Confirmed with Link: Avs sign Kovalenko to 2-year deal

[McJedi]

You bros see Gulyaev today? In his first KHL playoff game.

Kid playing 2nd pair as an 18 year old goes for 1 goal, 1 apple, 5 shots on goal, 1 hit, 1 block shot and +3. His team blows out Lada. He gives Avangard a first star performance.

Gulyaev is having an incredible post draft season. He’s a key and core player on one of the best KHL teams. His coach plays him in all situations. Totally trusts the kid.

He should be right there with Ritchie rated as an A graded prospect.

Avs may have crushed the MFing first round of the 2023 draft.

If he keeps progressing, his KHL coach is going to have him playing top pair in the next year or two. Getting 20 minutes a game. 68 games + playoffs. They’ll do all his development for the Avs. By the time he’s 21 and his contract over there is up, we’ll Cale Makar him and just drop him right into our top 4 day one.

That’s your upgrade on Girard in a few years.

Kovalenko has an assist today. He’s coming over soon and I’m excited for it, but he’s a distant 2nd in terms of Avs most important prospects in the KHL.

 

[cinchronicity]

Torpedo up 3-2 at end of 2nd

 

[cinchronicity]

Avangard (Gulyayev) wins 5-1

 

[McJedi]

Avangard (Gulyayev) wins 5-1

And Gulyaev was the best player in the game.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[The Mars Volchenkov]

Torpedo spent a lot of time in their end the final two periods, so I don’t know if it’s sustainable, but a big win for them.

They went back to leaning on Kovalenko for ice-time, which they had gone away from.

Good day for the KHL guys. Gulyayev’s team could go on a good run.

 

[Alienblood]

You bros see Gulyaev today? In his first KHL playoff game.

Kid playing 2nd pair as an 18 year old goes for 1 goal, 1 apple, 5 shots on goal, 1 hit, 1 block shot and +3. His team blows out Lada. He gives Avangard a first star performance.

Gulyaev is having an incredible post draft season. He’s a key and core player on one of the best KHL teams. His coach plays him in all situations. Totally trusts the kid.

He should be right there with Ritchie rated as an A graded prospect.

Avs may have crushed the MFing first round of the 2023 draft.

If he keeps progressing, his KHL coach is going to have him playing top pair in the next year or two. Getting 20 minutes a game. 68 games + playoffs. They’ll do all his development for the Avs. By the time he’s 21 and his contract over there is up, we’ll Cale Makar him and just drop him right into our top 4 day one.

That’s your upgrade on Girard in a few years.

Kovalenko has an assist today. He’s coming over soon and I’m excited for it, but he’s a distant 2nd in terms of Avs most important prospects in the KHL.

upping that trade value

 

[McJedi]

upping that trade value

F that. Gulyaev is upping Girard’s trade value. Making Sam expendable in a few years.

 

[willy702]

upping that trade value

Screw that. I want a Malinski/Gulyaev third pairing to get to face opponents 4th liners. That would be like Ice Capades skating around them, breaking ankles, and putting on a show. Will they keep the puck out of their own net? Who knows, but man that would be fun to watch.

 

[Avs_19]

I’ll be honest, I haven’t watched any games or followed him too closely but he seems to be injured/banged up a lot due his playing style. Almost a wrecking ball type of playing style without the body to back it up. I’m curious how that translates. Hopefully he works out and adds depth.

 

[willy702]

I’ll be honest, I haven’t watched any games or followed him too closely but he seems to be injured/banged up a lot due his playing style. Almost a wrecking ball type of playing style without the body to back it up. I’m curious how that translates. Hopefully he works out and adds depth.

I think the only thing you can't predict is motor at the NHL level. Kovy looks like he has that though. If he does then that's a 3C/3W now talent with 2nd or fringe 1st upside. He's clearly more skilled than LOC and none of us think LOC is a liability as long as he's not forced too high into the lineup. And having an NHL father has to be a huge help at things like playing smart to avoid getting hit and overall just making sure you can handle the grind as best as possible.

I really hope the Avs find a way to use him this postseason. We don't have to rely on him for anything in particular but really we could use a guy in the bottom six that creates a goal or two each series. After Helm was hurt we didn't get that lower line magic we got in 2022. Maybe Kovy is the guy to bring it back.

 

[The Kingslayer]

Screw that. I want a Malinski/Gulyaev third pairing to get to face opponents 4th liners. That would be like Ice Capades skating around them, breaking ankles, and putting on a show. Will they keep the puck out of their own net? Who knows, but man that would be fun to watch.

Im here for it.

 

[Alienblood]

F that. Gulyaev is upping Girard’s trade value. Making Sam expendable in a few years.

maybe

 

[a mangy Meowth]

I’ll be honest, I haven’t watched any games or followed him too closely but he seems to be injured/banged up a lot due his playing style. Almost a wrecking ball type of playing style without the body to back it up. I’m curious how that translates. Hopefully he works out and adds depth.

Let's not act like the majority of our roster isn't held together with duct tape, toothpicks, and elmer's. He'll fit right in!

 

[AvsMakar08]

Wasn't Gulyaev ranked higher then 31st in the draft but teams passed him because he is playing in KHL?

 

[LTCPain75]

Wasn't Gulyaev ranked higher then 31st in the draft but teams passed him because he is playing in KHL?

Mikhail Gulyayev - 2023 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Mikhail Gulyayev is an excellent offensive defensemen who projects to go early in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft.

thehockeywriters.com

Rankings​

• NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters): 8th
• Elite Prospects: 21st
• FC Hockey: 15th
• TSN/Bob McKenzie: 24th
• The Hockey Writers (Baracchini/January): 16th
• The Hockey Writers (Horn/January): 31st

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[AllAboutAvs]

The plan went off the rail for a short while but it is back on track now. Torpedo lost again today and are now down 1-2 in the series. Kovy with 1a today in a 5-2 loss.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[Pokecheque]

I liked it better when the KHL said "f*** you" to everyone and had their nameplates in Cyrillic.

 

[Tommy Shelby]

Loving the intensity. Gonna need that for the playoffs

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Loving the intensity. Gonna need that for the playoffs

Nobody will beat him to the nacho lines with that type of intensity.

 

[Alienblood]

Loving the intensity. Gonna need that for the playoffs

Bednar will give him 1 game and that will be it

 

[Perratrooper]

Holy f*** who is the titan who goes after him!?

 

[Hesher]

Novgorod is down 3:1, their season probably ends on Saturday.