Yegor Rykov

August 2020 – After playing his debut season in North America entirely with the Hartford Wolfpack, Yegor Rykov has been loaned to CSKA Moskva of the KHL. The loan is almost certainly related to the uncertainty surrounding the return of the AHL with the looming COVID-19 pandemic. Rykov demonstrated a moderate ability to keep pace with his peers in the AHL, however, did not perform when challenged to produce offense. With the potential of not returning to North America this season on the table, the question of whether or not Rykov is renewed next summer could come down to his sheer will to contribute on a relatively experienced KHL squad. Brayden Olafson

May 2019 – The New York Rangers have made official the signing of 22-year-old Russian defender, Yegor Rykov to a two-year ELC. By putting pen to paper, Rykov becomes only the fourth left-handed defensemen to be under contract with the team for the 2019-20 campaign. Included in the fine print, Rykov hold the benefits of a European Assignment Clause in the second and final year of the deal. Next fall, however, the team will have full reign to develop Rykov in the AHL without the threat of losing his North American services. By Christmas we should have a much clearer picture of his future with the Rangers. Brayden Olafson

March 2019 – Rykov continues to develop consistently in arguably the world’s second best league, the KHL. His production has been low-to-moderate, but on a broader scale, his game has developed tremendously. The biggest hurdle for both the Rangers and Rykov himself will be initiating the transition to North America. As a player, his potential to become an effective middle-pairing defenseman in the NHL is respectable, but the Russian factor could play a role in his actual NHL potential. Bryaden Olafson

February 2018 – The New York Rangers acquired Rykov in the Rick Nash trade. Rykov is currently playing on the power house SKA St. Petersburg roster with former NHL stars such as Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk. The Rangers may be posturing themselves to sign Kovalchuk as a free agent this summer in this deal as it relieves them of the Nash contract and gives Kovalchuk a friend and teammate in Rykov. Peter Harling

January 2018 – Rykov is slowly rising up the Devils’ prospect depth chart with another strong season with KHL’s top team, SKA St. Petersburg. Rykov has nearly doubled his point totals from last season and has managed to find the back of the net twice this year, something he had never done before in his two previous KHL campaigns. Rykov was one of twelve Russian defenceman invited to tryout for “Olympic Athletes from Russia” who look to be a favourite in the 2018 Winter Olympics. Rykov may be a long shot to make the final roster, but he is definitely turning heads in Russia. Grant Frey

April 2017 – Rykov’s SKA St. Petersburg club earned the KHL title besting Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Gagarin Cup Finals four games to one. Playing for a deep team the young, large defenseman capped off his zero-goal, nine-assist, 49-game regular season with 15 postseason games in which he saw little ice time but gained more valuable championship experience. With his KHL contract expired Rykov may decide to play in North America next year, perhaps with re-tooling New Jersey. Kevin Wickersham  

December 2016 – As an alternate captain for Russia’s 2017 U20 WJC team, and captain at the 2015 U18 World Championship, Rykov has garnered a respectable amount of international hockey leadership experience at just 19 years of age. At 6-2, 216 pounds, Rykov profiles as a solid and cerebral two-way defenseman with a large frame that handles the puck well, who has improving defensive skills. He is adept at causing opponent turnovers, and while his positioning on the ice might benefit from some refining, he displays grit and heart by aggressively slowing down opponents any way he can. As his contract with the KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg expires by May of next year, it will be interesting to see if he decides to play in North America and where he might land in the Devils’ system, one that has a budding list of talented young defensemen. Still growing, and possessing a hard left-handed shot in addition to impressive skating and passing skills that generate scoring opportunities, he may meet with swift success. – Kevin Wickersham