Minnesota takes Russian center 86th overall

DALLAS -- The Wild snagged a highly-touted forward prospect with their second of three third-round picks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, selecting center Alexander Khovanov 86th overall Saturday.

Many experts considered Khovanov a first-round talent before illness sidelined him for the first couple months of the 2017-18 season. Here's more on the Russian 18-year-old:
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight:198 lbs.
Shoots: Left
Hometown: Saratov, Russia
2017-18 team: Moncton Wildcats
NHL Central Scouting Rank: 43 (North American skaters)

Scouting report:With good hands and an accurate shot, Khovanov's game has been compared to that of Auston Matthews. As recently as a year ago, Khovanov possessed first-round credentials according to many talent evaluators.
Then he took a trip to the Dominican Republic last summer.

Khovanov contracted Hepatitis A and didn't play a game for his Moncton Wildcats club until Dec. 28. Even while playing at less than 100 percent, he tallied nine goals and 19 assists in 28 games played and seven more in 12 postseason contests.
Before moving to Canada to play juniors, Khovanov was an All-Star in Russia's version of the Canadian Hockey League, producing 22 points in 29 games with Irbis Kazan. He was also a member of Russia's bronze medal winner at the 2016 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, where he scored five goals and added a pair of assists.
Brent Flahr, Wild senior vice president of hockey operations: "Khovanov is a skilled center that missed the first part of the season due to illness."
Related:
- Draft Central - Minnesota takes McBain to open third round - Wild officials call Johansson the 'smart' pick