Nikita Artamonov

June 2024 – Hurricanes fans were ecstatic when Nikita Artamonov was selected at 50th overall, most would have been happy if they took him at 27! The high-energy Russian winger bounces from player to player in search of the puck and he uses his high hockey IQ to aid in being a very solid playmaker. Nick Bass

June 2024 – Artamonov was selected in the second round, 50th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2024 NHL Draft. Hadi Kalakeche

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)