Alexander Suzdalev

February 2024 – At the end of December, Suzdalev was loaned back to the WHL after his rights were traded to the Saskatoon Blades. In 13 games with Mora, he had three points and really was not given a great amount of ice time. With Saskatoon he has 18 points in 19 games, which is pretty underwhelming considering where he was last season but the Blades are a deep and loaded team so he is not leaned on like he was with the Pats last year. Pat Quinn

November 2023 – Suzdalev did not get in one game for the Bears and the Capitals instead decided to loan him to Mora IK of the HockeyAllsvenskan league in hopes of getting him better experience than playing again in junior. Pat Quinn

October 2023 – Suzdalev was sent down to the Hershey Bears as the Capitals are planning to let him play in the AHL right away after an impressive WHL campaign. Pat Quinn

July 2023 – Wrapping up his impressive 2022-23 WHL campaign for the Regina Pats, Suzdalev was tied for 11th in overall scoring and first in rookie scoring, as well as being second in scoring for the Pats. He registered 10 points in seven games as the Pats lost in round one to the Saskatoon Blades. The Pats’ were not the most complete team in the WHL, but they had the best player in Bedard, so it was a long road to get in to the playoffs. Next season will be a true season for Suzdalev as people will not say he produced because he played with Bedard. Reminder though, he played with Bedard on the powerplay or when the team needed a goal at the end of the game, all other time he was on his own line. Suzdalev has been moving up prospect charts and is looking like a future top six skilled player for the Capitals. Pat Quinn

February 2023 – Suzdalev has made quite the impression on the WHL this season. He is second on the team with 68 points in 49 games, he is also second in goals and shots at 30 and 121 respectively. The player leading the Regina Pats is some Conor Bedard kid that no one knows about. Do not think Suzdalev is getting a huge boost playing with Bedard though, as the two are separated at lot at EV play. The Pats are just an average WHL squad even with the best player in the CHL, so it is nice that Suzdalev is not just a passenger. His passing, deception and IQ have all translated very nicely, and it is good he has decided to try and shoot more. Suzdalev is still a few years away but it is good to see him developing well in the WHL. Pat Quinn

September 2022 – Suzdalev decided to join the WHL for 2022-23 playing for the team that drafted him the Regina Pats. He signed his three-year ELC this off season with Washington. There are two ways to look at this development. One is that the potential for tougher competition earlier is gone, as he will not be climbing the Swedish leagues. The second is that he gets to play with Connor Bedard, and work on his skill, likely rocketing him prospect depth charts in all keeper leagues. Pat Quinn

July 2022 – Suzdalev was selected by the Capitals with the 70th pick in the draft as the Capitals are betting on upside with this late pick. Pat Quinn

February 2022 – For a projected mid-round pick, Suzdalev has a great offensive toolbox. He is creative and deceptive with the puck and is consistently able to beat opponents using his hands. In addition, he is an adept passer with good vision. He certainly sees his role as a playmaker but he can finish as well, especially around the crease. His offensive capabilities make him a lock on HV71’s J20 squad’s first powerplay unit.

Suzdalev needs to improve his off-puck play. At times, his movement without the puck on his stick seems to be without intention. He appears disconnected from the game and behind the play, generally in the defensive and neutral zones. He also needs to improve his defensive reads. Suzdalev tries to keep the puck and opponent on the outside, and is fairly successful, but could play a more engaged defensive game. Beyond keeping the puck near the boards, he doesn’t consistently force turnovers or effectively pressure an opponent.

Currently, in the J20 Nationell playoffs, Suzdalev has continued his point-per-game pace. He has recorded three assists in a game twice during the postseason. Alexa Potack