Detroit Hockey Now concludes its survey of the Red Wings’ top prospects with one Russian defenseman Nikita Tyurin this morning. Tyurin is only 19, and the 6’1,” 190-pound defenseman is currently playing for Khimik Voskresensk in the VHL, the Russian equivalent to the AHL.
As Bob Duff notes, Tyurin has a tremendous skill set, but playing in Russia’s version of the AHL is not ideal for him in terms of professional evolution:
Three Reasons Why Tyurin Will Play in the NHL
- He’s an outstanding puck mover. NHL teams are seeking mobile defenders, and Tyurin certainly fits that bill.
- His first pass is extremely accurate. That’s another asset for a defenseman, perhaps the least talked-about in terms of importance.
- Tyurin’s hockey sense is off the charts. He reads the game well, and reacts quickly to close gaps.
What May Hold Him Back
Tyurin doesn’t get a lot of love in the Russian media. When the top teenage players in the country are profiled, it’s rare that he gets any notice.
This season, Tyurin is playing for Khimik in the VHL, the Russian second division. While it’s true he’s still only 19, the fact that Tyurin still hasn’t cracked Spartak’s KHL roster is a bit worrisome. Top Russian prospects now in the NHL like Ivan Demidov and Matvei Michkov were KHL regulars by the time they turned 18.
Continued; everybody loves Tyurin’s skill set. They just wonder whether it translates to an NHL pedigree.
