Vladimir Tkachyov

June 2022 – Tkachyov inked a one-year contract with his hometown team in Russia, Avengard Omsk of the KHL. Tkachyov was not guaranteed to be given the opportunities to crack the NHL roster in LA, but he should be given an abundance of opportunity in the KHL. At age 26, the Kings can still retain his rights with a qualifying offer but given his age and the point he is at in his career, the forward could be done in North America for good. Sean Crocker

May 2022 -Tkachyov started 2021-22 with the Kings, but only played four games where he logged two assists. The Russian forward was sent down to Ontario of the AHL and began to scrape the surface of his upside by scoring seven goals and adding 22 assists to that total in 41 games played with the Reign. Despite the offensive burst in the American Hockey League, Tkachyov still remains an unknown commodity at the NHL level. Turning 27 in the fall, the runway is running short for the Russian forward and is quickly approaching now or never territory. Tkachyov could still discover some untapped potential to work his way into an offensive middle-six role with the big club when the fall rolls around. Sean Crocker

June 2021 – The LA Kings have come to terms on a one-year entry-level deal with 25-year-old Russian, Tkachyov. This will be considered his second shot at the NHL level, as the undrafted winger took reps in training camp as a member of the Edmonton Oilers in 2015. However, due to his undrafted status, he was deemed inelegible to play. Although slighlty undersized, he is considered a high-level talent, having led SKA St.Peterburg in production the past two seasons, while posting considerable numbers in the KHL for seven. With 123 of his total 185 KHL points in the assists column, he is viewed as an elusive playmaker by trade. Although, the remaining aspects of his game are not to be slept on. Considering the cost, this is a very low risk ticket, with a high reward attached to it. Should he fail to make the starting roster, it is understood that he will be returning to the KHL for the 2021-22 campaign. The boom or bust potential is very real. Dave Hall