Vasili Ponomaryov

March 2024 – Ponomaryov has been traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins as part of the package for Jake Guentzel. Curtis Rines

January 2024 – A weird start to the year for Vasili Ponomaryov, who had a stellar prospect and training camp for the Carolina Hurricanes and had a real shot to make the team out of camp but got hurt right before the start of the year that derailed his chances. Ponomaryov then heads to the AHL level where, for the Tucson Roadrunners and Chicago Wolves, has 6 goals and 19 assists for 25 points in 25 games. He then gets a call up to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 5th and has a great debut, adding a primary assist and his first career NHL goal. His two-way play received praise from Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour, which makes it seem like Ponomaryov is the first name on the call-up sheet when an injury happens. Ponomaryov’s NHL projection long term is a bottom 6 center with the ability to play on the penalty kill or the power play. Nick Bass

September 2023 – The best forward that showed up for the Carolina Hurricanes the prospect showcase, Ponomaryov showed that he deserves a legit chance at the NHL roster. Consistently trusted on the top penalty killing unit, as well as the top power play, the work that Ponomarev has been putting in with the NHL players currently in Carolina was evident. Putting up at least one point (a goal and three assists, to be exact), and consistently being the best player, in each game showed that he is about ready to step into a role with the Hurricanes. It also confirmed that his great year with the Chicago Wolves in the AHL during the 2022-2023 season was not a fluke. Ponomarev has a real, legit chance to sneak onto the fourth line of the Hurricanes depending on his performance in training camp, and even if he doesn’t make the big league club out of camp I do not think it takes too long to see him make his NHL debut. Nick Bass

May 2023 – A massive riser in the prospect rankings, Ponomarev has concluded his rookie year in the AHL. A solid defense-minded center, Ponomarev found his groove on the offensive end of the ice this season, with 46 points in 64 games and 24 of those being goals. His shooting percentage is probably a little inflated but there is no reason he cannot keep this up. Ponomarev is certainly a player to keep your eye on going into training camp as Ponomarev, Jack Drury and Jamieson Rees will more than likely battle it out for a roster spot. Nick Bass

March 2022 – The 20-year-old second-rounder has split time across the Russian MHL, VHL and KHL this season, putting up a total of 10 goals and 14 assists in 39 games at all levels. It likely isn’t easy getting into a groove and being deployed consistently with the shuffling about. He is one season removed from going more than a point per game for Shawinigan in the QMJHL, and is seeing his opportunity overseas. He has seen his NHL Equivalency numbers dip for the last three seasons, and is not currently a major threat to steal playing time away from Carolina’s established top-six forwards, or higher ranked prospects. Alex Wyatt

September 2021 – Ponomaryov started the year in the KHL struggling to get ice time, he produced 0 points in six games before being loaned to the VHL. Since the loan, he has two assists and looks to be more comfortable now that he’s getting more consistent ice time. With a bigger role, I would expect him to be a better producer and get back to his high-end playmaking form. Austin Broad 

April 2021 – Ponomaryov finished the QMJHL season fourth on Shawinigan in total points with 38 in 33 games. He had 10 goals and 28 assists (second on the team) and was one of the most consistent performers on Shawinigan’s roster. The QMJHL will not be running playoffs this year, so his 2021 season has officially come to an end. Austin Broad

March 2021 – Ponomaryov is having a fantastic season in the QMJHL, the forward has 24-assists and nine goals in 27 games for Shawinigan. Currently leading the team in points and second on the team in assists, he has a point in seven of his last 10 games and does not appear to be slowing down any time soon. Austin Broad 

January 2021 – Ponomaryov was a standout for Team Russia this year at the WJC, where he scored three goals in seven games for his home country. A talented, tough forward, Ponomaryov is probably a ways away from making an impact, but he’s an intriguing prospect in the pipeline for the Canes. Jack LeGwin

October 2020 – Ponomaryov was drafted 53rd overall by the Carolina Hurricanes. Pat Quinn 

September 2020 – The Russian forward found a nice home in Shawinigan as a QMJHL rookie in 2019-20. It did no hurt that he meshed quickly with top 2020-eligible prospect, Mavrik Bourque. The two formed a deadly top line for the Cataractes. Ponomaryov is a north-south forward who has spent time at center and the wing. He enjoys creating havoc on the forecheck and has a keen sense for distributing the puck. A likely second-round selection, the 18-year-old has a lot of translatable skills. Cam Robinson