Nikita Artamonov

November 2023 – Nikita Artamanov is the definition of ‘he’s got that dog in him.’ He is often the hardest-working player on the ice, getting stuck into battles with men twice his age playing in the KHL. His tenacious presence on the forecheck often leads to turnovers which he quickly turns into scoring chances with accurate passes. He is a legitimately dangerous playmaker thanks to his precise puck handling and ability to get passes through lanes. He also has a strong understanding of space and timing, particularly in the offensive zone. This puts him in a good position to score on a regular basis although his finishing is only about average. His strong work ethic allows him to overcome an inefficient stride that ultimately limits his top speed. That being said, improvements in his skating technique could unlock more upside in transition. Graham Montgomery (November Rankings: 15th Overall)