Nikolai Prokhorkin

April 2020 – After a short four-game stint in the AHL to start the season, Prokhorkin appeared in 43 games in the NHL after moving back to North America from Russia. The big center has played in many different situations, including as high as the second line and low as the fourth line and in both wing and center positions due to the surplus the Kings have down the middle. This season has been an experimental period for both Prokhorkin and the team with a new coach at the helm and many players in and out of the lineup given the rebuilding state the franchise is in. He has seen a decline offensively from his point per game pace in the KHL last season but that is expected given the drastic change of scenery. Prokhorkin will become RFA at the end of this season and the team will have to decide whether they want to keep him in the fold going forward. The improvements to his all-around game including on defense have shown there is still room to grow even if he is 26 years-old which should help his case to remain in Los Angeles.  Julian Mongillo

October 2019 – The former KHL star who came over to North America after signing a one year deal with the Kings this offseason was assigned to Ontario to begin the year in the AHL. It was fully expected that Prokhorkin would slot in somewhere in the Kings bottom six but with the logjam at the center position that was not the case. The fear now is that Prokhorkin will follow the same path as he did back in 2012 after playing 8 games with the Kings AHL affiliate where he made his way back to the KHL. The European Assignment clause in his contract will allow him to return to Europe if he is not playing in the NHL however, the date that the stipulation kicks in is not yet known. He is currently seeing third-line center minutes for the Reign alongside Martin Frk and Michael Eyssimont. Just when we thought the Prokhorkin saga was over it is back in full force. Julian Mongillo

May 2019 – After recording 20 goals and 41 points in 41 KHL contests in 2018-19, the 26-year-old Prokhorkin has signed with the LA Kings. The 6’3 centre was originally drafted by LA in 2012 and has been slow cooking at home since. His progression has been steadily rising in recent seasons, culminating with this top-five point-per-game campaign. Cam Robinson

September 2017 – In May 2016, Prokhorkin signed a three-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg, sharing in a Gagarin Cup title in his first year. Moving to the stacked roster of SKA wasn’t all positive personally, as it led to a significant drop in ice time from about 17 minutes per game to near 13. We will have to wait until 2020 to see if there is a chance that he comes to the NHL. Since the NHL has no transfer agreement with Russia, the Kings could hold Prokhorkin’s rights indefinitely. Jamie Barber

January 2016 – Prokhorkin had a down season in 2014-15, with 20 points in 41 games. However, this season he is finding points more often, and is fifth in scoring on his team with 32 points (17 goals and 15 assists) in 49 games. With eight games remaining, he has a chance of matching his KHL career-high point total (37). Philip Kamhi

September 2015 – Not surprisingly, talent triumphs over trouble, as Prokhorkin has found a home with KHL side Salavat Yulaev. He’s put in the productive top-six minutes necessary toward repairing his rep so far. But as of now, a shot at the NHL still appears to be a far-off prospect. Sheng Peng

May 2015 – Is LA done with Prokhorkin? A recent report from MayorsManor.com suggests that Los Angeles isn’t interesting in bringing the 2012 fourth-rounder over anytime soon. That news caps offs a rough season for the talented Russian pivot, which saw him demoted to the VHL, scratched frequently in the playoffs, and suspended before the conference finals. While he still displays the offensive skills which helped him lead his KHL team in scoring as a 20-year-old, where is he even going to play this fall? Sheng Peng

May 2014 – Reports out of Russia are stating that Prokhorkin may be opting out of his KHL contract with CKSA and headed to North America to play for the Los Angeles Kings. Drafted in 2012, Prokhorkin racked up 19 goals and 37 points for CKSA to lead a team in scoring that included former NHLers Alexander Radulovand Alexander Frolov. Brendan Ross

December 2013 – Prokhorkin is considered by many a top 10 and by some, a top 5 prospect in the Kings organization. Unfortunately, a lot of the analysis on his development towards the North American and NHL style of play will remain on hold as Prokhorkin is signed to play in Russia through 2015. In only eight AHL appearances, he managaed one assist but has shown the ability to find the back of the net in the Russian leagues. This season he is on pace to have his most productive yet.  A great skater with above average puck handling ability, Prokhorkin does have a tendency to force a pass rather than taking the available shot.  He likes to play a physical brand of offense which works where he is but he may want to spend some time in the gym if he wants to bring that to North America full time. Pete Richmere