The Colorado Avalanche are getting ready for Game 2 in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Minnesota Wild, and their current goaltending group is set for the forseeable future. However, the team will be adding to its AHL roster with a recent draftee.
The Avalanche drafted Ilya Nabokov in the second round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. He was the first goaltender taken in that draft class and has been regarded as a future star in the NHL one day.
That time appears to be getting very close, as Nabokov wrote on his Instagram that his time in Russia has come to an end. The Avalanche wanted to get him accustomed to North America as soon as possible, and there was nothing keeping him from going that direction once his KHL season came to an end.
Nabokov signed a two-year entry level contract (ELC) with the Avalanche almost a year ago. He ended up being loaned to the KHL’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk. This season, he played in 38 games, with 97 goals against, a goals-against average of 2.74, save percentage of .901, and a record of 22-7-5, with the last column being ties. (I mention that because it is different than the NHL, where the last column is overtime losses as there are no longer ties in the league).
Statistically, this past season was Nabokov’s worst. In previous seasons, his worst save percentage had been .923, in 2024-25.
During this postseason, Nabokov played in seven games, with 18 goals against with 149 saves, goals-against average of 2.74, save percentage of .892.
Ilya Nabokov’s message on Instagram, translated from Russian
“Friends, the season ended not the way we would have liked.
You all saw it yourselves — it’s disappointing, frustrating. A tough series, a lot of battles, a lot of emotions, many moments you’d want to replay — but hockey doesn’t deal in “what ifs.” This time, it turned out this way.
And one more important point.
This was my final game for Metallurg. A club where I grew up, studied, took my first steps in professional hockey, became a champion, went through tough losses, and celebrated big wins. It’s invaluable experience. Metallurg is not just a team to me — it’s half of my life, 12 years long.
Thank you to everyone who was by my side all these years: teammates, staff, coaches, management, and of course, the fans. It may seem like a small thing to say, but even a simple “thank you” means more than any words.
A new chapter lies ahead. I go into it with gratitude and excitement.
See you soon, Magnitogorsk”
What might Ilya Nabokov’s future look like for the Avalanche?
That’s the ultimate question, in my opinion. Some think that Nabokov could be a future replacement for Trent Miner, while others think that Isak Posch would be the likely goalie out the door.
I think that I would roll with that second option, at least for now, as Nabokov starts to get used to the AHL/North America hockey. With the KHL rinks smaller, that seems to be the biggest change on the ice.
Nabokov will also get some more time to learn English, which is sometimes difficult for people to come to a new country and learn a different language.
As for the Avalanche, their goaltending should be set for several more years, as Mackenzie Blackwood is signed through the 2029-30 season and Scott Wedgewood is signed through to just the end of this season.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the Avs will try to get Wedgewood signed long-term, as he has really shown that he can take on the majority of games throughout a season and perform at a high level. He could, however, decide to try and chase some money in free agency.
Wedgewood is 33 and will turn 34 in August. It remains to be seen how much longer he would want to keep playing. Getting Nabokov to the Eagles right now gives their rookie time to adjust in case he gets an early taste in the AHL. Trent Miner is the veteran who would be called up if that decision had to be made now, but the future should be bright for Nabokov.
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