LD Artemi Knyazev - Ak Bars Kazan, KHL (2019, 48th, SJS; traded to WPG released)

[Cardiac Jerks]

As much as I know - no. Artemiy is Kazan born and raised. Also the last name is not that uncommon in Russia.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Atas2000]

Seems like a lot of the best russian talents are coming through AK Bars Kazan lately. Svechnikov, Khovanov and Knyazev.

The school was built from a scratch unlike other renowned hockey schools. It took time until it started producing.

 

[Mvprice]

What makes him so good? I know nothing about him but hear he's a good offensive defensemen.

 

[Caser]

 

[wings5]

Great defence by Moscow on that play.

 

[Atas2000]

Great defence by Moscow on that play.

You expect great defence from U17 players?

 

[wings5]

You expect great defence from U17 players?

It doesn't take great defensive awareness to put a little bit of effort. The defence were lacking but even more so was the effort level of the forward Knyazev easily evaded in the neutral zone, it was non existent there.

 

[Atas2000]

It doesn't take great defensive awareness to put a little bit of effort. The defence were lacking but even more so was the effort level of the forward Knyazev easily evaded in the neutral zone, it was non existent there.

That's what u17 hockey looks like.

 

[wings5]

That's what u17 hockey looks like.

Well then I guess just like Midget AAA hockey here in NA it is pretty clear who will move on to major junior, in Russia's case MHL. Knyazev is clearly above his competition, I imagine if possible he plays in some MHL games this year and very likely goes high in the CHL import draft next year. Btw why are they playing serious hockey in the summer? Shouldn't they still be in the offseason?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Can we get an actual update on Knyazev? Anyone know anything?

 

[LeafChief]

Come to Canada big boy.

 

[Atas2000]

Well then I guess just like Midget AAA hockey here in NA it is pretty clear who will move on to major junior, in Russia's case MHL. Knyazev is clearly above his competition, I imagine if possible he plays in some MHL games this year and very likely goes high in the CHL import draft next year. Btw why are they playing serious hockey in the summer? Shouldn't they still be in the offseason?

The offseason is long over in Russia. I.e. for the players. Training camps are well under way as the regular season will start in a month.

The difference at a younger age is clearly much more recognizable. A guy like Kuznetsov was scoring 3 goals game in his early teens.

Knyazev has decent size for a d-man. Probably will be 6 feet at draft day with some decent weight too. His offensive skills are obvious. Whether he also becomes good at defending is the question.

Knyazev already often plays with the 2000 team, a year above his age. This trend will continue.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Knyazev has decent size for a d-man. Probably will be 6 feet at draft day with some decent weight too. His offensive skills are obvious. Whether he also becomes good at defending is the question.

Knyazev already often plays with the 2000 team, a year above his age. This trend will continue.

How does he defend for a player his age? Is he a regular penalty killer, first player out for the tough defensive shifts? Or is he another PP specialist?

 

[Caser]

Heard some are already naming him the "next Fetisov"... hard to tell now, but we can hope, right?

 

[Fantomas]

Heard some are already naming him the "next Fetisov"... hard to tell now, but we can hope, right?

Anything more specific on this? Journos, scouts?

Can't wait to see him in some tournaments. The U17s will be a real showcase for him.

 

[Caser]

Anything more specific on this? Journos, scouts?

Can't wait to see him in some tournaments. The U17s will be a real showcase for him.

More like fans... yeah, the same fans that have been comparing Sokolov to Ovechkin some time ago. But to be fair, I understand the Fetisov comparison - I haven't seen that kind of, let's say, confident smoothness among Russian defensmen in quite a while.

 

[Fantomas]

Yeah, most of these 15/16 year olds just don't pan out. At least Sokolov is halfway decent still. Do you remember Dikushin? Yeesh.

 

[Caser]

Yeah, most of these 15/16 year olds just don't pan out. At least Sokolov is halfway decent still. Do you remember Dikushin? Yeesh.

I think Andrei Kuchin is even better as the example.

But back to Knyazev and the Fetisov comparison, I think it is already great that we can even allow ourself to think of this kind of comparison, because we didn't have this kind of luxury for quite some time due to a bit of an underpar Russian defensive propect pool. So that fact alone already makes Knyazev an exciting prospect.

 

[cgf]

Provorov, Sergachev and Zadorov, isn't exactly a terrible place to start. Hopefully this kid becomes even better, but I'm a big fan of all 3 of those as high end NHLers.

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Fantomas]

This aside, not a particularly sterling start to the season for him so far, eh? Are they not letting him distribute the puck or what?

 

[Atas2000]

This aside, not a particularly sterling start to the season for him so far, eh? Are they not letting him distribute the puck or what?

He is struggling mightily with the jump to the MHL. First time he plays not against guys a year older but against up to 21y.o. as a 16y.o.. So it was expected unless he is the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ.

He is getting sheltered minutes, but way more than other D-men close in age(average TOI and games). That also impacts his stats in a negative way so far. They all struggle. The age difference and the jump in level of play is the first real challenge for them here. They are basically facing a U20 level.

To put it into perspective he faces guys who will be at the WJC this year and has yet to play a meaningful U17 tournament.

Irbis is a .500 team with a negative goal differential(while having great goaltenders). The team's top scoring D-man has 5 pts, 10 fewer than the league leader.

No reason to read too much into his numbers so far. This season is for facing the big boys for the first time and surviving while gathering experience and maturing.

 

[Fantomas]

I say that because I have seen him projected as a top-5 pick, which it seems he is not.

 

[Atas2000]

I say that because I have seen him projected as a top-5 pick, which it seems he is not.

why? because he is not ripping up the 20y.olds? if that would happen he would be a projected unanimous 1OA.