2022 NHL Draft: Russian Prospect Rankings

Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: July 7, 2022.

Danila Yurov, RW, Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL) Projected Round 1st Round

2021 Season Recap The 6-1 172 lb Danila Yurov has more KHL experience than preseason top 10 pick Ivan Miroshnichenko. Yurov also has the versatility to play both left winger and right winger. Yurov had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 21 KHL games in 2020-2021. Yurov didn't have a single point this season in the KHL, but he still had 13 goals, 23 assists, and 36 points in the MHL in 2021-2022.

Danila Yurov SWOT Report

Strengths: Danila Yurov is an elite skater in terms of speed and quickness. He's shifty and creative. He's got the wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy you want from a sniper. Has a good release on his shot. Yurov also has excellent hands. He makes defenders miss when he has the puck whether its by deking or stick handling. He has excellent hands.

Weaknesses: His offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ needs to improve. Want to see him develop more as a passer.

Opportunities: 8. Detroit Red Wings, 11. San Jose Sharks, 13. New York Islanders, 17. Nashville Predators, and 18. Dallas Stars. The highest he could end up being picked is eighth overall. The lowest he could drop is eighteenth overall.

Threats: A lack of production in the KHL may scare some teams. He's talented enough to play in the NHL down the road though.

Potential Grade: 90/99

Before 2021

The 6-1 172 lb Danila Yurov has more KHL experience than preseason top 10 pick Ivan Miroshnichenko. Yurov also has the versatility to play both left winger and right winger. Yurov had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 21 KHL games in 2020-2021.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Fyodor Svechkov, C, Ladya Togliatti (MHL) Projected Round 1st Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-0 179 lb Fydor Svechkov is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing with his versatility. He projects as an NHL center. He had 4 goals, 11 assists, and 15 points in 15 MHL games with Ladya Togliatti.

Fyodor Svechkov SWOT Report

Strengths: Fyodor Svechkov has the stickhandling, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ you want a forward to have.

He excellent hands. A threat with and without the puck.

Weaknesses: Needs to work on his shot. Also needs to be more patient offensively by letting the play develop.

Opportunities: 13. Philadelphia Flyers, 15. New York Rangers, 16. St. Louis Blues, 18. Nashville Predators, and 20. Boston Bruins. Fyodor Svechkov will go somewhere in the first round. The only question at this point is where. He should be a top 20 pick.

Threats: Fydor Svechkov can play on the top line. He's got the floor of a third line center and the ceiling of a first line center. Some scouts believe his ceiling isn't as high as Nikita Chibrikov and I'm one for drafting ceiling over floor. Svechkov should be a second line center in the NHL.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Fyodor Svechkov has played hockey in Russia since 2017-2018. He finally got promoted from the VHL to the MHL this past season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Daniil Chayka, D, CSKA Moscow (KHL) Projected Round 1st Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-3 185 lb Daniil Chayka spent this year on CSKA Moscow in Russia after the OHL shutdown due to Covid-19. Daniil Chayka had 1 goal, 1 assist, and 2 points in 11 KHL games with CSKA Moscow.

Daniil Chayka SWOT Report

Strengths: Danill Chayka is an elite skater. He knows how to stutter step on ice. NHL Scouts are comparing his stride to Zdeno Chara and his studder step to NFL superstars like Tyreek Hill and Alvin Kamara. That surprised me because you usually don't see NHL draft prospects compared to NFL stars.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck.

Weaknesses: He's not a puck moving defenseman. He's a defensive defenseman that could develop into a two-way defenseman if he improves his offense. Needs to be more accurate when passing the puck. Wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy needs work.

Opportunities: 22. Detroit Red Wings, 25. Florida Panthers, 26. Carolina Hurricanes, 27. Colorado Avalanche, and 29. Vegas Golden Knights. Danill Chayka is the final prospect from Russia with a first round grade. He's someone who should get picked in the back half of the first round.

Threats: Danill Chayka struggled at the World Junior Championships. He did well against men in Russia in the KHL this season.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Danill Chayka was drafted seventh overall by the Guelph Storm in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection. He has two years of experience in the OHL. With Covid-19 cancelling this season he may move back to Russia where he was born to play hockey during his draft year.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Alexander Kisakov, LW, UHC Dynamo Moscow (KHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-10 141 lb Alexander Kisakov is versatile enough to play left wing, center, or right wing. He had 36 goals, 37 assists, 73 points, and a +42 +/- ratio in 61 games with Dynamo Moscow Jr. in the MHL. He should be promoted to UHC Dynamo Moscow in the KHL next season.

Alexander Kisakov SWOT Report

Strengths: Alexander Kisakov has the skating, playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ to be successful in the AHL right now. If he continues to score 35 goals and 35 assists in the KHL then this guy could end up being one of the bigger steals of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft in the second round.

Weaknesses: He needs to get bigger and fill out his frame. That's the only weakness in his game on film.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Alexander Kisakov. Alexander Kisakov could be one of the steals of this draft if he continues to develop his game.

Threats: He hasn't been promoted to the KHL yet. That's my only concern at this point. His tape checks out so far.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Alexander Kisakov has been playing hockey in Russia since 2017-2018. He finally got promoted to the MHL last season where he had 2 goals, 16 assists, and 18 points in 34 MHL games with Dynamo Moscow Jr. He's a guy who could surge up boards with a KHL promotion this season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Alexei Kolosov, G, Dinamo Minsk (KHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-1 187 Alexei Kolosov is the top international goalie not named Jesper Wallstedt. Alexei Kolosov posted a 2.69 goals against average, a .911 save percentage, and 1 shutout on Dinamo Minsk in 9 KHL starts.

Alexei Kolosov SWOT Report

Strengths: Alexei Kolosov has the best athleticism of any goalie in this years draft. He's also got an outstanding work ethic for a goalie.

Style, Post Integration, Glove, Blocker Pad, Reading The Puck By Tracking, Rebound Control, Post Save Recovery, Quickness, Footwork, and Puckhandling. Those are ten different categories that NHL Draft Scouts use to evaluate goalies. Alexei Kolosov excels in eight of these ten categories. Alexi Kolosov has the style, post integration, glove, reading the puck by tracking, rebound control, post save recovery, quickness, and footwork that you want a goalie to have.

Weaknesses: Alexei Kolosov needs to use his blocker pad more often. His puckhandling also needs to get better. Once he fixes these two weaknesses in his game he'll be a pretty complete goalie with the upside to start in the NHL down the road.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Alexei Kolosov. The 2022 NHL Entry Draft is very weak at goalie so it wouldn't suprise me if Kolosov got pushed up the boards. I have three goalies in my first round big board with Wallstedt, Cossa, and Gaudreau leading the way. If those three goalies all get picked in the first round, and there's a fourth team in need of a goalie I could see Kolosov getting pushed up simply due to the fact that 2022 is a really weak goalie class.

Threats: A lot of NHL Scouts want to see Alexei Kolosov put on some weight. These scouts are concerned that Alexei Kolosov will not fill out his frame in the NHL.

Potential Grade: 85/99

Before 2020

Alexei Kolosov has played in Belarus since 2017-2018. He will finally get promoted ot the KHL where he will play for Dinamo Minsk next season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Samu Salminen, C, Jokerit (KHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-3 191 lb Samu Salminen was talented enough to play for Jokerit in the KHL. The reason the Finland born native didn't get promoted to the KHL is because he has a hockey scholarship to Denver. Samu Salminen had 10 goals, 16 assists, and 26 points in 17 games.

Samu Salminen SWOT Report

Strengths: Samu Salminen has great skating, playmaking, passing, the best shot in terms of wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy of any Russian skater in this draft. He's one of the best at winning faceoffs. He can fool defenders with a bag of tricks on offense. Good passer.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck. He can be a second line center on the power play or penalty killing unit.

Weaknesses: His offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and hockey IQ needs to improve. Once Salminen improves his decision making on a more consistent basis he's got a chance to be a really special player for the team that drafts him down the road.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Samu Salminen. He should be a second round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

Threats: Samu Salminen is one of the safer prospects in this draft. Good floor, but a low ceiling player.

Potential Grade: 84/99

Before 2020

Samu Salminen had 7 goals, 13 assists, and 20 points in his first season on the Jokerit Junior Team in Finland. He has a hockey scholarship to Denver so it will be interesting if he stays on the Junior Team in Finland or makes Jokerit's main roster in the KHL.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Prokhor Poltapov, RW, CSKA Moscow (KHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 5-11 174 lb Prokhor Poltapov had 25 goals, 27 assists, and 52 points in 61 MHL games. He still hasn't gotten promoted to CSKA Moscow in the KHL.

Prokhor Poltapov SWOT Report

Strengths: Prokhor Poltapov has playmaking, passing, stickhandling, and the defensive awareness you want to see from a forward. He's got a good grasp of defensive zone responsibility and he's not afraid of physical contact.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve as a skater. He does not have great speed. Needs to improve his shot in terms of wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Prokhor Poltapov. He's a second round prospect.

Threats: Prokhor Poltapov has the floor of a line 2 AHL right winger and the ceiling of a line 2 NHL right winger. You could argue that makes him a fourth line NHL right winger. Teams want a second or third line right winger at the NHL level which is why Prokhor Poltapov feels like a boom or bust pick.

Potential Grade: 80/99

Before 2020

Prokhor Polatpov got promoted to the MHL last season. He had 8 goals, 4 assists, and 12 points in 23 MHL games in his first MHL season.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Artyom Grushnikov, D, CSKA Moscow (KHL) Projected Round 2nd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-2 174 lb Artyom Grushnikov got selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the 2020 CHL Import Draft. Unfortunately he never got to play with the Hamilton Bulldogs this season due to Covid-19. He enters his draft year without a full season of play.

Artyom Grushnikov SWOT Report

Strengths: Artyom Grushnikov is a defensive defenseman. His best traits on offense are his playmaking and his passing. He can be a quarterback on the power play, but passing is the only strong trait to his offensive game.

Weaknesses: Needs to improve as a skater. He does not have great speed. Needs to improve his shot in terms of wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Artyom Grushnikov. He should be a second round pick, but there is a chance he falls to the third round.

Threats: Artyom Gurhsnikov is raw offensively and is a defensive defender. He hasn't played hockey since 2019-2020.

Potential Grade: 80/99

Before 2020

Artyom Grushnikov played in the MHL. He got drafted by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the first round of the 2020 CHL Import Draft so its uncertain if he stays in Russia or plays in the OHL due to Covid-19.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Kirill Kisanov, D, SKA Saint Petersburg (KHL) Projected Round 3rd Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-1 198 lb Kirill Kisanov had 4 assists in the MHL and 3 assists in the KHL. He could not score a goal in his limited action in the MHL or the majority of his games in the KHL as he played 29 KHL games compared to his 8 MHL games.

Kirill Kisanov SWOT Report

Strengths: Has elite speed and skating. He relies on his speed to make things happen. He knows how to move the puck. Playmaker who can pass effectively. Will contribute on special teams as a power play quarterback or as a defender who can do well on the penalty killing unit. His defensive awareness, quickness, and strength compliments his speed, passing, and special teams play.

Weaknesses: Stickwork is the biggest issue with Kirill Kisanov. He also needs to develop his shot in terms of both shooting power and shooting accuracy. Kirill Kisanov's wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, and slap shot accuracy are all a work in progress.

Opportunities: I have a third round grade on Kirill Kisanov. He should be selected in the third round.

Threats: The fact that he had 0 goals in both the MHL and KHL this season does concern me. He's gonna have to fix that over his next two years in Russia. Right now, I'd say he's got the floor of a first line AHL defender and the ceiling of a second line NHL defender. He should be a nice third line defenseman in the NHL if you can develop his game in Russia before bringing him to the AHL and eventually the NHL.

Potential Grade: 77/99

Before 2020

Kirill Kisanov has played hockey in Russia dating back to 2016-2017. He was a reserve his first year before getting more minutes in 2017-2018. He dominated the MHL in 2019-2020 with 4 goals, 9 assists, 13 points, and a +26 +/- ratio in 40 MHL games. A promotion to the KHL could be coming.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects
Matvei Petrov, RW, MHK Krylia Sovetov (MHL) Projected Round 4th Round

2020 Season Recap The 6-2 181 lb Matvei Petrov was drafted first overall by the North Bay Batallion in the 2020 CHL Import Draft. With Covid-19 cancelling the OHL, Petrov headed back to Russia to play for MHK Krylia Sovetov in the MHL. Matvei Petrov is versatile enough to play both right wing and left wing. Matvei Petrov had 22 goals, 20 assists, 42 points, and a +9 +/- ratio in 52 MHL games.

Matvei Petrov SWOT Report

Strengths: He has the playmaking, passing, wrist shot power, wrist shot accuracy, slap shot power, slap shot accuracy, offensive awareness, defensive awareness, vision, hockey IQ, confidence, and creativity that you want a player to have. Matvei Petrov is also a two-way forward with the versatility to play both center and left wing.

He displays good hands. A threat with and without the puck.

Weaknesses: Matvei Petrov needs to improve as a skater. This is the only knock in his game.

Opportunities: I have a second round grade on Matvei Petrov. He should be selected in the second round.

Threats: There aren't any threats with Matvei Petrov. High floor low ceiling player.

Potential Grade: 71/99

Before 2020

Matvei Petrov has played hockey in Russia dating back to 2017-2018. He was drafted first overall by the North Bay Batallion in the 2020 CHL Import Draft.

Career Statistics Presented By Elite Hockey Prospects