Daniil But

June 2023 – But has been selected 12th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2023 NHL Draft. Curtis Rines

April 2023 – But had a productive draft season which saw him produce at a point-per-game basis in the MHL while getting some games in the KHL, and even scoring two goals. But’s calling card is his shot, which he uses to fire pucks past junior-level goalies. He’s got a massive frame and has good hands for a big man. He boasts underrated playmaking abilities as well. Despite these tools But is not a complete package as his scanning habits, leverage skating, and compete level all need quite a bit of work. But had a very good MHL season, but given his size and toolbox, he could have dominated. Jordan Harris

October 2022 – Daniil But is a massive prospect whose best asset is his shot, and it is quite a heavy shot indeed. But can fire the puck with ease as it explodes off his stick and into the back of the net. He consistently beats MHL goalies and is rapidly catching up to his goal total from last season in much fewer games. He is a finisher who puts himself in good positions to optimize his chances to score and is successful off the rush and the cycle. 

But has more than just great size and a great shot. He has good hands and does a very good job receiving passes from teammates, even those that are off-target. Unlike most big men, he likes to use his skill and deke around players while playing more of a finesse game, and he’s proven to be effective at the MHL level. It remains to be seen whether it will translate to the NHL or even the KHL, but he is skilled. 

The rest of But’s game consists of good flashes and worrisome behavior. When But is on his game, moving his feet, and using his physicality, he can be a very effective player away from the puck, especially on the forecheck. The problem is that this is not consistent across my viewings of him. Another inconsistency is his leverage. When But is playing off the puck and is engaged, he gets into athletic positions to knock opposing players down and separate them from the puck. Conversely, when But possesses the puck, he’s often found skating quite upright, which eliminates most of his size advantage as his high center of gravity allows opposing players, who are much smaller, to knock him off his track. It’s not just when he’s skating into the offensive zone, it is also when he plays with the puck along the boards. Simply put, for a man of his size, he should not lose control of the puck or be moved around as much as he does. Finally, despite being a player who utilizes toe drags and dekes, he is an inconsistent puck carrier when followed, as he does not do an effective job shielding his stick and the puck with his body. He really should have a big competitive advantage in this area too, but has not done this with much consistency.

But’s skating is what you’d expect from a solid NHL prospect of his size. When he’s finished accelerating, his top speed is good, and he is fairly nimble and agile, given his size. As expected, due to his age and size, the issue is how he reaches top speed, as his acceleration is poor. If he’s receiving a pass from a nearly static position, chances are the opposing players will be able to catch up to him with relative ease. This is a correctable issue, to some degree, and can be improved with better lower-body strength and with an NHL-caliber skating coach, but for now, it takes him too long to get up to speed. When he is up to speed and skating with a purpose, he shows some impressive edgework for his size. In a few viewings, he’s had some very quick turns to lose a defender behind the net giving him space to make a pass to the slot.

Overall, But is a peculiar prospect as he boasts some undoubtedly strong traits and measurables, but he’s a big man who doesn’t consistently play like one. His shot is NHL caliber, but I don’t view him as a top-six scoring winger at the NHL level. But will need to transform his game quite a bit and utilize his physical gifts to be effective in the NHL. If he’s able to improve his leverage and be a more consistently hard player to play against, he could be an effective middle-six winger who can score goals for his line, all while being a shooting threat on a power play unit. Jordan Harris