Confirmed with Link: Canucks Sign Kirill Kudryavtsev to ELC

[VanJack]

What impressed me about Kudryavtsev tonight is how effective he was along the wall. The Oilers play a hard forechecking style, focused on punishing d-men in the offensive zone and reclaiming the puck.

But Kiril was able to absorb a lot of those hits and make a safe, effective pass out of his own zone. Went back and checked his Hockey DB profile.

He's listed at only 6', but 202. He's built like a fire-hydrant. Thanks to his strong pre-season, he's a lock for Abbotsford......and could even get some NHL callups if he keeps progressing. Almost unheard of for a 7th round draft pick who could still play junior hockey this season.

 

[logan5]

A Russian defenseman, playing junior during the Covid years? Maybe we got lucky and drafted a top 4 d man that was lost in the Covid shuffle.

Looks like he's our #2 d prospect now, ahead of Pettersson.

 

[LordBacon]

Bros last name looks like my cat walked over my keyboard.

 

[credulous]

i knew my investment in learning to spell his name would pay off

my hot take is he'll be regarded as vancouver's best prospect by midseason

 

[IComeInPeace]

“Kirill, he can break the puck out under heat, that kid,” said Tocchet. “I can’t pronounce his last name — you’ve gotta help me out — but I’m really impressed with him.”

 

[VanJack]

Kudryavtsev will be an interesting guy to to follow in Abbotsford in the early going. Tocchet doesn't very often hand out glowing praise to young d-men. But this 20-year old kid has earned the accolades,

If he continues to process the game at a high rate and deliver some of those nifty head-man passes, I could actually see him getting into some NHL games this year. He brings to the table something the Canucks sorely lack, lower down on their blueline--a fairly skilled, puck-moving d-man.

Of course I seem recall that last year Cole McWard got an extended look in training camp and was actually kept around and played one regular season game. But landed back in Abbotsford, where his season was pretty 'average'. So you really never know until they drop the puck.