Prospect Info: Nikita Novikov, D (188th overall, 2021)

[joshjull]

His agency status on EP changed a while back, I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

Who did he switch to? I just assume every Russian is with Milstein

 

[Chainshot]

Who did he switch to? I just assume every Russian is with Milstein

Strangely, he went from having one listed to no longer having one shown.

 

[joshjull]

Strangely, he went from having one listed to no longer having one shown.

That is odd.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

Love it! Get him to Roch! Is there any way he can join them now?

 

[Ace]

I think he has a real chance to be a player.

 

[KiwiGriff]

I think he has a real chance to be a player.

I’m pretty sure he’s a player already.

 

[Ace]

IIRC there was a decent amount of talk around the draft that he went so late because there was genuine concern over ever coming to North America. He followed that by earning a lot of trust with his KHL team and it was clear they wanted him to stay. When news came out he turned down a deal there it was exciting. Getting him signed already (along with Neuchev and Kisakov) is a big deal for our continued efforts to mine Russia for players. The plan to attack the region multiple times instead of throwing a dart here and there is working. We’re going to build a rep as a place Russians will come. That can help in UFA for players already in the league as well as signing picks. Lyubushkin obviously already came via the former.

 

[Gabrielor]

Huge get. Big need. A lot of potential.

I'm extremely happy.

 

[CaliSabresfan24]

I think he has a real chance to be a player.

Being a bottom pair PKer doesn't seem out of reach to me

 

[Chainshot]

 

[Fjordy]

Good news

 

[Chainshot]

Love it! Get him to Roch! Is there any way he can join them now?

Have to figure not without a visa. And that takes time.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

IIRC there was a decent amount of talk around the draft that he went so late because there was genuine concern over ever coming to North America. He followed that by earning a lot of trust with his KHL team and it was clear they wanted him to stay. When news came out he turned down a deal there it was exciting. Getting him signed already (along with Neuchev and Kisakov) is a big deal for our continued efforts to mine Russia for players. The plan to attack the region multiple times instead of throwing a dart here and there is working. We’re going to build a rep as a place Russians will come. That can help in UFA for players already in the league as well as signing picks. Lyubushkin obviously already came via the former.

It’ll be perfect when we trade up into the top 7ish for Michkov. Love this signing. He’s gonna be an NHL player.

 

[HOOats]

What's the precedent for a defender playing 94 KHL games before his 20th birthday? Not many points so the NHLe probably won't show much, but that's an impressive resumé.

Wonder if Rochester will have a Russian Night next year with altered jerseys and special concession/beverage options.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

What's the precedent for a defender playing 94 KHL games before his 20th birthday? Not many points so the NHLe probably won't show much, but that's an impressive resumé.

Wonder if Rochester will have a Russian Night next year with altered jerseys and special concession/beverage options.

 

[PatLaFontaineASMR]

What's the precedent for a defender playing 94 KHL games before his 20th birthday? Not many points so the NHLe probably won't show much, but that's an impressive resumé.

Wonder if Rochester will have a Russian Night next year with altered jerseys and special concession/beverage options.

On QuantHockey he has the most KHL games played in a season as a 19 year old d man.

Point wise compared to other NHLers

Dmitry Orlov 45 games 12 points
Alex Romanov 43 games 7 points
Nikita Novikov 62 games 5 points
Nikita Zaitsev 39 games 2 points
Ilya Lyubushkin 32 games 2 points

 

[Chainshot]

Using EP's tool - he's fourth all time in games played by a teenager in the KHL:

#	Player	GP	G	A	TP
1​	Zakhar Arzamastsev (D)	113​	4​	9​	13​
2​	Dmitri Orlov (D)	101​	7​	14​	21​
3​	Shakir Mukhamadullin (D)	100​	6​	12​	18​
4​	Nikita Novikov (D)	94​	3​	6​	9​
5​	Vadim Kudako (D)	91​	0​	2​	2​
6​	Andrei Mironov (D)	86​	3​	12​	15​
7​	Alexander Romanov (D)	86​	1​	10​	11​
8​	Alexander Shchemerov (D)	84​	1​	6​	7​
9​	Nikita Zaitsev (D)	79​	0​	3​	3​
10​	Yegor Voronkov (D)	78​	0​	4​	4​

 

[Diaspora]

What's the precedent for a defender playing 94 KHL games before his 20th birthday? Not many points so the NHLe probably won't show much, but that's an impressive resumé.

Wonder if Rochester will have a Russian Night next year with altered jerseys and special concession/beverage options.

Borscht, vodka and tears? Count me in!

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Borscht, vodka and tears? Count me in!

Just as long as the Gazpacho doesn’t find out

 

[Old Navy Goat]

Seems like Rochester will need to have a Nikita Kolov bobblehead night. Bring in the Russian nightmare

 

[tsujimoto74]

Excited to see what this kid can do in Rochester next year. I'm not exactly sure what to make of his time in the KHL other than it's impressive that he was trusted to play so many games/minutes at as young an age as he was.

 

[Dingo44]

Corey Pronman's NHL Pipeline Rankings: No. 3 Sabres have built a formidable system

Ranking the top prospects and under-23 players in the organization. Plus, what to expect of every player.

theathletic.com

Nikita Novikov, D

7/25/2003 | 6-foot-3 | 196 pounds | Shoots left

Drafted: No. 188 in 2021

Analysis: Novikov is a tall defenseman with strong hockey sense who may not be a major offensive contributor but projects to be able to move pucks well versus men. His skating is heavy and the one major issue in his toolkit.

 

[Chainshot]

The possibility here remains delicious. If they could get a 3rd pairing guy out of a pick at 188OA? Please and thank you.

 

[Matt Ress]

The possibility here is remains delicious. If they could get a 3rd pairing guy out of a pick at 188OA? Please and thank you.

You already know I love the guy. He uses his frame and stick pretty well and tightens up gaps but also has a strong tendency to take himself out of plays. If he can adopt better professional decision making he can become a lot more consistent.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

You’re aiming to low: Granto flush with confidence after shifting Thompson to center leverages Novikov’s height and uses as the starting goalie.

Wildly successful he out duels Levi for the job, wins the Veznia and Montreal finally gets to trade for Devon.