Dmitry Zavgorodniy

May 2022 – Zavgorodniy has been put on unconditional waivers by the Flames for the purpose of a contract termination. He was loaned to HK Sochi of the KHL in December after getting in just 12 AHL games. He played in just 10 more KHL games to finish the season. Zavgorodniy was scratched constantly in the AHL so it is understandable that he feels his services will be more needed in the KHL. It is hinted that he will sign in Sochi this off season. Hopefully his time in the KHL develops his game enough to come back to North America and make an impact. Pat Quinn

April 2022 – Zavgorodniy played on the fourth line once, getting his first game action in a few weeks. In what seemed like two years ago where he was considered to be a sleeper draft pick selection (seventh round back in 2018), it seems like he is a middle of the road prospect who may be nothing more than a fringe guy at best at the moment. Chris Fekete

Oct 2020 – One of the Flames prospects who has managed to adapt and find playing time is Zavgorodniy. He’s already signed an ELC with Calgary but found himself playing a few games for St. Petersburg SKA in the KHL; grabbing three assists in four games. It is going to be hard for him to find consistent minutes on a team that loves to give those to vets, but any production is good. Having him skate in competitive practices is also good for his development before he eventually joins Stockton. A lot of people are sleeping on how good Zavgorodniy could be, even within the Flames fanbase. The former 7th round pick is a top-10 Flames fantasy prospect right now. Joel Henderson

Jan 2020 – With 43 points (16+27) in 23 games had Zavgorodniy rising up many charts and being picked up on many fantasy rosters. This is simply a prospect stepping in the numbers that his skill deserves. He hasn’t seen game action since being hurt on Nov 17th but reports are that he’s begun skating on his own again. He’s signed his ELC with Calgary and the sky is the limit for the undersized playmaking forward. Joel Henderson

Sept 2019 – It is starting to become clear that Flames staff are impressed with what they’ve seen from the young Zavgorodniy. He has had consistent top-nine minutes alongside fellow prospects Ruzicka, Pospisil, and Philp during preseason prospects camp. No matter how it has shaken down, he has been on offensive lines and was often the playmaking catalyst. He is improving his skating and quickness and has the ability to make decisions with the puck quickly. His pace of play can certainly translate to the pro game. Another strong year for Rimouski is on the way. Joel Henderson

April 2019 – Flames have chosen to sign the undersized playmaking forward to his ELC. It’s not everyday that a 7th-round pick finds his way to a contract this fast, especially finishing with under a PPG in the QMJHL. His production at times is electric and he continues to create space effectively for teammates. Lots of room for development left so watch him closely and don’t be scared if he needs a number of years to develop. Slow burn on this playmaker. Joel Henderson

Feb 2019 – The hot fall has cooled for the Flames winger, but make no mistake, his development is still very strong. The addition of fellow Flames prospect Joly hasn’t affected Zavgorodniy’s playing time. He is still driving the playmaking on his own line and finding top-PP minutes. If he was playing night in and night out with Alexis Lafreniere then the hype train would be massive. Realistically though, he’s having a quality season. Joel Henderson

Oct 2018 – Calgary Flames selected the small Russian in the 7th round of the 2018 Entry Draft. Zavgorodniy was selected 8th overall by Rimouski in the 2017 CHL Entry draft and had a solid rookie season in the QMJHL. Calgary is not known for selecting many Russian players but jumped on the opportunity to select him in the 7th round when he was still available. He is a very shifty, offensive-minded forward who can create off the rush, off the forecheck or 5on5. He uses his ability to change directions quickly to separate himself ever so slightly from defenders. This allows him more playmaking room to continue to survey the zone. He has decent north-south speed but his true speedy effectiveness is his ability to capitalize on loose pucks. It sometimes appears he has better acceleration than he does because of his ability to change direction so fast. It’s a wonderful forechecking trait.

He also has a very deceptive shot and high hockey IQ. Like many smaller prospects, he will have to put on some weight and continue to use his shifty edgework to allow him creative separation in the offensive zone. He plays on the same squad as top 2019 prospect Alexis Lafreniere but they do not usually play 5on5 together. You may see Zavgorodniy in many different positions on the PP as well. He is off to a very promising start to the 2018-19 season and is a good sleeper fantasy prospect to store for a while. Calgary showed in 2018 that they aren’t afraid to target skill and ignore size. Keep an eye on him. Joel Henderson