Montreal Canadiens: Getting To Know Bogdan Konyushkov

The question may sound weird, but on draft night, many people were asking, who is Bogdan Konyushkov? And why did the Montreal Canadiens opt to draft the double overager out of the KHL with the 110th overall pick?

He doesn’t have a large frame (5’11”, 176 lbs), but he is a right-shot defenseman, which given the Habs’ prospect pool, is a need. But his numbers weren’t great in Russia, and the fourth round of the draft, while it isn’t a guarantee that the player will play in the NHL, is generally a place where you select a player with some upside to play professionally for some time. So what stood out to Kent Hughes, Jeff Gorton and co.?

Well, for starters, Konyushkov’s 2022-23 campaign, was his rookie year in the top Russian pro league. He played 64 games and recorded 2-23-25 point totals. The 20-year-old defender was also rookie of the week, earning the honour during the week of Oct. 17.

Despite not playing any games for the MHL’s Chaika Nizhny Novgorod, he was honoured as an MHL playoff champion. He is set to play his sophomore campaign with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, in the KHL. Should he replicate, and hopefully surpass his previous point totals, he could very well find himself in the thick of a battle for a roster spot with Laval in 2024-25.

Up until his u18 season, he wasn’t much of a point producer. And while some defensemen’s effectiveness isn’t measured by their offensive numbers, he has increased his production. I believe Hughes and the Habs management felt that his trajectory was headed in a positive direction, so they opted to take out a flier on the young Russian defender, in hopes that he is just arriving on the scene a bit behind schedule.

Should he produce at a better rate in 2023-24, and continue rounding out his game, he could earn himself a role in North America just ahead of his prime. And without getting too far ahead of myself, if he can establish himself as a mainstay, and continue his progression, he would fit right in with the young core that is being built up in Montreal. There are many variables, that are pretty well just counting on him doing well, but the opportunity is there.

Now, we sit back and wait, maybe Hughes and the scouting staff were right in selecting Konyushkov in the fourth round of the NHL Draft. Smaller, more mobile defenders are much more sought after, especially the right-shot ones.

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