This thread was page 3 and pretty dormant for 3+ months. Add 3 months for now and it's June and draft time. We now know 1st rd pick survived the TDL....but, we're not out of the woods, if it will be dealt prior to the draft. Will go with that they are keeping it.
With the arrival of Kuzmenko and his first game today...loving the skill and ability to instantly make the PP look alive and a threat. Great puck possession and creating so many chances. Kuz didn't even have 1 practice?
Impressive. Hopefully he's on the scoresheet tomorrow in Vegas and Kings win.
Thinking with the reported Gavrikov long term extension close, there will be a Russian presence here for years, which is rare. If Kuzmenko does well, a chance he will sign...but hard to believe if they would qualify that 5.5M. Maybe they don't qualify and get him on a better cap. I like that he's playing for a contract and they are not on the hook for another 5.5.
That being said, was looking at rd 1 prospects and Russian Ivan Ryabkin is rated between 10 - 25, with a chance of slipping rd 2. I'd seriously look closely at taking him, if available. 6' 200 lbs, still 17. Turns 18 April 25. He started in the MHL this year, but came over to play in the USHL in Muskegan and has a ppg there, over 16 games. 50 pim. Think he was suspended for something. Last yr in the MHL, led his team with 58 pts in 44 games (breaking the record by Michkov!)....Igor Chernyshov (2nd rd 2024 Sharks) had 28 pts in 22 games with his team, last yr. So, I'm sure Ryabkin was heavily scouted and anticipated to be a 1st rd in '25. Chernyshov came over to OHL and has an INSANE 44 pts in 18 games! 17 goals 27 assists 44 pts. This surely must be the highest ppg in OHL....Greentree has 120 pts in 62 games. So, consider Ryabkin had more pts than Chernyshov last year and Chernyshov is now destroying the OHL. He was on my list, as rd 1 was going by and the Kings dealt 21 for 26...as players went off the board, I had Greentree, Chernyshov and EJ Emery. Glad the Kings took Greentree. Chernyshov would have been good too.
Ryabkin has immense skill and is patient with the puck...makes beautiful plays...has some power to his game. Great release and hands in tight. Can play W or C. I like that he's already in the USA...had size, strength, high end skills. He could join the Reign next year, as far as I know. With Gavy here several years, the possibility of Kuzmenko here, would love to add some more elite skill Russians.
It's been said he's considered 'divisive', in that he has some history with players and coaches.
I didn't see any specifics...but not going to dig into more than a few minutes of having looked for
what they were. I'm sure the Kings know and if he will not make the grade for a character guy.
If he doesn't pass, then fine. I like the idea of getting top end skill into the system and the sooner, the better. Didn't have any forward adds to AHl this year...except Jamsen and Pinelli last year.
I would think Kenny Connors signs and will be on the Reign next year...not sure about Jared Wright or Jack Hughes...both having poor seasons. Kaleb Lawrence is an ECHL / AHL tweener this year. Koehn Ziemmer should join the Reign this coming year as well. Greentree, a year away. If they could get a prospect like Ryabkin in this coming year, that would be awesome. Please don't resign all these vets...Gawdin, Malott, Hudon. I understand having some, but they keep the Pinelli's from a top6 role until their 3rd year. Ridiculous. Other teams are graduating their picks by year 3 to the NHL.
Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Ivan Ryabkin, 2007-04-25 Balakovo, RUS Russia. Most recently in the USHL with Muskegon Lumberjacks. Complete player biography and stats.
www.eliteprospects.com