Roman Kantserov

December 2024 – Kantserov parlayed a strong and productive KHL playoff into a red-hot start to his season (13 points in 23 games, helping his team win the Gagarin Cup). Things began late for Kantserov, as he was sidelined with a preseason injury. But when he did return, he made a huge splash and is rocketing up the scoring list with 15 points in 17 games. As a point of comparison, his teammate – who is more highly touted as a prospect – Daniil Yurov, has 16 in 29! Kantserov’s size (5-9) still leaves questions about an NHL career, but he has sneaky-good offensive upside and could be one to stash in keepers. – Dobber

June 2023 – Kantserov was selected 44th overall by the Blackhawks. Pat Quinn

June 2023 – Kantserov took a lot of time to warm up to the DobberProspects scouting team. He was off to a slow start, but before the end of the season, he had turned some interesting individual tools into an exciting package of skills. He finished his MHL campaign with an even split of 27 goals and assists for 54 points in 45 games for Magnitogorsk’s MHL side, and even appeared in one KHL game.

A lot of what Kantserov does, he does at his highest possible speed. He loves to rush down the flanks and circle the net with the puck out of transitions, almost to a fault. At the start of the year, it was pretty egregious; I don’t think I saw him cut back a single time with the puck. It was always full steam ahead with Kantserov. As the season went on, it seemed like Kantserov caught on to what works better – he started cutting back with the puck, lifting his eyes off the puck to scan the ice, and that’s when flashes of playmaking became consistent staples of his game. He started hitting tough seams more often, using his hands and feet to get to the middle, and getting shots on goal from more and more dangerous spots. Overall, Kantserov needs a lot of work in refining his game, but the progression throughout the year makes him an alluring prospect to take a shot on in the mid rounds. Hadi Kalakeche