G Ilya Nabokov - Metallurg Magnitogorsk, KHL (2024, 38th, COL)

[TLEH]

He will get drafted this time around.

 

[McMozesmadness]

I don’t think anyone reaches on him in the 1st, but he’s making a case to be an early 2nd

 

[Caser]

 

[cheesymc]

What's his KHL contract status look like?

Anyone know if he is able to come over next season, or how long is he locked up with KHL?

 

[neelynugs]

Anyone know if he is able to come over next season, or how long is he locked up with KHL?

through 2024-25

https://en.khl.ru/clubs/metallurg_mg/team/

 

[WarriorofTime]

There has to be someone kicking themselves for not throwing a 6th or 7th rounder on him last year. Being older should not be too much of a detriment as a goaltender. Playoff MVP as a KHL Rookie, that's the kind of big game performer that someone has to take pretty high, size or not.

 

[miscs75]

Lou should take a chance with him based on his name being a combination of Ilya Sorokin and Evgeni Nabokov.

 

[Chainshot]

I don’t think anyone reaches on him in the 1st, but he’s making a case to be an early 2nd

Looking at the dearth of good goaltending out there, I could see someone in the later 20's taking a shot here.

 

[Castle8130]

If your in the 20’s and you need a goalie, I don’t see why you wouldn’t draft him. He is the best goalie outside the NHL. You instantly gain a starter. So many busts in the late 1st anyway

 

[LeProspector]

Too small.

 

[Chainshot]

Too small.

Bigger than Saros. *shrug*

 

[LeProspector]

Bigger than Saros. *shrug*

Saros is an exception, not an example.

He went as high as he did in his draft year, as a first time eligible despite his size. If his height started with a 6 at the time, he would be have been undoubtedly a first round pick.

There’s a reason Nabokov went undrafted 3x over. He’ll get drafted, absolutely and he is by far the closest goalie in the draft from the NHL, but anyone throwing out comparisons like Evgenii Nabokov and Sheshterkin are out of their minds. He plays behind a fantastic system in the KHL, and won’t get that treatment in the NHL.

Bigger than Saros. *shrug*

Saros is an exception, not an example.

He went as high as he did in his draft year, as a first time eligible despite his size. If his height started with a 6 at the time, he would be have been undoubtedly a first round pick.

There’s a reason Nabokov went undrafted 3x over. He’ll get drafted, absolutely and he is by far the closest goalie in the draft from the NHL, but anyone throwing out comparisons like Evgenii Nabokov and Sheshterkin are out of their minds. He plays behind a fantastic system in the KHL, and won’t get that treatment in the NHL.

 

[McMozesmadness]

Looking at the dearth of good goaltending out there, I could see someone in the later 20's taking a shot here.

I personally agree with you. I will have him ranked 25-35 range. Will the teams agree? We’ll see…

He’s one of the more interesting case studies in the draft. The numbers are truly nutty, but GMs are size whores

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think there's some middle ground with him.

Hes not as good as taking him in the first round that some people suggest. He wasn't the best goalie in the KHL this year. He was a good KHL goalie. He had a great playoffs. Vitaliy Kravtsov also had a great playoffs his draft year. If you judge too much on the playoffs, you can make mistakes.

But he's also a successful KHL goalie that elevated himself at the most important time of the year. His size is a relevant factor, but there are small goalies in the NHL. He's absolutely worth a flier and you'll know sooner than most if he'll reach the NHL. With this being a weak goalie draft, he could compete for first goalie off the board (similar to how Gajan did as an overager last year, although that was a better goalie draft and Gajan would be the consensus first goalie this year).

 

[Guadana]

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

If he’s still available in the 4th round, I think it’s a no brainer

 

[dreadpirateroberts]

 

[Caser]

 

[jackp0t]

There's added value for drafting a guy that will be in the line up in 1 year (after his contract expire). I think he gets pick in the 33-40 range. Any rebuilding team with a 2nd rounder should be interested in this guy.

I understand the Saros comparaison, but as a 2nd rounder you dont need to be a top 10 goalie to be a successful pick. If he gets 905% and play 30-35 games a year as a premium back-up, still worth it.

Jake Allen was worth a 3rd rounder and he has a higher cap hit, for being a 1D / 2A type of goalie (barely).

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

Just noticed that an interview came out where he tells that his height is 185cm (6'1"). Might sound not like a big deal, but for an undersized goalie every cm counts.

 

[JKG33]

If I'm a team like Ottawa, San Jose, Chicago, etc. with a bunch of picks in the late 1st and early 2nd I'd probably look at taking him. Especially since those teams don't have much goaltending depth

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Colorado

 

[Shane Diesel]

 

[JoeSakic13]

This pick is the only one I’m even marginally excited about from Colorado this year.

Could be an absolutely genius move by the Avs trading down and taking him. However could just as easily be a swing and a miss on an overager.