The Carolina Hurricanes have built a reputation for scouting and developing Russian talent, a trend that has paid dividends in the KHL, where two of their top prospects, defenseman Alexander Nikishin and forward Nikita Artamonov, are dominating. The Hurricanes have invested heavily in Russian players, drafting the most Russians in the NHL over the last five years, with 42% of their draft picks allocated to Russian talent. Both Nikishin and Artamonov exemplify the payoff of that strategy, excelling in one of the most competitive leagues outside the NHL.
Nikishin, a towering defenseman for SKA St. Petersburg, was selected in the 3rd round of the 2020 NHL Draft. Since breaking into the KHL as an 18-year-old, he’s been making waves as one of the top blueliners in the league. He has continued to grow in his defensive game, regularly being considered one of the most reliable players on the ice for SKA. His imposing presence and leadership on the blue line make him a key figure in their back-end strategy.
Meanwhile, Artamonov, selected 50th overall in the 2024 NHL Draft, has emerged as one of the KHL's most electrifying young forwards. Since joining Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, he has transformed into a dynamic offensive force.
Artamonov's development has been rapid, turning heads with his creativity, speed, and hockey sense. His ability to adjust his game and adapt to new tactics has allowed him to thrive in a very competitive league, and his confidence has grown with each game he plays.
"I created a lot of chances last season too, but for some reason, I wasn't able to finish them. Now I'm starting to convert my shots," Artamonov explained to RG. "After the New Year, I spent more time in the shooting zone and changed my technique. I wasn’t just training in sneakers; I used a plank to simulate the feeling of skating."
The hard work has paid off, as Artamonov leads Torpedo in scoring and was named KHL's Forward of the Week in October. His relentless determination to maintain this level of play has not gone unnoticed by the Hurricanes’ management.
This attention from the Hurricanes management only adds to the excitement surrounding Artamonov’s future with the team. The franchise has made it clear that they see his potential and are dedicated to helping him take his game to the next level.
Developing as Stars in the KHL
While Artamonov thrives up front, Nikishin continues to anchor SKA St. Petersburg's blue line. At 23, Nikishin is already regarded as the best Russian defenseman in the KHL and was named KHL Defenseman of the Month for the sixth time in October. Despite a slight dip in offensive production this season, Nikishin remains focused on improving all aspects of his game.
"In my first season with SKA, I scored a lot of points, in the second season as well, and now the third is underway. I have to push through it," Nikishin said to RG. "Just chasing points isn’t the answer—it would only work to my detriment. I try to help the team defensively, and, when possible, offensively. I'm not obsessed with points. It is what it is."
Nikishin’s role at SKA has evolved with the arrival of former Hurricanes defenseman Tony DeAngelo, adding more balance to the team’s defensive pairings. DeAngelo’s influence has been evident in Nikishin’s growth as a complete player, with the younger defenseman learning valuable lessons in both defensive positioning and puck-moving from the experienced NHL veteran.
"When we played together, it felt like we could hold onto the puck on the blue line for a long time and create something," Nikishin said. "It wasn’t that we didn’t mesh, they just decided to split us up for balance. Tony plays great and has incredible vision on the ice. What he does offensively is incredible. I watch him closely."
Nikishin’s ability to adapt to different defensive pairings has allowed him to grow even further, becoming a versatile and reliable presence on the ice. His maturity and commitment to development have made him one of the most highly regarded prospects in the KHL.
Meanwhile, Artamonov credits his rapid development to the influence of legendary coach Igor Larionov, who leads Torpedo.
"When I was drafted, Igor Larionov congratulated me and said, 'This is a good organization; they love Russians.' He’s never strict with anyone. He just knows how to find the right words, and people immediately think about it. There’s no negativity, only an effort to make the player better," Artamonov shared.
Larionov’s trust in younger players has allowed Artamonov to grow his offensive creativity while improving defensively.
"We still encourage creativity in Torpedo, but we’ve started paying more attention to defense. Without defense, nothing works," Artamonov explained. "I feel that I’ve improved a lot defensively."
Despite their successes, both players faced challenges along the way. Artamonov endured a tough start to the season, failing to register points in his first three games.
"It was a difficult psychological moment," Artamonov admitted. "But when they started putting me in as the 13th forward, Larionov spoke to me. My parents were in touch with me constantly. Those conversations helped me start looking for the reason in myself, not in others. When I was given a chance, I grabbed it."
Dreaming Of The Future
Both prospects have drawn comparisons to NHL stars. Artamonov, often likened to Kirill Kaprizov, downplays the comparison while admitting he admires the Minnesota Wild forward.
"I’m still far from Kirill; I have a lot of work ahead of me. It would be great if my career turns out like his," Artamonov said.
Artamonov’s admiration doesn’t stop at Kaprizov. He also praised Carolina’s Martin Necas and frequently follows the Hurricanes, especially now that he has a connection to the team.
"I said last year that [Necas is] an amazing player. He played really well for the Czech National team at the World Championship. He has a fantastic shot and great vision," Artamonov said.
Nikishin, on the other hand, remains humble despite being often labeled as one of the best NHL prospects playing outside of North America.
"I know I'm not the greatest European NHL prospect," Nikishin said.
"We have a young guy on the team, but I won’t mention his name, or he’ll read this," he added with a laugh, likely referring to Montreal Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov.
Nikishin’s humility in the face of such high praise reflects his commitment to continuous improvement. He remains focused on his growth as a player, understanding that success comes with both consistency and hard work.
Toughest Opponent in the KHL
Artamonov mentioned that the hardest opponent to play against in the KHL is the league leader, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.
"It’s impossible to play against them. I think even the fans fall asleep in the stands. You just battle in one corner, then another. When we played against them at home, in the third period, they passed the puck from one corner to another four times, throwing it along the boards for about 30 seconds. I understand that every team has its own approach. I’m not criticizing anyone, Lokomotiv has lost only five or six games this season. But it’s very hard to play against them. Igor Nikitin has been with the team for a long time, and he’s done a great job teaching his players how to play this type of hockey."
Artamonov also admitted that in his first KHL season, he faced increased attention, which was difficult to deal with.
"When you start reading everything, it’s hard to ignore, and it stays in your head. After the New Year, I realized it’s better not to look at anything and just play. Otherwise, it pulls you in. It’s a tough moment in every player’s career. You just need to let it go. There was both criticism and overpraise. Some people wrote to me on social media, 'I bet money on you, and you let me down.' I blocked those people immediately."
With their blend of skill, determination, and the guidance of coaches like Larionov, Nikishin and Artamonov are solidifying their places as elite prospects. Both players are on the cusp of breaking into the NHL, and with their continued progress, the Hurricanes’ future is looking bright. Their success in the KHL is just a taste of what’s to come when they eventually make their mark in North America.
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Daria Tuboltseva
