The Colorado Avalanche are heading into that time in the offseason where taking stock of the prospect pool is a worthwhile exercise. My colleague Graham Tiedtke did a deep dive into the Avalanche’s top five prospects. It’s an interesting read and worth checking out.
Now, I’d like to focus on one prospect in particular: Ilya Nabokov. The 22-year-old Russian goalie is a tantalizing prospect to consider. He was a solid prospect in the KHL. He was good enough for the Avalanche to take in the second-round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
I’d like to pause here for a second. Goalies don’t usually get drafted this high. Generally speaking goalies get claimed in the later rounds. So, when a goalie goes in the second round, not to mention the first, it’s because they’re good, really good.
Nabokov falls into that category. He’s a good netminder. His numbers in Russia are impressive. In 43 games during the 2023-24 season with the Metallurg Magnitogorsk, Nabokov registered a 2.15 GAA and a .930 SV%. Last season, he hit 49 games, with a 2.22 GAA and a .923 SV%.
At first glance, there could be a concerning situation here. The increased workload could have caused the dip in numbers. Perhaps the team in front of him wasn’t as good as the year. Regardless of the specific circumstances, the numbers are encouraging.
Of course, KHL numbers don’t always directly correlate to NHL numbers. But they’re a good yardstick. If Nabokov could translate that play to the NHL, he has the makings of being the next great Russian goalie to hit the NHL.
Colorado Avalanche could turn to Nabokov sooner rather than later
As it stands, the Colorado Avalanche’s guy is MacKenzie Blackwood. He’s got a five-year contract extension in place. If his play from last season is any indication, Blackwood could have a bang-up year.
That being said, Scott Wedgewood, Blackwood’s backup, will be entering the final year of his current deal. In my estimation, the Avalanche extend Wedgewood. He’s too good to let walk for nothing next summer.
But that’s where Nabokov could push the envelope. Nabokov will be on loan with the Colorado Eagles in the AHL. That situation means that Nabokov will have a chance to prove he can play in North America.
A good season means Nabokov stays. But if he struggles, Nabokov could head back to Russia for more seasoning. But he won’t. The Avalanche have done their homework on Nabokov. So, it’s unlikely he’ll bomb. While he may need time to transition, that’s why he’s starting with the Eagles.
If everything goes according to plan, Nabokov could push for a job as soon as next season. It’s unlikely the Avalanche roll with a rookie backup as they look to contend for a Stanley Cup. But then again, NHL history is filled with stories about rookie goalies taking their teams all the way to the promised land.
Fortunately, that’s not the Avalanche’s case. But fans could get a Blackwood-Nabokov tandem in the near future. It’s quite the appealing prospect. Perhaps in three or four years, we could see Nabokov push Blackwood for the full-time starting role.