Vladislav Kamenev

July 2024 – Now 27 years old, Kamenev qualifies as an unrestricted free agent after going unsigned by Colorado. His last two KHL campaigns have shown enough production to put the veteran on the fantasy radar if he ever returns to the NHL, but certainly not enough to guarantee or expect a roster spot from a training camp invite. Hayden Soboleski

August 2020 – Kamenev will reportedly be heading to the KHL for the 2020-21 campaign. Blaming a prospect’s development on bad luck is never good critical analysis, but the big forward just couldn’t catch a break health-wise.  When there were lineups spots available for him he kept getting injuries, and as soon as he managed a relatively healthy season, the team was already deep enough to rotate him in and out of the lineup and limit him to under 9 minutes per night. The 24-year-old should be able to provide value in the KHL and hopefully take another crack at a 3rd or 4th-line NHL role in the future. Don’t hold your breath on NHL fantasy value in the near future, but remember the name should he make a comeback tour in a year or two. Hayden Soboleski

February 2020 – Kamenev continues to string together batches of games in the lineup as injuries continue to hit the Avalanche, pushing him up now to 24 games played, a career-high. His aTOI is still too low to project any sort of fantasy value increase, and his current 6 points total and 1 SOG/game probably won’t move the needle in any fantasy formats. It has been reported that he would be open to a trade to a new home with more space for him, however his play is decent when in the lineup so unless he gets swapped for a veteran presence he may be retained to fill in for inevitable injuries during the upcoming playoff run. Hayden Soboleski

November 2019 – The good news – injuries ravaging the Avalanche lineup have led to 14 NHL so far in 2019-20 for Kamenev. He has four points in that span, averaging roughly one SOG per game and far fewer peripherals. The bad news – he is averaging under 9 minutes TOI per game, and those modest four points are less impressive considering his time spent unsuccessfully on the second powerplay unit. Once his teammates get healthy, his spot in the lineup won’t be guaranteed. In the games he does see for the remainder, don’t expect fantasy-relevant production. Hayden Soboleski

June 2019 – This isn’t a fun season wrap-up update for Kamenev. 5 points in 23 NHL games before his injury, and didn’t play again. He should be ready for training camp, and will once again be in contention for bottom-six role with the Avs, but he needs to stay healthy to stay fantasy relevant. He won’t be viewed as a real long-term option by coaches or management if he can’t make it through a season. Currently an RFA, he should receive a new (but short-term) deal soon. Hayden Soboleski

December 2018 – The news is bad for Kamenev and fantasy owners. Shoulder surgery required, out indefinitely. This is the second season in a row that injuries have derailed an important rookie campaign. Fingers crossed for a full recovery. Hayden Soboleski

November 2018 – Kamenev has been a regular with the Avs this season as expected, but its been a rocky start. A leg injury in training camp meant a couple AHL games to get up to speed once healthy, and now after 9 NHL games he’s averaging just 9:00 TOI per game. The vital signs are good though for the prospect – he scored his first NHL goal, he’s taking faceoffs paying C at even strength, and even seeing some PK time. He looks like he’s getting better every game, and should see more usage as the season progresses. Hayden Soboleski

May 2018 – It took until March for Kamenev’s broken arm to heal, and by that point he only had the chance to play 3 AHL games (he tallied 4 assists in that time). All he can do is hope to avoid another freak injury, and do everything he can to grab the roster spot that’s waiting for him next season. He is fully expected to earn himself a full-time position in 2018-19. Hayden Soboleski

November 2017 – Kamenev has suffered a broken arm and is out indefinitely. This is a huge disappointment for the new acquisition who was playing his first game as an Av, and had impressed with four points in four AHL games since the trade. This essentially kills any value he had in fantasy leagues this year, but he remains likely to earn a spot next season. Hayden Soboleski

November 2017 – Kamenev has been traded to the Avalanche as part of the blockbuster Duchene-Turris three-way deal. He had racked up three goals and five assists in nine AHL games with the Admirals – his best pace yet after two AHL campaigns. He was in Milwaukee on loan from Nashville, and was technically recalled before the trade, so its possible that he gets a look in Colorado with Jost and Compher still out with injuries. Don’t expect much fantasy value this season, but it shouldn’t take too long for the scorer to become a big piece of the Avs puzzle. Hayden Soboleski

June 2017 —Regression struck Kamenev’s scoring pace after a great first half. He dropped to 0.65 point per game pace, which is almost the same as he had the previous season. However he did play 13 more games and managed to score six more goals this season. Biggest change in stats is the plus-minus- It jumped from minus-5 to plus-11. Nico Salminen This season Kamenev played in the top-six and in all situations in the AHL. He is a very reliable two-way player and a great penalty killer. The one thing that is still missing is that offensive consistency. He has the tools but at time looks as if he is holding it back and playing it safe. This year’s NHL Playoffs showed that the Predators have room for a skilled, fast two-way center. I think that next season, Kamenev could make his way to the Preds line-up and claim a middle-six center role for himself. Niko Salminen December 2016 —The talented Russian has had a promising start to the season for the Milwaukee Admirals with 15 points in 19 games, 12 penalty minutes and a plus-9 rating. He is currently averaging 0.79 points per game, which is up from the 0.64 he posted in the previous year. Kamenev’s shots on goal have increased immensely without seeing a drop off in his shooting percentage from last season. The dual-eligible forward has a big frame and he knows how to use it along the boards and in the crease. Kamenev is a smooth skater with soft hands and a good shot. He can pass well and dangle a defending player, but usually strides to keep his game straight forward. Kamenev sometimes lets his emotions get the best of him. There was an unfortunate chain of events in the 2016 World Juniors Championship final, which led to him getting ejected from the game and an official receiving a wound on his hand from Kamenev’s stick. Niko Salminen April 2016 – Kamenev had a successful first season in North America putting up 37 points in 57 games for the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL. Kamenev also captained Team Russia to a silver medal in the 2016 World Junior Championship. He led team Russia and finished third in tournament goal scoring with five goals in seven games. Kamenev’s move to North America and subsequent success is a promising sign. The Predators need point producing forwards and Kamenev is one of their most promising offensive talents. Donesh Mazloum July 2014 – Kamenev was selected 2nd overall by the Quebec Remparts in the CHL Import Draft. If he reports it would do a lot to boost his stock in fantasy circles simply by showing that he has a willingness to come over to play in North America. Donesh Mazloum June 2014 – Vladislav Kamenev was selected by the Nashville Predators at 42nd overall in the 2nd round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Kamenev is a Russan forward that has great hands and uses his size to win battles along the boards. He has a good work ethic and doesn’t mind getting in the gritty areas. Projects to be a versatile two-way forward. –Kevin Won May 2014 – Oh oh, a Russian draft prospect competing outside of North America in his draft season. Of course, he must be red flagged. Sure, Vladislav Kamenev carries some risk heading into the draft due to of his passport and ties to Russia but this two-way versatile pivot will draw interest because his style translates well to the North American game. He displays strong defensive awareness and initiates contact but also possesses some good offensive skills including a good cycle game and hard shot. Kamenev’s name carries some risk but he is the type of player who could easily be slotted in a team’s top nine. Brendan Ross