The next Zdeno Chara is coming to the NHL!

The Arizona Coyotes stunned many at the 2023 NHL Draft when they went with an unexpected pick with the sixth overall selection. They chose defenseman Dmitry Simashev, who currently plays for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv in the KHL.

When the kid stepped onto the podium to put on the Coyotes’ jersey, GM Bill Armstrong immediately knew the Russian blue liner way bigger than initially thought.

Armstrong recently revealed that Simashev measures in at 6’7”, not the reported 6’4” that was making the rounds when he was first drafted!

Yes, that makes him the next Zdeno Chara, not just because of his height, but also thanks to his speed and incredible skating ability. The comparisons to the legendary defenseman make sense and fans and pundits cannot wait to see Simashev on NHL ice.

Simashev still has ways to go, but the kid is only 18 years old! However, it is very encouraging for the Coyotes to have the possibility to bring a giant on their back end and one that has the potential to become the next Zdeno Chara in the NHL.

We all know how legendary Chara’s career was and we cannot wait to see if Simashev can be inspired by the former Boston Bruins’ great!

This will be fun to watch!

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