KHL: Four 2025 Draft-Eligible Russian Prospects You Need to Know

With the top of the 2025 NHL draft likely being dominated by Canadian prospects, this year’s Russian class has flown under the radar. Russia boasts several prospects that will please whichever NHL team drafts them.

Ivan Ryabkin, F

This season has been chaotic for Ryabkin, as he has spent time in four leagues. He spent most of his time in the MHL before coming to the USHL. In 15 MHL games with MHK Dynamo Moskva, Ryabkin registered 12 points, but just one finding the back
of the net. After coming to the Muskegon Lumberjacks, he has seen action in 12 games and has found his goal-scoring touch. He has eight goals and 15 points so far and has points in six of his last seven games.

Simply put, Ryabkin is one of the most polarizing prospects in this class. He has the skill and creativity to justify a high pick, but some flaws may cause Ryabkin to slip into the draft’s second day. He is one of the most effective players in this class, with the puck on his stick. He has magic hands and can make a play out of almost any situation. This allows him to be a threat at any spot in the offensive zone, especially when paired with his physical stature and willingness to play in the dirty areas. However, Ryabkin struggles to make plays at a high speed and often does not play with pace. This leads to gaps in his transition defense that could lead to a one-dimensional game at higher levels. Wherever Ryabkin gets selected, he will almost certainly take some time before appearing in professional hockey. Despite all the uncertainty around him, Ryabkin could seriously rise the rankings with a strong finish to this season and cement himself as the top Russian in this class and a dynamic NHL player.

Pytor Andreyanov, G

Andreyanov is the top EU goaltender and one of the top netminders in this class, regardless of region. His last two seasons in the MHL with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva have been spectacular. In his D-1 year, he started 20 games, second most on the team, and posted a save percentage of .916. This year, his numbers across the board have skyrocketed. He has taken the reins as Krasnaya’s number-one starter by starting 29 of the team’s 51 games. Andreyanov’s save percentage has also ballooned to .940, as he’s led Krasnaya to second in the silver division.

The most interesting facet of Andreyanov’s game is that the more shots he faces over the game, the stronger he becomes. His impressive six-foot frame also gives him an intriguing starting point for teams to consider. However, the most impressive aspect of Andreyanov’s game is his positioning and overall consistency. He rarely is out of position when the opposition has sustained zone time, and when they generate a shot on the net, he flashes a lightning-quick glove hand and can steer a rebound to a low-danger area. However, simultaneously, his rebound control is one of two main areas of improvement for Andreyanov. While he does a good job at steering pucks to low-traffic areas and making second and third efforts, swallowing more pucks, especially with traffic in front, will be a key area that NHL scouts look for improvement. Along similar lines, Andreyanov needs to improve his game when faced with traffic and screens in front. I mentioned the rebound issues, but he also seems to lose some of his traditional composure. Andreyanov becomes a bit twitchy when a puck bounces out in front, but maintaining that composure will have to extend throughout every aspect of his game. Regardless, Andreyanov is an extremely talented goaltender, and it will not be surprising to see him picked in round two.

Maxim Agafonov, D

As a 6-2 right-shot defenseman, Agafonov certainly fits the mold that NHL teams crave. This season, he has played with Toros Neftekamsk in the VHL and Tolpar Ufa in the MHL. With Tolpar, he has 25 games under his belt and has 10 points from the back end, with four of which finding the back of the net. In the VHL, he has just three points, but they came in only 12 games.

Agafonov is a great skater. He boasts a long stride that helps him gain ground faster than his peers. He uses this to make up ground on the back check or break the puck out of his defensive zone. He combines this skating ability with a strong ability to make a stretch pass on the breakout. He involves himself in Tolpar’s attack offensively without compromising his defensive positioning. The most significant improvement that can take Agafonov to the next level is his play in the defensive zone when the opposition has sustained pressure. He can get over-aggressive at certain times and get caught out of position. The overall consistency in his defensive play will have to get better. Despite this improvement, Agafonov is still a long-term option for the team that drafts him. However, he has the raw ability to be an NHL-caliber defenseman with some fine-tuning.

Kurban Limatov, D

Limatov is one of Russia’s more intriguing mid-round options in this class. The first thing you notice is his frame. He stands at 6-3, but it is hard to tell with his skating. Limatov flies up and down the ice with a fluid stride and boasts great edge work, especially in the offensive zone. Limatov can carry the puck into the offensive zone and set up his team. He has translated this skating into 20 points for MHK Dynamo Moskva. Limatov is also a good passer. He makes tape-to-tape passes and allows forwards to have the puck in space.

Defensively, however, Limatov is just as capable of impacting the game. In transition, he uses his speed while leading with his stick to take away time and space from attackers on the rush. He has a long, active stick that forces the opposition to decide whether it be a shot, pass, or dump. Limatov also loves to throw the body, laying punishing checks on players with his big size. Regardless of the round, whoever selects Limatov on draft night will be thrilled with the player they selected. Limatov has the ability and potential to become an impact NHL defenseman.

Thank you for reading. Follow me on X @norr028