Red Wings: The Three Best Russian Prospects in the Draft

PLYMOUTH, MI - DECEMBER 12: Daniil Chayka #5 of the U17 Russian Nationals takes a slap shot against the Slovakia Nationals during day-2 of game one of the 2018 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament at USA Hockey Arena on December 12, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. Russia defeated Slovakia 6-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
PLYMOUTH, MI - DECEMBER 12: Daniil Chayka #5 of the U17 Russian Nationals takes a slap shot against the Slovakia Nationals during day-2 of game one of the 2018 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament at USA Hockey Arena on December 12, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. Russia defeated Slovakia 6-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
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Nikita Chibrikov – W

Russia’s Nikita Chibrikov (L) and Czech Republic’s Petr Kodytek during Euro Hockey Tour between Russia and Czech Republic on February 14, 2021, at Malmoe Arena in Sweden. (Photo by Andreas HILLERGREN / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by ANDREAS HILLERGREN/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)
Russia’s Nikita Chibrikov (L) and Czech Republic’s Petr Kodytek during Euro Hockey Tour between Russia and Czech Republic on February 14, 2021, at Malmoe Arena in Sweden. (Photo by Andreas HILLERGREN / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP) / Sweden OUT (Photo by ANDREAS HILLERGREN/TT NEWS AGENCY/AFP via Getty Images)

Chibrikov is another Russian that spent 2020-21 at home. He played in three Russian leagues this season, all within the SKA St. Petersburg organization. In the KHL, he notched a goal and an assist in 16 games. In 20 VHL games, Chibrikov netted three goals and tacked on five assists in 20 games. Lastly, in the MHL, he scored nine points (3 goals and 6 assists) in 11 games. Chibrikov also acted as the captain for Team Russia in the U-18 World Championship, where he scored four goals and nine assists in just seven games.

Chibrikov’s impressive performance at the worlds garnered attention around the league. With his toolkit, Chibrikov has one of the best offensive upsides in the draft. He has almost everything you can ask for from a forward: top-end speed and skating, great vision/hockey IQ and shifty puck/stick maneuvering. Chibrikov has the ability to outsmart a defender with a wide range of moves, whether it be slinging an accurate pass to an advancing teammate, cycling the puck into the offensive zone to create a new series or slipping past with speed and shifty puck handling. The biggest downside to Chibrikov is his defense: it’s downright bad. He looks aloof on assignments, sometimes “disappearing” in the defensive zone.

Like Chayka, Chibrikov is not ready for the NHL. He struggled to translate his offensive skills to the KHL, but it’ll come with time. The organization that drafts him should let him stay in Russia and perfect his offense and develop a defensive game. NHL teams cannot afford a defensive liability on the ice, and currently, that’s exactly what Chibrikov is. He doesn’t really fit the bill as a typical Yzerman prospect, but his offensive toolkit might be too good to ignore.