LD Semyon Chistyakov - Avangard Omsk, KHL (2019, 117th, NSH)

[Caser]

 

[herzausstein]

Hilariously, the Preds have only 1 guy left from that list and the slate would be wide open for Chistyakov to play for the team right now. But IIRC he still has another year left on his deal in the KHL. Too bad.

Yep has atleast 1 more KHL season. Hopefully, he will jump over after. Will have plenty of room for him especially if Josi is playing on the right side still.

 

[BKarchitect]

Feels like this guy is underrated. Same age as Nikishin and pretty similar stats. Just lacks the huge frame - which is a big deal in terms of NHL upside. Still...has to be one of the more impressive U25 defenseman season in recent KHL history, outside of every year of Nikishin.

 

[Captain Clutch]

As others have mentioned, Chistyakov has excellent hockey sense and sure seems as though he could be an impactful offensive player at the NHL level, what we can't know until he finally arrives is whether he can defend in the NHL. I suspect he'll be fine but he's going to have to earn the trust of whoever is coaching in Nashville if he ever comes over.

 

[Porter Stoutheart]

As others have mentioned, Chistyakov has excellent hockey sense and sure seems as though he could be an impactful offensive player at the NHL level, what we can't know until he finally arrives is whether he can defend in the NHL. I suspect he'll be fine but he's going to have to earn the trust of whoever is coaching in Nashville if he ever comes over.

He'll probably have some trouble with Barry Trotz even before the coach... given Trotz will probably want him to start in Milwaukee. I sure hope saner heads prevail and the Preds don't miss their chance here. Or at the very least if they are going to be stubborn about it, that other teams come knocking on their door and the Preds can at least trade his rights for something rather than just ignoring him. Chistyakov should obviously at least be getting a look for the NHL... somewhere... once his KHL deal is up.

 

[Captain Clutch]

He'll probably have some trouble with Barry Trotz even before the coach... given Trotz will probably want him to start in Milwaukee. I sure hope saner heads prevail and the Preds don't miss their chance here. Or at the very least if they are going to be stubborn about it, that other teams come knocking on their door and the Preds can at least trade his rights for something rather than just ignoring him. Chistyakov should obviously at least be getting a look for the NHL... somewhere... once his KHL deal is up.

This is an excellent point. Hopefully Trotz doesn't try to be stubborn about the fact that Chistyakov has significant leverage in a situation where he comes over at age 24.