Shocking development emerges surrounding Avalanche rising star
Photo credit: Elite Prospects
An unexpected and significant development has recently come to light concerning Ivan Yunin, the rising star goaltender for the Colorado Avalanche.
With the 137th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NHL Draft, the Avalanche chose Yunin, an under-the-radar goaltender from Russia.
Avalanche Ivan Yunin prospect rocked with big update.
Ryan O'Hara from Mile High Hockey writes that at just 18 years old, Yunin still has plenty of runway ahead of his development. With proper guidance, he has the potential to become a reliable depth option in the Avalanche system.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 196 pounds, he has the physical tools teams look for in a young goaltender. His junior resume is promising and his fundamentals are strong, but he currently lacks meaningful experience in top-tier professional leagues, a key hurdle that could shape his long-term trajectory.
In the 2022-23 season, Yunin turned heads with an outstanding .952 save percentage across 20 games for Russia's U18 national team. His calm demeanour in the crease stood out, complemented by excellent rebound control, strong positioning, and impressive puck-tracking skills that were well ahead of his age group, traits that quickly made him a player to watch among scouts.
"Consistency, however, remains an area of concern. Across 16 games with Omskie Krylia in the VHL-Russia's second‑tier professional circuit-Yunin managed only an .881 save percentage, a figure that underscores the growing pains inherent in translating junior dominance to the demands of the pro game. The other fact is Yunin quickly rose to that level, as he only played in eight games at the MHL level and six the year prior." -O'Hara
Realistically, Yunin faces an uphill battle to reach the NHL. While the door isn't completely closed, the odds are slim when evaluated through an objective lens. Making the leap is possible, but far from likely at this stage in his development.
"Still, for the Avs, selecting Yunin represents a textbook example of a low-risk, high-upside proposition. If he blossoms into a high-caliber goaltender, the organization stands to benefit significantly without having invested substantial capital. If not, the cost of the gamble remains minimal." -O'Hara
For now, Yunin's path projects as a long-term development gamble, one with limited upside and low probability of yielding high-end NHL results.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 30 | 8 ANSWERS Shocking development emerges surrounding Avalanche rising star Do you think Avalanche goalie prospect Ivan Yunin has a future in the NHL? | ||
| yes | 7 | 87.5 % |
| no | 1 | 12.5 % |
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