With the 115th pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, the San Jose Sharks took a swing on defenseman Ilyas Magomedsultanov out of Loko Yaroslavl in Russia’s MHL. Admittedly, AI gave us a bit of help on this one, but we believe his last name is pronounced ma-go-MED-sul-ta-NOV. He’s a bit of a mystery to North American fans, but he brings a calm, physical presence to the blue line that could eventually pay off down the road.
Let’s poke around at get to know him and his game.
Ilyas Magomedsultanov, D – Lako Yaroslavl (MHL)
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 176 pounds
Age/DOB: 18, Oct. 24, 2006
Shoots: Left
Loko Yaroslavl (MHL): 40 games, 7 points, (1 G, 6 A), 37 PIMs
Loko-76 Yaroslavl (MHL): 3 games, 2 points (0 G, 2 A), 6 PIMs
Loko Yaroslavl (MHL Playoffs): 8 games, 0 points, 4 PIMs
The first thing that jumps out about Magomedsultanov is how composed he is in his own zone. He’s a left-shot defender who uses his 6’2” frame really well. He’s not afraid to throw hits, box guys out and block shots. He’s the type of player who doesn’t panic when under pressure and makes pretty smart, calm, simple plays with the puck.
Scouts have said he’s consistently engaged defensively and wins a ton of battles along the boards. He covers space effectively, reads plays well, and stays positionally sound. For teams looking to build out their depth with guys who can handle the grind of a defensive shift, he checks a lot of those boxes.
Offense is a work in progress
Magomedsultanov had just 7 points in 40 MHL games last season, and while he’s capable of moving the puck, he’s not really an offensive driver. His breakout passes are okay, but his shot and puck distribution in the offensive zone could use some polish. That said, he’s calm with the puck and doesn’t force things, which for a younger player in a high-pressure league like the MHL is still a good sign.
He’s also got a bit of edge to his game, which Sharks fans will like. Not overly aggressive, but he doesn’t shy away from contact, and you can tell he takes pride in shutting things down.
What needs work
Like a lot of mid-round D-men, the biggest knock is his skating. His stride is a little choppy, and he doesn’t have the same burst or mobility as some of the higher-end prospects in his class. If he wants to make the jump to North America in the next few years, improving his foot speed will be key.
His offensive upside is also pretty limited unless he adds a little more vision and decisiveness with the puck. But for a fourth-rounder, that’s not a huge concern.
Where he fits
Magomedsultanov is probably a long-term project. He’ll likely stay in Russia for at least another season or two, and the Sharks will hope he continues to round out his game over time. If all goes well, he could eventually turn into a reliable defenseman who plays on the PK and takes some tough defensive zone minutes.
It’s not a flashy pick, but it’s a smart one if you’re looking to build a blue line that can actually hold its own in the defensive zone. And considering how much San Jose’s system is leaning on puck movers right now, having someone more defensively focused in the pipeline makes a lot of sense.
Magomedsultanov might not have the name recognition or offensive flair, but if you’re into reliable, physical defensemen with a calm, steady approach, this could be your guy to watch over the next few years.
