Zhilkin\u2019s Stats & Shot Tracking Data vs. Erie Otters, Oct. 24, 2025<\/p>\n
I asked around to find Zhilkin\u2019s best game from last season, and the one I landed on was his Oct. 24, 2025 performance against the Erie Otters. Points alone don\u2019t tell the full story of a game, so while he\u2019s done better in that regard, he showcased his most encouraging qualities. But he still put up a goal and an assist, both on the power play.<\/p>\n
Below, I tracked all of the shot attempts Zhilkin was on the ice for at 5-on-5. He was outscored 1-0 (on a play that wasn\u2019t really his fault, which you\u2019ll see in the game footage later) and took a minor penalty, but the chances heavily favored Saginaw, who won 5-3. The visiting Otters generated two shots on goal with Zhilkin on the ice.<\/p>\n
By my count, Zhilkin was on the ice for 27 shot attempts to Erie\u2019s eight, giving him a Corsi share<\/a> of 77.14%. Unblocked shot attempts were 15-6 for the home side, giving him a 71.43% Fenwick share. Shots were 10-2 in Saginaw\u2019s favor, which comes out to 83.33%.<\/p>\n Aside from an odd-man rush that led to the goal against, the Otters didn\u2019t generate much of anything with Zhilkin on the ice. He, on the other hand, had six shot attempts at 5-on-5\u2014three of them on target\u2014and set up some good looks for his teammates.<\/p>\n A Look at Zhilkin\u2019s Game Tape vs. Erie<\/p>\n Shot data is useful, but it can only tell us so much. Here are most of Zhilkin\u2019s puck touches from the game vs. Erie, in addition to the goal-against sequence, which starts at 3:32.<\/p>\n An early-season game from Dima Zhilkin (SAG71) last year \u2013 10\/24\/2025<\/p>\n 1g, 1a, 2p, and a -1 rating but outshot Erie by quite a bit at 5v5 pic.twitter.com\/RMvvuLoxLc<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Justin Giampietro (@justinghockey) August 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n In July, Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis noted<\/a>, \u201cThe mid-sized forward plays with relentless energy, making sure he\u2019s involved physically in every single shift. He\u2019s not afraid to play on the edge of life or death because he comes out with the puck more often than not. Zhilkin is an electric shooter, and he\u2019s equally as good as a setup man.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s more or less what I got from Zhilkin\u2019s performance, though while many rave about the youngster\u2019s physicality<\/a>, I see him as an energetic skill type\u2014not necessarily a player who is going to initiate contact to gain possession of the puck. (This is a one-game sample from 10 months ago, though, so I\u2019d take the scouts\u2019 word over mine.)<\/p>\n A big positive for Zhilkin in this one was his ability to handle the puck. He was very comfortable in that regard, carrying it for several seconds and looking for openings.<\/p>\n I thought some of his decision-making could have been better, but he A) still set up plenty of opportunities, especially relative to the Otters, and B) he had just turned 17 when this game transpired. Stagnation from now until draft day is possible but unlikely.<\/p>\n Zhilkin was Saginaw\u2019s top offensive generator on a line featuring Nikita Klepov<\/a>, who was selected 15th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 2026 NHL Draft. I thought Klepov was more \u201ccomplete,\u201d to be clear, but that was always the upside with him<\/a>. So, suffice it to say, Zhilkin was impressive.<\/p>\n What I\u2019d Like to See From Zhilkin in 2026-27<\/p>\n Zhilkin is set to rejoin the Spirit for the 2026-27 campaign as the team\u2019s captain (a role he assumed in Jan. 2026<\/a>). However, with top forwards Egor Barabanov<\/a> and potentially Klepov both being gone, No. 71 will have even more responsibility.<\/p>\n My ideal season for Zhilkin is one where he, for starters, flashes his finishing ability again. He\u2019s a 15.8% career shooter in the OHL and recorded five goals in as many games at the U18 World Championship<\/a>\u2014scoring goals seems to be a major calling card for him.<\/p>\n Decision-making and physical engagement are also big ones for me. The OHL is more forgiving than the leagues above it, so it\u2019s important that Zhilkin evolves even further as a creator. Making the right decisions and being physically engaged separates the good shot generators from the elite ones.<\/p>\n Zhilkin ranked ninth in The Athletic\u2018s Scott Wheeler\u2019s first draft ranking for the 2027 class (from \u20182027 NHL Draft ranking: Landon DuPont tops Scott Wheeler\u2019s first top 25 list,\u2019 The Athletic, March 31, 2026). The Saginaw forward has work to do to climb that board, but it\u2019s certainly within his capabilities.<\/p>\n Free Newsletter<\/p>\n \n Get NHL Entry Draft coverage delivered to your inbox <\/p>\n In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes – free.<\/p>\n![\"Dimian](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Zhilkin_NS_1368-1200x885.jpg\")
Dimian Zhilkin of the Saginaw Spirit. Photo by Natalie Shaver\/OHL Images<\/p>\n