Avalanche poised to land potential game-breaking superstar in the new year
Photo credit: The DNVR
Colorado Avalanche poised to shake up the NHL in 2026 with the arrival of potential game-breaking superstar prospect forward Mikhail Gulyayev.
Gulyayev remains one of the Avalanche's final highly touted prospects, and it appears a move to North America could be on the horizon in 2026.
Mikhail Gulyayev nears NHL debut a lot sooner than later.
Aarif Deen from Colorado Hockey Now writes that RG Media's Sergey Demidov secured an exclusive with the Avalanche's 2023 first-round pick, offering insight into what lies ahead for the 21-year-old Russian defenseman.
"The Avs could use homegrown talent in their lineup. Not just because they need to eventually get better at developing talent later in the first round and beyond, but because having young contributors in your lineup on lower-cost entry-level deals massively boosts your ability to build a winner." -Deen
Gulyayev appears to be in excellent hands under former NHL coach Guy Boucher in the KHL. The decision to move him to forward to help develop his offensive game is particularly intriguing.
"But in a Jared Bednar system, it's his defensive game that'll ultimately lead to an opportunity. Gulyayev is going to have the odds stacked against him given that he's on the smaller side. If he continues to develop his defensive game and can play a fearless brand of hockey, he'll excel in the NHL. Or at least get a chance to do so." -Deen
However, breaking into the Avalanche's lineup on a permanent basis will always be a challenge for a player like him, particularly with Sam Girard, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews anchoring much of the team's defensive depth.
"Between Gulyayev and goalie Ilya Nabokov, Avs fans have a lot to keep track of in the KHL. Both of them could make their way over as early as next spring, when their KHL seasons come to an end." -Deen
Gulyayev remained non-committal in the RG Media interview regarding those plans, though his contract is set to expire at the end of this season.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 27 | 24 ANSWERS Avalanche poised to land potential game-breaking superstar in the new year Do you think Avalanche prospect Mikhail Gulyayev has a future in the NHL? | ||
| yes | 20 | 83.3 % |
| no | 4 | 16.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
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