forwards. But’s size, in this case, may be a detriment to his game according to EP Rinkside’s David St. Louis.

“Due to their great lengths, But’s limbs can’t fold into an athletic, balanced, and explosive skating stance. He can hold on to possession under pressure and drive through opponents — to an extent — but it’s hard for him to escape these opponents with the puck and catch up to them on the forecheck,” wrote St. Louis. “Unfortunately, those are the main abilities necessary to become a powerforward, the role many envision for him. But has the sense, strength, and stick skills necessary to perform that role, but he probably would have been a better fit for it had his growth spurt stopped just a bit earlier.”

Another knock against the large forward is that he is Russian. Much like the case Fear the Fin made against Matvei Michkov, But also has to suffer the consequences of the current global climate.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has skyrocketed tensions between the U.S. and Russia. As we pointed out in our look at Michkov, those tensions could cause problems for a team that wants to be involved in a player’s development. If But were to stay in Russia, how much say would the Sharks have in shaping him as a player? How much communication would San Jose have with But’s coaches?

These could be red flags for a team considering two otherwise equal players.

The case for But

But has no control over his country of origin. If the Sharks choose to draft him, fans will have to have confidence that General Manager Mike Grier and company did their due diligence before making the pick. What But does have control over is what he does with the assets at his disposal, and it appears he’s a smart enough player to understand his weaknesses and adapt his game to make up for them. But counteracts his inability to be an explosive skater with a strong hockey IQ.

“Rarely does But go into a situation without having preemptively identified his outlets. He’s clever and aware and knows where to move the disc to keep it in possession of his team,” wrote EP Rinkside’s St. Louis.

And while size can be an issue, it can also be an asset. His long reach and stick will give opposing players fits. But could be a force to be reckoned with on the forecheck and while backchecking.

What’s more, given time to adjust to his recent growth spurts, But could learn to adapt his frame to his new size.

But’s shot is also something that scouts say is NHL level. You can see just how good it is in the highlights below.

Highlights