Kirill Kudryavtsev

March 2023 – Kudryavtsev has caught the attention of the Canucks, leading to an official Entry-Level deal. He is currently enjoying a career season with the Soo Greyhounds’, surpassing his 2020-21 totals (5G +34A) with plenty of games in hand. He has emerged as the Hounds’ top puck mover on the backend and ranks among the top-15 leaguewide in points by a defender (6G + 40A). Despite the signing, fantasy investors should not anticipate immediate returns as Kudryavtsev is expected to return to the Soo for his third year in 2023-24, where he’ll continue to develop his game as a number-one quarterback. Being a late-round draftee, there is still a long way to go before he dons an NHL jersey. Nevertheless, much like they have done with previous seventh-round projects, the Canucks seem to recognize his potential as a two-way presence down the road. Dave Hall

July 2022 – Kudryavtsev was drafted in the seventh round (201st overall) by the Vancouver Canucks. The left-shot rearguard made the trip across the pond for the 2021-22 campaign, suiting up for the Soo Greyhounds. His transition to the small ice was rather seamless, earning immediate top-four minutes and making his presence felt on the scoresheet. With 39 points (5-34-39), the Russian defender finished third among rookie defenders league-wide. He is a player who brings pinches of everything and can be more than competent at both ends of the ice. His game lacks consistency, and there are tendencies to take his foot off the gas. However, when he’s on, he is a competitor and a dual threat on the ice. As a seventh-round pick, his path to the top offers an extended timeline. However, despite falling at the draft table, he projects quite high and carries interesting NHL upside. Dave Hall