C Ilya Nikolayev (2019, 88th, CGY)

[Tkachuk Norris]

Is he any good?

Russian prospects are always complete enigmas haha

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Russian prospects are always complete enigmas haha

In what sense?

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

In what sense?

Hard to get viewings.

 

[Caser]

 

[SirSamofHouseBennett]

Any news on this player?

 

[Caser]

Reportedly he is expected to spend next season playing for Metallurg Zhlobin in Belarus.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Definitely unconventional, I guess he really doesn't like the VHL. Can't blame him though.

 

[Caser]

 

[wings5]

Better than going to Belarus , hopefully it’s the AHL and not the ECHL though

 

[Caser]

 

[wings5]

Sounds like a backwards move , would have thought he would be playing in the AHL

 

[Caser]

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Anyone think he has NHL upside?

 

[Atas2000]

Anyone think he has NHL upside?

He is 20 and can't even stand out among 18-19 year olds, neither on his team or the league. If anything he always only had an outside chance, but moving to NA ws stupid and I don't see any progress.

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

@Caser Do you know the story behind the trajectory of his career?

Drafted back in 2019, played men's hockey in Russia and THEN US juniors the following year? ECHL last season and now just 22 games for the Wranglers.

Were there injuries or other factors?

 

[Caser]

@Caser Do you know the story behind the trajectory of his career?

Drafted back in 2019, played men's hockey in Russia and THEN US juniors the following year? ECHL last season and now just 22 games for the Wranglers.

Were there injuries or other factors?

I don't think there were injuries or something, just in the Lokomotiv organization it is usually quite a logjam in the pipeline, as they produce a lot of talent, but don't have a full-time VHL affiliate, so he decided to change the scenery. I think initially he planned to go to Belarus, but I guess the Flames offered him that kind of trajectory.