Nikita Tryamkin

May 2021- Despite signs signaling a potential return, Tryamkin has re-signed in the KHL for two seasons. Once the towering defender’s contract reaches its full term, his rights will no longer belong to the Canucks, meaning that he will be free to sign to a team of his choice. Dave Hall

March 2021 – With Yekaterinburg eliminated from their recent playoff run, Tryamkin, who currently sits as an RFA until 2022,  is officially free to return to the NHL. He posted a strong 2020-21 campaign, contributing 15 points (3G +12A), 77 hits, and 122 blocked shots – a total that sat third league-wide. Now 26, and four years removed from his initial stint with the Canucks, the club certainly knows what to expect from the towering, shutdown defender – and it’s just that. Standing at 6-foot-8, 254-pounds, he carries an extremely large frame, but skates decently well, considering. With grizzled veteran, Alex Edler, becoming UFA this summer, there could be a significant hole on the backend. If the logistics make sense, there is potential to find a value deal, which would solidify some depth on the left side. Peripherals are certainly on the menu for fantasy owners but do not expect much on the offensive front. Dave Hall

March 2020 – For the third season in a row, the towering defender has seen his minutes decrease and his counting stats go right along with it. The 25-year-old’s three-year contract in the KHL is now complete and he is free to return to North America and give the NHL a try. Although he’s returning to a much deeper lineup than he left. They say large players take longer to develop so perhaps there remains some hope that Tryamkin can sort his way into a top-four role, but the likelihood says otherwise. Cam Robinson

March 2019 – Tryamkin has seen his role decrease this past season, even having his Alternate Captiancy taken away. The humongous left-side defender saw his production cut in half in the process. He has one year remaining on his KHL contract and still possesses some NHL-upside. Cam Robinson

April 2018 – Tryamkin experienced a terrific return to the KHL this past season. The towering defender led his squad in defensemen scoring with nine goals and 25 points in 51 games – good for 15th most by a blueliner in the league. Tryamkin wasn’t shy about asserting his physical dominance either as his 109 penalty minutes led the KHL. With two years remaining on his contract, don’t expect to see him back in Vancouver for some time – if at all. Cam Robinson

December 2017 – Tryamkin hasn’t missed a beat in his return to KHL this season. The 6’7 rearguard has been tremendous for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, recording seven goals, 21 points and 60 penalty minutes in just 34 contests. He has been named the KHL Defenseman of the Month for both October and November and is surely making the Canucks’ brass cringe. He is all but assured to be on the Russian Olympic squad this February and is now consistently showing the promise that netted him a third round selection in 2014. Canucks’ GM, Jim Benning recently was interviewed saying that if Tryamkin wishes to return to North American, the ball if fully in his court but he will have two more years remaining on his KHL deal after this season. Vancouver holds his rights until July 1st 2022. Cam Robinson

April 2017 – The Canucks were dealt a substantial blow when their towering, 22-year-old defenseman decided to head home to the KHL after just one season in North America. Citing differences with coaching staff, deployment and homesickness, Tryamkin will make more money at home and not be left on a bottom-feeding Vancouver squad in the midst of a long rebuild. The Canucks own his rights until 2022 if he does decide to return. Cam Robinson

March 2017 – Tryamkin has had a strong rookie season for the Canucks. The towering blueliner has adjusted well to the smaller ice surface and the coaching staff has raved about his improved conditioning and off-ice work. The 22-year-old is a terrific skater – especially for player standing 6-7 – brings great physicality and a howitzer of a shot from the point. While the points haven’t come in bushels yet, with some further development and adjustments, he could become a formidable offensive weapon down the line. He returned to the NHL lineup after missing six games with mumps. Cam Robinson

September 2016 – Tryamkin showed well during his brief tenure with the Canucks at the end of last season. While there were some noticeable growing pains as a result of moving to the smaller ice surface, new teammates and systems, the massive defender flashed strong skills at both ends of the rink. He has all but assured himself a spot in Vancouver to begin the 2016-17 season and reports are coming out that he has improved his stamina and endurance over the summer. At 6-7 and 240 pounds, opposing teams had better be ready for one hefty load patrolling Vancouver’s backend for years to come. Cam Robinson

March 2016 – After a fair amount of speculation, all was decided when Vancouver signed Tryamkin to a two-year, entry level contract. Tryamkin’s KHL club, Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg, released the massive defenseman from his contract with the club that was due to expire on April 30th of this year. While he is expected to play with the Canucks this season, worth noting is that his contract includes an AHL “out clause”, facilitating a potential move back to the KHL if assigned to the AHL next season. This shouldn’t dissuade you from picking Tryamkin up for your keeper league – if his performance comes close to his potential, it could be a very low cost pick-up with great upside. ~ David McDonald

January 2016 – Tryamkin has continued his development this season by maintaining his roughly 0.25 points-per-game average with four goals and 11 points through 44 games playing with Yekaterinburg of the KHL. He is still developing his overall game, but his cannon of a shot and mammoth size are things you simply can’t teach. He will have to continue to learn how to keep that physical advantage in check, though, as he has logged 40 PIMs, spiking to nearly a minute per contest. That should improve over time, but he is showing signs that his game is trending in the right direction. While a move to North America is unclear at this point, his deal with Yekaterinburg will expire in April, when he’ll be eligible to sign with the Canucks. David McDonald

November 2015 – On pace for a career high in points, the Russian giant already has seven points (two goals) in 31 games for Yekaterinburg of the KHL. Last season he finished with six points in 58 games, while his previous career-high was seven points in 45 games in 2013-14. Slowly learning how to use his size better, his 16 PIM’s are also lower than his usual PIM per game pace. Showing an improvement in discipline is something important for these types of defenseman for when they come over to North America. Tryamkin still has much work to do, but his start to this season is night and day compared to last year. Mike Barrett

October 2014 – Tryamkin has not had the start to the season that he would have liked. With only 2 assists in 19 games and a minus-2 rating, it does not look like a promising season is on the mend for the towering defenseman. Mike Barrett

August 2014 – To paraphrase Ray Ferraro “there’s an awkwardness about him, but is going to improve as he loses some of that awkwardness” (1:13 mark, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8c99v190QI). This accurately sums up Nikita Tryamkin’s development in one line. Due to this awkwardness the hulking defenseman was not selected in the 2012 or 2013 NHL entry draft. The Vancouver Canuck finally selected him in the third round (66th overall) in the 2014 draft. As it is often more difficult to gauge the development of players who have been overlooked in the draft (due to the difference in their development curve compared to their peers) Nikita Tryamkin is definitely one to keep an eye on. Tryamkin spent the 2011-2012 season with Avto Yekaterinburg of the MHL finishing with 12 points (three goals, nine assists, minus-7) in 60 games. The young Russian began the 2012-2013 season in the MHL, showing much improved play as his body began filling out (18 points in 28 games, plus-nine) eventually getting his first taste of professional hockey. Playing in 32 games for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of the KHL, contributing three goals and one assist (minus-four) in those games. The 2013-2014 season was definitely the most exciting one for the 19 year old defenseman. Now a fixture in the second best league in the world, Tryamkin’s experience playing against men every night and ever developing size earned him a spot on Russia’s 2014 World Junior roster. He finished the tournament with three points (one goal, two assists, plus-five) in seven games, garnering a lot of North American exposure due to his imposing frame and booming shot. Boasting tremendous size and natural hockey sense, Tryamkin is an exciting prospect. He effectively uses his long-reach to disrupt the opposition and shows toughness by blocking a lot of rubber and using his big frame to lean on opponents in the defensive zone. Offensively he shows above-average ability for a defenseman. Combines smooth stickhandling with good patience and vision to create chances by finding teammates down low. Most notably perhaps is his heavy shot from the point which makes him a threat on the power play. He frequently uses that shot and likes to throw a lot of pucks toward the net. The Negative: Needs to fill out, get stronger. Continue to develop his skating and become more explosive. Has not shown the ability to take over games yet. Bottom line: His combination of size, hockey sense and willingness are what will get him into the NHL. If he really works on improving the details of his game and becomes a suffocating defensive presence he will be a force to be reckoned with. Mike Barrett