Nabokov has slowed down for the first time in years, starting the KHL season with a .889 SV% through 10 games. The team in front of him is in first place in the league and the backup netminder is outpacing him, meaning that after a 49-start season in 2024-25 he is at risk of becoming a “1A” this year rather than a workhorse. His track record has earned him ample runway to figure this out before fantasy owners get concerned, but if he is only viable as a starter and not as a backup or tandem partner, his ability to break into North American pro in the coming years will be affected.

Nabokov has signed a two-year ELC with the Avs. Rumours suggest he will be loaned back to the KHL and cross the pond next spring after the 2025-26 KHL season has completed, but may participate in some North American summer prospect camps. Whenever he does join the team he will have an AHL tandem role waiting for him, possibly more depending on which RFAs are retained this summer. Despite being a top goaltending prospect who just logged another seriously impressive KHL campaign, expect the Avs to take things slow with Nabokov. Goalie prospects take time and pro seasoning – just look around the league at names like Askarov and Wallstedt.

Roughly one month into the KHL season, the 21-year-old has been Metallurg’s undisputed starter, playing 15 of 21 games and rocking a 0.920 SV% with 2 shutouts so far. This ranks 7th in the KHL, which isn’t surprising from the reigning KHL playoffs MVP whose stock has been steeply rising of late. His contract is up after this season so there is a chance he comes to North America following his current campaign. As long as he is getting a starter’s workload the organization may keep him in Russia until the right opportunity to play arises, but given the poor starts of the organization’s current netminders, they may be eager to sign Nabokov to an ELC as soon as they can.

It’s not often that you see a 21-year-old selected in the NHL draft, but it’s not often that you have the opportunity to draft a goaltender of Nabokov’s quality either. After a strong start to the KHL season, Nabokov has shown great in-season development, and his regular season and playoff statistics reflect that. He is an extremely strong skater, able to move effectively and quickly into positions. He consistently takes the correct lines, and is excellent at anticipating play and adjusting his depth based on the situation. His rebound control and tracking in and around the net may need some refining but by all measures this is an excellent professional goaltender available to be drafted. (April Rankings: #80)

June 2024 Nabokov was selected in the second round, 38th overall, by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2024 NHL Draft. Hadi Kalakeche