The KHL is loaded with U-23 studs

The KHL has produced many very talented Russian players over the years for the NHL, and don’t look now, but there are some very talented players on their way.

In watching Ivan Demidov and Bogdan Konyushkov’s games, I have seen a lot of young Russian players. Even on SKA St. Petersburg there are a few great U-23 players. 

Because the KHL has steadily produced many players that have developed into stars in the NHL, it felt like an article was warranted. 

We need to talk about some of the great U-23 players who will be coming through to North America over the next few years. 

And without further adieu, let’s dive into the 10 U-23 Russian players that I think will be established NHL players before 2030.

The KHL guys

I think it is important to keep these players in mind, that way when they arrive it isn't so surprising. This will give teams a leg up, if they know these guys are on their way - both as trade bait, and roster construction. You won't spend if you know you have a resource in the system.

These 10 players will be impactful in the next five years in the NHL. These are the 10 best players 23 years old and under in the KHL. Breaking it down to just 10, means there may be certain guys left out that not everybody will agree with.

I won't include Ivan Demidov's breakdown and such on the list, but he is my number one guy. So, having said that, I will discuss nine players from the KHL. All 23 and under, who have potential to play in the NHL over the next five years.

Arseni Gritsyuk

Arseni Gritsyuk is a teammate of Demidov's with SKA St. Petersburg, and though he missed time, upon his return he has been electric.

Gritsyuk, 24, is a New Jersey Devils prospect, drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 draft. His birthday was March 15, and he was born in 2001, so he made the cut.

In 47 games with SKA, Gritsyuk has posted 17-25-42, and his KHL contract expires this season.

Alexander Nikishin

Alexander Nikishin is also a teammate of Demidov's, and the captain of their KHL squad SKA St. Petersburg.

Carolina's top defensive prospect is on the cusp of breaking into the NHL and given all the tools he possesses, I expect he will develop into a mainstay swiftly.

Nikishin, 23, is a six-foot-four, 216-pound left-shot defender, drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the third round of the 2020 draft 69th overall.

Nikita Artamonov

Nikita Artamonov is currently holding the U-20 goals record, surpassing Kirill Kaprizov's 20 goals. Artamonov leapfrogged Demidov (19) and is on pace to finish with 23 goals.

A teammate with Konyushkov with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, Artamonov is also a Carolina Hurricanes prospect selected in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft 50th overall.

In 61 games, the 19-year-old has 22-17-39, and the five-foot-eleven, 192-pound left-shot playmaker has proven that his vision, and brain fuel a fantastic toolkit of shots, not just passes.

Maxim Beryozkin

Maxim Beryozkin has racked up quite the amount of games played in the KHL, and while that doesn't always translate to the NHL, the experience mustn't go unnoticed.

Beryozkin, 23, is a six-foot-four, 212-pound right-shot winger, who has been one of the top point producers for his KHL club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

The Edmonton Oilers 2020 fifth-round (138th overall) selection, has 14-26-40 through 63 KHL games this season.

Dmitri Buchelnikov

Dmitri Buchelnikov, 21, is a Detroit Red Wings second-round selection (52nd overall) from the 2022 NHL Draft.

Buchelnikov is a five-foot-ten, 170-pound right-shot left winger, playing for Vityaz Moscow Region.

This season, in 63 games, Buchelnikov has 15-38-53, and his KHL contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Vadim Moroz

Vadim Moroz, 21, is from Minsk, Belarus, and the Utah Hockey Club's 2023 third-round pick (88th overall) is thriving with Dinamo Minsk.

Moroz is a six-foot-two, 183-pound right-shit winger, capable of playing either side of his centre, which he has down well with Minsk.

To me, Moroz could thrive as a power forward-type because of his big, strong frame and his ability to extend plays, and hold off opponents - which has led him to 25-17-42 in 63 games this season.

Prokhor Polptaov

Prokhor Poltapov is a Buffalo Sabres prospect, drafted in the second round 33 overall of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Polptaov, 22, is a six-foot, 176-pound winger, capable of playing on the left side and right side, though he is a left-shot.

In 63 games with CSKA Moskva, Poltapov has posted 16-23-39, all results of his high motor, and constantly moving his feet.

Roman Kantserov

Roman Kantserov, 20, is a selection of the Chicago Blackhawks 44th overall in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Kantserov, a five-foot-nine, 176-pound left-shot winger playing for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, the same team that Evgeni Malkin got his start with, before going onto a fantastic career with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Contractually obligated to the KHL until the end of next season, Kantserov has been pretty good this season, to the tune of 13-22-35 in 45 games.

Daniil Gutik

Daniil Gutik is an undrafted 23-year-old right-shot winger, who plays for Admiral Vladivostok.

Gutik is six-foot-three, 190 lbs, and his game is predicated on his great vision and elite puckhandling skills - allowing him to weave through defences, while his head is always up scanning for the next play - I expect that he will have many suitors if he decides to head to North America when his contract expires after the 2025-26 season.

These guys are hoping to follow the path paved by the current NHLers, who had success in the KHL, before making the move to North America.

Former KHLers in the NHL 

If you watch the NHL, certain players come to mind when discussing the current stars in the league.

For Russia, those stars got their start in Russia, carving up the ice for their respective KHL clubs, where they impressed their home country's fanbases.

But that didn't stop after they left Russia, to play in the epitome of hockey, the NHL. Let's dive into the guys who are in the NHL, giving the future of Russian hockey role models to look up to. These guys are superstars, and they are fantastic teammates, who add an elite element to their squads.

I would argue that these guys all watched Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Ilya Kovalchuk breaking into the league, and like Pavel Datsyuk and Sergei Zubov before them, they have inspired future Russian stars to pursue their NHL dreams.

Nikita Kucherov, Artemi Panarin, Kirill Kaprizov

I get that there isn't a huge gap between No. 8, No. 71 and No. 17, but they certainly set a high standard for every other countrymen in the NHL. Kucherov, Panarin and Kaprizov have taken the torch. Though Ovie, and Geno aren't quite finished with their NHL careers yet.

I'll start right at the top with Nikita Kucherov, who you immediately think of when discussing the juggernaut Tampa Bay Lightning offence. The Canadiens know it all too well, and Kucherov, who had some pleasantries for the Habs, was dominant then, and that hasn't changed. Kucherov is dynamic in every sense - his vision, anticipation and deceptiveness all drive an elite goalscorer and playmaker wrapped into a speedy, agile, cerebral five-foot-eleven, 181-pound frame.

Kucherov - The Tampa Bay Lightining drafted Kucherov in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft, 58th overall. Kucherov, 31, has been the key piece in coach Jon Cooper's offense. Over 12 season and 787 games, Kucherov sits 44 points shy of 1,000 (348 goals, 618 assists) and two Stanley Cups.

Then there is Artemi Panarin, who came to the NHL in 2015 from Russia, lining up a great Calder Trophy battle between 'The Breadman' and McJesus (Connor McDavid, if you don't know). Panarin was a revelation, riding shotgun with Patrick Kane, powering an elite duo for the Chicago Blackhawks. Now with the New York Rangers, the right-shot Russian winger signed a lucrative seven-year contract worth $81,499,999, and he has been worth every penny - scoring 90-plus points in four out of five seasons in New York, and he is on pace for another 90-point season.

Panarin - Undrafted KHL star, who signed a contract with the Blackhawks ahead of the 2015-16 season, making him Calder Trophy eligible - he won it over Connor McDavid, whose rookie year was cut short by an injury.

Then there is Kirill Kaprizov, who came to North America more recently than Kucherov and Panarin, but he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as No. 86 and No. 10. Minnesota's offence runs through Kaprizov, and that has suited the five-foot-ten winger just fine.

Kaprizov - Drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL Draft (135th overall) by the Minnesota Wild, Kaprizov's KHL deal expired after the 2019-20 season, and he decided to sign his entry-level deal. Now in his fifth season, the 27-year-old has never posted fewer than 75 points in a full season, including a 108-point, and 96-point season in 2021-22 and 2023-24.

These guys are pretty fantastic talents, and they have inspired current NHL players to make the trip to North America and pursue their NHL dreams.