Although the MHL is going through a challenging time in terms of competition, there are several players who deserve to be under the spotlight for the 2024 NHL Draft thanks to their great talent.
The talent drain of the last year in the KHL and the lack of international competition for young Russians is starting to show in their development leagues.
2024 NHL Draft talent distribution in Russia
At the moment there are two very marked categories in Russian hockey, where we can divide the most important names that will be available in the NHL Draft 2024.
On one hand we have the top players from Russia who are mostly established in the KHL. Within this group we can find Anton Silayev (D), Nikita Artamonov (RW) and Matvei Shuravin (D). With some exceptions like Igor Chernyshov (LW) and Yegor Surin (C/RW) who are in the MHL and Ivan Demidov (F) who is a top 3 projected player but is currently injured.
On the other hand we can locate a large number of players playing in the MHL. Although these players are doing well and have great talent, their projection in the Draft is uncertain. They could be selected in any round of the 2024 NHL Draft or even not be selected at all.
There are players with great talent and top skills but lacking in fundamental boxes of the game that are important if you want to project these players to play in the NHL. Lack of intensity, danger creation, high speed hockey sense and engagement to defense, transition and offense during the whole shift are some of the common flaws that some players in the MHL are showing.
While these shortcomings should turn on the red lights in Russian development systems, the truth is that these players still have room for improvement and have a whole season ahead of them to catch the attention of the NHL scouts.
Many of these players are going under most radars as the biggest spotlights are being taken by players who are already in the KHL or had extraordinary 2022/23 seasons that have served to keep the spotlight on them as is the case with Ivan Demidov (F), Igor Chernyshov (LW) and Yegor Surin (C/RW).
Notable Under the radar MHL talent:
Yegor Graf (LW/C)
Jun 26, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
Although he is originally from Siberia, this attacker has been one of the most promising 2006-born players in the SKA development system for a long time. After a very good rookie season in 2022-23 he started the season struggling to find a spot on the team’s top lines but in recent games has solidified himself as a top line center. He is a great shooter and if he continues to enjoy power play minutes his personal records are going to improve quite a bit.
Timur Kol (D)*
Aug 23, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
A nearly 200 lbs and 6’3″ defenseman with good skating and hockey sense always catches the eye of scouts. Kol despite being one of the youngest players available for the 2024 NHL Draft, has managed to make his pro debut in the VHL and leave very good impressions. This defenseman plays RD and LD with no problem, showing a highly talented defensive profile but without leaving aside the creation of effective danger when he has the opportunity. His name could gain traction in the coming weeks.
*He is currently playing in the VHL but started the season in MHL where he played 8 games
Andrei Krutov (LW/RW)
Apr 25, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
Nikita Artamonov, Anton Silayev and Andrei Krutov are the big names in Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod‘s developmental system. Although Andrei Krutov has not had the opportunity to make his KHL debut yet, the chance of that happening during this season is high. This 5’11” attacker has always excelled in Russian junior national tournaments and his progress in the current season is very good. He is a key player in powerplay and penalty kill for Chaika Nizhny Novgorod.
Arsen Taimazov (RD)
Jan 08, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
Taimazov is playing his second season in the MHL and has considerably improved his contribution to MHK Dynamo Moskva. His role in the team has also improved, playing a lot of penalty kill minutes and being a key player in the team. His profile is purely defensive but he has the qualities to improve his attack and become an important defender.
Alexei Dontsov (C)
Mar 26, 2006 (2024 NHL Draft Eligible)
Dontsov is an attacker with top skills and incredible speed. Despite being 5’8″ his good skating and shooting have made the task of earning a spot on Krasnaya Armiya Moskva‘s top lines an easy mission in his second season in the MHL. This attacker must manage to achieve consistency in his performance and improve his game without the puck.
HM: Matvei Korotky (C), Ilya Pautov (RW), Roman Shokhrin (D), Matvei Babenko (RW), Ivan Okunev (RW), Oleg Maistrenko (LW) +1.