Avalanche could have a new star goalie much sooner than you think
Photo credit: Maksim Konstantinov / SOPA
Although the prospect pool for the Colorado Avalanche is amongst the worst in the NHL, their 22-year-old Russian goaltender llya Nabokov could become a next franchise starter.
While he isn't ready quite yet, we could see him starting to put pressure on MacKenzie Blackwood for the starting role.
Bright future ahead for Colorado Avalanche prospect Ilya Nabokov.
Nestor Quixtan of Mile High Sticking took a deeper dive on the young goaltender.
"'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." -Quixtan
Nabokov's numbers in the KHL prove his hype in 2023-2024 with Metallurg, as he recorded a 2.15 GAA and 930 SV%. Last year he finished with a 2.22 GAA and a 923 SV%. These are impressive numbers for a young goaltender to put up in arguably the second best hockey league in the world.
Now it's time for Nabokov to prove his skills and translate them over to North America with the Colorado Eagles. His short term goals should be to overtake Scott Wedgewood for the backup role. Following that, it would be time to put the starting role into question.
"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." -Quixtan
If recent Russian goaltenders in the NHL are any indication of what is to come for Nabokov, then the Avalanche have a potential superstar on their hands. Goalies are the most unpredictable when it comes to who works out and who falls short, but the Russians have an extremely impressive track record as of late.
It will be exciting to see how this season goes for Nabokov so we can get a better idea on his future.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 27 | 19 ANSWERS Avalanche could have a new star goalie much sooner than you think Is there a chance Ilya Nabokov make the NHL this season? | ||
| yes | 13 | 68.4 % |
| no | 6 | 31.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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