Konstantin Volkov

March 2022 – I think any hope of Volkov being signed by the Predators anytime soon might have diminished after this season in Liiga. After an impressive VHL career where the 24-year-old goaltender posted a .914 save percentage in 66 games, he plummeted to a .897 in 37 games played during his first season with Ässät. To give some context behind his numbers, Volkov was still the better of the two goalies to play for Ässät this year, who also happened to be the worst team in Liiga with an 18-36-6 record. Ässät did have a rough stretch in December due to a COVID outbreak, which could explain their unimpressive season. Overall, Volkov did start to come into his own during the last period of the season, where he had a .912 save percentage in his final five games. Do I think the Predators will finally sign him to a deal? No. However, if he can bounce back next season on a hopefully improved Ässät team, his NHL hopes could rise, but right now, it is simply too big of a risk to use a contract spot on him. Curtis Rines

July 2019 – Volkov began the 2018-19 season playing with Sokol Krasnoyarsk in the VHL, and experienced an injury plagued season. Once returning from injury, he was dealt to Yugra Khanty-Mansiyuk where he finished off the year.  Volkov played all of eight games last season so it is difficult to get a read on his developmental curve at this point.  He has signed a one-year extension to remain in the VHL next season and it will be a telling one for the 22-year old.  While his physical stature is impressive, his consistency needs to improve and his ability to shutdown opposition and steal games has yet to be seen. Nicholas Kawka