Welcome back to my top ten rankings of prospects in each country. We've already taken a look at Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland, so now we're going to take a look at the Raging Russians. Russia got silver after losing to Finland in the gold medal game in the 2016 World Juniors, and lots of prospects got to showcase their talent. Anyways, let's dive right in.
10. Nikolay Goldobin, RW, San Jose Barracuda, AHL (1st round, 27th overall in 2014 to the San Jose Sharks)
Goldobin has had a consistent game since being drafted in 2014. In his draft year he put up a solid total of 94 points in 67 games with the Sarnia Sting, good enough to be deemed first round pick worthy, and then the following year he spent time playing in the SM-Liiga on loan with HIFK, where he produced 21 points in 38 games. In his first pro North American season, he's put up 24 points in 38 games for the Barracuda and looks like he could turn into a solid goal scorer for the Sharks in the future.
9. Denis Guryanov, LW, Lada Togliatti, KHL (1st round, 12th overall in 2015 to the Dallas Stars)
Guryanov had a great season for Ladia Togliatti of the MHL, the KHL's Junior League, putting up 25 points in 23 games. When the Stars selected him at 12th overall, many people deemed this to be an off the board pick with the likes of Kyle Connor, Mathew Barzal, and Jakub Zboril availible, but he was still a solid pickup. He's experiencing some growing pains with the KHL club full time this season, as he only has 5 points in 47 games for them, but struggles are expected during your first pro season in a league like the KHL. Expect him to eventually make the jump to the AHL at some point during his contract.
8. Ivan Barbashev, C, Chicago Wolves, AHL (2nd round, 33rd overall in 2014 to the ST. Louis Blues)
Barbashev was projected to be a first round pick in 2014 by many scouts and experts, but when he slipped to the second round, the Blues were more than happy to pick him up at 33rd overall. In his draft year, the Moskva native put up 68 points in 48 games for the Moncton Wildcats, and the following year registered 95 points in 57 games. He's having a solid first campaign in the AHL with the Chicago Wolves with 22 points in 43 games, and he could definitely look to be a solid top six forward with the Blues if groomed properly.
7. Ilya Samsonov, G, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, KHL (1st round, 22nd overall in 2015 to the Washington Capitals)
Many Capitals fans and hockey fans who follow the draft in general were confused when the Capitals took Samsonov with their first round pick, given that they already had a young star goalie in Braden Holtby. That being said, he's not been a disappointment for the Caps. In his first full pro KHL season with Metallurg, he currently has a 6-4-3 record with a 2.04 GAA and a .925 save percentage, good numbers for a rookie in the KHL. It's questionable how the Caps will handle the situation once Samsonov is NHL ready, but they'll find a way to make it work.
6. Mikhail Sergachev, D, Windsor Spitfires, OHL (Top 2016 NHL Draft Prospect)
When the Windsor Spitfires selected Sergachyov with the 6th overall pick in the CHL Import Draft, they knew they were getting a solid defenseman, and Sergachyov is having a very good season for the Spits. He currently has a total of 43 points in 54 games for them this season and is one of their most reliable defensemen. If all goes according to plan, Sergachyov could find himself being taken in the top ten of the upcoming 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
5. Vladislav Kamenev, C, Milwaukee Admirals, AHL (2nd round, 42nd overall in 2014 to the Nashville Predators)
Kamenev really made a name for himself in the 2016 World Juniors, playing as team captain for Team Russia and recording 6 points in 7 games for the silver-winning Russians. His first AHL season is progressing smoothly, as he currently has 21 points in 30 games for them. He could make a strong case for himself to make the Predators full time next season.
4. Nikita Zaitsev, D, CSKA Moskva, KHL (Undrafted Free Agent)
Zaitsev is by far the most interesting case out of all the lists i've done so far. He is the first prospect I've covered that has gone undrafted in his three years of eligibility. Usually after players go undrafted, their careers in hockey don't really go anywhere. However, the Moskva native has garnered tons of interest around the NHL because of the stellar seasons he's had since going undrafted. This season he has 26 points in 46 games, and after talking to some NHL teams he's expected to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the offseason. If this is the case, then the Leafs are getting themselves a steal.
3. Pavel Buchnevich, LW, SKA St. Petersburg, KHL (3rd round, 75th overall in 2013 to the New York Rangers)
When you think of the New York Rangers, prospects aren't usually the first thing to come to mind. They generally trade their prospects and draft picks in exchange for stars to help them for their playoff runs, but they might have found themselves a gem in Buchnevich. The Cherepovets native split time in the KHL this season between St. Petersburg and Severstal Cherepovits, and currently has a grand total of 37 points in 58 games in the KHL, which are very good numbers for somebody his age in Russia's pro league. If his production keeps up then he could seriously compete for a spot on the Rangers full time.
2. Evgeni Svechnikov, RW, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, QMJHL (1st round, 19th overall in 2015 to the Detroit Red Wings)
The Red Wings drafted this kid, so you know he's gonna turn out to be a star. In all seriousness however, he's having a very solid season with Cape Breton, having posted 64 points in 41 games for the Eagles. The Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk native has a knack for goal scoring and given that this is his last year of junior eligibility, the Wings could look to bring him into the AHL for a few seasons before promoting him to the main squad.
1. Ivan Provorov, D, Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL (1st round, 7th overall in 2015 to the Philadelphia Flyers)
Provorov has been over a point per game player for the majority of his career, and he's a defenseman. He tallied up 61 points in 60 games for the Wheat Kings in his draft year, and this season he has 54 points in 48 games. He represented Russia at the World Juniors and recorded 8 points in 7 games. The Yaroslavl native is a key part of an unfairly talented Flyers defensive pool consisting of Samuel Morin, Travis Sanheim, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Provorov. He will be a quality NHL defenseman for years to come.
Thanks for reading, everyone.
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