The NHL will open the 2024-25 season on Oct. 8, however the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) has lower than three weeks earlier than the puck drops for the Opening Cup match between final 12 months’s finalists, Metallurg and Lokomotiv —two groups with out Hurricanes prospects of their roster (aside from d-man Alexander Siryatsky, who’s unlikely to make Magnitka’s foremost lineup).
This KHL season might be notably intriguing for the Hurricanes followers, as a number of high-end up-and-comers will spend the season there persevering with their improvement. Listed below are 5 gamers who might be particularly attention-grabbing to observe this season.
Alexander Nikishin
2023-2024 stats: 57 (28+39) factors in 72 video games, plus-35
Among the best gamers outdoors the NHL, Nikishin had one other super season with SKA, one of many KHL’s powerhouses, the place he captained and led the staff in scoring as a blueliner. Nevertheless, his season was reduce brief as a consequence of an harm that sidelined him on the most crucial time—the elimination stage—the place SKA suffered a defeat within the second spherical. In 2024-2025, the St. Petersburg franchise made vital acquisitions within the free agent market, together with Evgeny Kuznetsov.
Regardless of these additions, Nikishin’s function will not be anticipated to decrease. The massive-bodied defenseman (6-foot-4, 216 kilos) is poised to play 20 minutes an evening on one of many high KHL groups. His contract with SKA will finish this season, and Nikishin has already declared that he’ll be a part of the ‘Canes as quickly as doable, which was confirmed by Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky. This could possibly be a serious coup for Carolina, who would achieve a top-four defenseman instantly.
The one draw back is that SKA is a contender, and the league just lately determined to increase their season till Might 31, so it’s unsure whether or not Nikishin can help the Hurricanes this season and, if that’s the case, how drained he could be after one other exhausting marketing campaign within the geographically expansive high Russian league.
Nikita Artamonov
2023-2024 stats: 23 (7+16) factors in 59 video games, minus-8
It’s uncommon for a staff to get the chance to snag such a expertise within the second spherical, so it’s comprehensible that the Hurricanes jumped on the probability to choose Nikita Artamonov with the 50th general decide on the 2024 NHL Draft. Artamonov made vital progress final season, enjoying underneath Igor Larionov at Torpedo and incomes a Rookie of the Yr nomination after successful the Russian Junior League title in 2023.
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Artamonov spent many of the season on Torpedo’s high line – a exceptional achievement for a 19-year-old – and displayed flashes of brilliance regardless of some inconsistency, which is regular for a participant his age enjoying in a senior league. Artamonov has an arsenal of strikes within the offensive zone, and if he continues to develop his abilities and develop into extra constant, the Hurricanes might have an entire, high-motor offensive participant on their arms by the point his contract expires in 2026.
Alexander Rykov
2023-2024 stats: 8 (6+2) factors in 31 video games
The 2024-2025 season might be essential for the 2023 fourth-round choice. As soon as once more, Rykov posted good numbers within the VHL, the Russian second-tier league, however didn’t make an influence on the KHL degree regardless of bettering his manufacturing with six objectives and two assists in 31 video games with Traktor.
At 19, Rykov continues to be younger, however at this level, particularly contemplating his robust displaying within the VHL final 12 months, it’s time for him to begin producing persistently and earn a much bigger function within the Traktor lineup—he solely skated in two playoff video games final season. Nevertheless, this gained’t be straightforward because the Chelyabinsk franchise, which had a robust playoff run final season, has employed Benoit Groulx as head coach. The message is evident: the staff should win video games, which possible means a much bigger function for veterans fairly than a deal with creating prospects.
Which means that Rykov wants to begin showcasing his finest hockey straight away, or he dangers losing a 12 months of improvement at a essential age. A mortgage to a lower-level KHL staff might need been useful for Rykov, who demonstrated his potential with six objectives final season, displaying that he can compete at this degree however wants extra enjoying time to proceed his development.
Vladimir Grudinin
2023-2024 stats: 11 (2+9) factors in 58 video games
A 2022 Draft decide, Grudinin is a clean skater with good puck abilities, although his foremost draw back is his measurement. At 5-foot-10, 157 kilos, he has developed glorious skating talents to compensate for his lack of bodily play and attain. He additionally improved his defensive efficiency final season and moved from CSKA to Severstal, lastly securing a full-time spot on the KHL degree.
Whereas his manufacturing wasn’t stellar, he did show good passing abilities and a well-developed hockey IQ that can serve him nicely at any degree. At this level, he’s an extended shot to make the NHL, primarily as a consequence of his measurement, however he has the potential to develop into a third-pairing blueliner on the ‘Canes. He’s underneath contract within the KHL for one more season, and will probably be attention-grabbing to see whether or not Severstal offers him a extra offensive function—he actually has the abilities to be a reliable defenseman within the offensive zone.
Timur Kol
2023-2024 season stats: 8 (5+3) factors in 23 video games within the VHL
Timur Kol was a sixth-round decide—he might have gone earlier—as his measurement and mobility caught the eye of the Hurricanes scouts after a robust 2023-2024 marketing campaign within the VHL. Kol additionally made his KHL debut, skating in two video games for Avangard Omsk. Nevertheless, this summer time introduced a change of surroundings for the younger defenseman, who was transferred from Avangard to SKA. Within the junior leagues, Kol had extra alternatives to make use of his robust shot from the purpose, however with the seniors, he was requested to maintain issues easier regardless of having a sure diploma of freedom within the VHL.
“Within the VHL, I used to be allowed quite a bit. I performed on the ability play and was trusted on the ice,” Kol advised KHL.ru. “With Avangard, the coaches advised me to maintain it easy, however I additionally understood that the staff already had gamers who might execute performs at the next degree. My job was simply to take the puck and move it ahead with out overcomplicating issues.” At this level, it’s exhausting to gauge what sort of influence his transfer to SKA can have on his improvement.
Naturally, he might have fewer possibilities to skate within the KHL because the St. Petersburg franchise has a stacked roster and better ambitions, however he may also have an opportunity to observe with higher gamers, compete on the VHL degree, and develop in good situations. He’s underneath contract within the KHL till 2026, and contemplating his measurement (6-foot-4, 205 kilos), his adaptation needs to be smoother than that of the typical Russian participant.
KHL Season Forward
The KHL season begins on Sept. 3, and the final doable sport might be held on Might 31, 2025. The Hurricanes drafted 15 gamers within the final three drafts, with notable names to regulate like Torpedo’s Andrei Krutov, Avangard’s Alexander Perevalov, and Vityaz’s Stanislav Yarovoi.
