Carolina Hurricanes’ Top 5 Russian Prospects: September 2024 – Hockey Writers – Carolina Hurricanes

Several Carolina Hurricanes prospects hit the ice in the first month of the regular season in Russia—let’s see who got off to the best start!

5. Alexander Rykov, Forward, 2005 (Traktor Chelyabinsk)

The fifth round pick of the 2023 NHL Draft showed his potential in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) despite limited opportunities as he only played his first game on September 26. He was able to score points in the pro league and gain significant ice time. , showing his ability to compete at this level. In early October, Alexander Rykov has already found the back of the net, showing a strong start to the season despite missing time.

His performance suggests he is poised for a successful season in the VHL. While being called up to the Kontinental Hockey League’s (KHL’s) Traktor Chelyabinsk team was a significant accomplishment, it could be a challenge given the team’s stacked roster. Still, Rykov’s consistent play and ability to capitalize on opportunities make him a valuable asset to his team, which is a team on the rise so it’s hard to imagine them going deep into the playoffs.

The promising defenseman, Alexander Siryatsky, was a 2024 fourth-round pick of the Canes and had a good September despite not making the KHL roster with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. His performance in the VHL and Junior Hockey League (MHL) was remarkable, showing his strength and skill on the ice. In the MHL, Siryatsky has been a dominant player, averaging over 20 minutes of ice time per game. This significant playing time allowed him to improve his game and effectively contribute to his team’s success.

Related: 5 Expected Storms to Watch in the KHL This Season

In the VHL, Siryatsky also made his mark, averaging 10-12 minutes of ice time per game. Despite the limited minutes, he was able to score at a professional level, which shows his ability to compete and perform well against experienced players. His consistent performances in both leagues have not gone unnoticed, and there is a good chance he will soon be called up to Metallurg’s first team.

3. Vladimir Grudinin, The Defender, 2003 (Severstal Cherepovets)

Vladimir Grudinin has been a key player for his team this season so far. Averaging around 19 minutes of ice time per game, the D-man has been a reliable presence on the blue line. He just scored his first goal of the season in a game against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod – that was his 100th KHL appearance. Despite Severstal Cherepovets’ struggles in the last half of the month, Grudinin – a former fifth-round pick back in 2022 – continued to show strong hockey.

His defensive play has been impressive, and he has been instrumental in Severstal’s playoff hunt. While more production from him would be welcome, his contributions on both ends of the ice were important to his team. As the season progresses, Grudinin’s role will likely become more important, and his continued development will be critical to Severstal’s success.

2. Alexander Nikishin, Defender, 2001 (SKA St. Petersburg)

The defender continues to be a key player for SKA St. In seven games following his return, Alexander Nikishin accumulated four points (one goal and three assists), showing his attacking abilities. His impressive performance is also highlighted by his plus-5 differential during this period, which reflects his strong defensive play.

Nikishin regularly logged more than 25 minutes of ice time per game, emphasizing his importance to the team. His ability to contribute offensively and defensively makes him a valuable asset for SKA, a team known for having one of the most loaded rosters in the league. With Nikishin playing high minutes, SKA is well positioned to make a deep playoff run as he will undoubtedly play a key role.

1. Nikita Artamonov, Forward, 2005 (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod)

Nikita Artamonov was Torpedo’s best player in September, collecting 11 points (six goals and five assists) in 12 games. His performance included a six-game scoring streak, highlighting his attacking prowess. Although Torpedo started the season on a low note, Artamonov’s contributions have contributed to the team’s recent success, helping them to four consecutive wins.

Artamonov’s ability to consistently find the back of the net and set up teammates has made him a key player for Torpedo. His strong performance not only boosted the spirit of the team but also established him as one of the leading goal scorers. After a solid rookie campaign, Artamonov, drafted last summer in the second round, is poised for an offseason, and his recent play suggests he’s ready to take on a more important role as the season progresses. Recently, Artamonov was ranked as the #2 U23 player in the KHL in the opening month of the regular season, trailing only Buffalo Sabers draftee Prokhor Poltapov.

HMs: Timur Kol, Defender, 2006 – limited ice time and no production; Andrei Krutov, Forward, 2006 – scored only at the junior level; Stanislav Yarovoy, Forward, 2003 – could do better, especially on the score sheet, but enjoys good ice time.