Despite rarely rating as a favorite before the tournament begins, Russia has medaled in each of the past seven WJCs, picking up one gold (2011), three silvers (2012, 2015, 2016) and three bronzes (2013, 2014, 2017). It should come as no surprise if 2018 sees the cycle repeated once more.
Russia, under head coach Valeri Bragin, has picked up a reputation of generally icing older squads. That reputation is somewhat earned and this year’s squad (albeit before final cuts have been made) has an average of 18.75 years of age, younger only than team Canada by around five weeks. On the other hand, the youngest squad, the Swiss, are only around five younger on average. Likely to be of more significance in Buffalo this year is that the Russians will likely be icing one of the tournament’s smaller lineups, ranking ninth in height and eighth in weight (again, before final cuts are made).
Even more pressing from Team Russia this year is that, for the first time since that Gold Medal winning 2011 squad, they are not led by a stud in net, after having enjoyed the services of Andrei Vasilevskiy, Ilya Sorokin, Igor Shestyorkin, and Ilya Samsonov in recent years.
For Russia to return to the podium for an eighth straight year, their chances seemingly hinge on outgunning the opposition. Their roster features a number of players justly feted for their offensive potential, including high profile NHL prospects such as Vitali Abramov (Clm), Andrei Altybarmakyan (Chi), Klim Kostin (StL), Dmitry Sokolov (Min), Mikhail Maltsev (NJ), and German Rubtsov (Phi), who may be joined by a very prominent player under consideration for the 2018 draft in goalscorer extraordinaire Andrei Svechnikov. Of the top five teams, they are both the most likely to finish in third, as well as the most likely to be bumped from the top five by an upstart.
Ten to Watch
Alexei Melnichuk, G
Coming up through the St. Petersburg organization as a youth, Melnichuk had never received any consideration for national play prior to this year. Now, in his last year of eligibility for the junior program, rumors in mid-December make Melnichuk the odds-on favorite to receive the lions-share of the starts in net for Team Russia at the 2018 WJCs. His recent rise to prominence is based on stellar league play over the last season and a half with SKA-Neva St. Petersburg in the VHL, Russia’s version of the AHL. His SV% last year was tops in the league for all under-20 netminders, and is currently second in that subset to Vladislav Sukhachyov, who is on the roster bubble. Melnichuk also held his own in two starts this year with the parent KHL club. Where he really raised his profile though was in the recent CIBC Canada-Russia series. He appeared in five game, putting up a 1.96 GAA and a .926 save percentage, exuding calmness. He lacks prototype size between the pipes, but positions himself well to make the save if he does not need go post-to-post. If the Russian starter is not Melnichuk, look for Sioux Falls (USHL) netminder Mikhail Berdin, a Winnipeg draftee to take over. He is currently third in the USHL in save percentage.
Yegor Zaitsev, D
One of the last picks in last year’s NHL draft, the Devils selected Russian blueliner Zaitsev 205th overall in his second year of draft eligibility after he split his age 18 season mostly between Dynamo Moscow of the KHL and junior side Dynamo Balashikha. A steady, all-situations type, Zaitsev is thought by some as a leading candidate to wear the ‘C’ for Team Russia in Buffalo. He lacks typical NHL size, but plays a rugged game. He is better in his own zone than in the offensive end or carrying the puck. Although lacking in quickness, he moves around relatively well. Despite his lack of offensive production, he has spent time on the power play in domestic play in addition to penalty kill duties. His passing ability and hard shot suggest that there might be more offense in the tank here, but he has never demonstrated that element to his game at any level of play, at least as far back as the U17 level in his homeland. Expect more of a steady minute-muncher on this year’s Russia squad, who, if he ends up on a highlight reel, it will be for executing a big hit.
Dmitri Samorukov, D
Although he often struggled to leave much of an impression with a very young Guelph Storm in his draft eligible season, the tall and lanky Samorukov had a very strong finish to his season with Team Russia at the World U18 championship and represented good value for Edmonton when the Oilers popped him as a third round draft choice. With the Storm better from top to bottom this year, Samorukov, whose father was a high level soccer netminder in Russia in his day, is displaying much more of an offensive game in the OHL. His expected role with Team Russia should be the virtual opposite of how the team will use Zaitsev. Samorukov is very strong with the puck, and is a strong skater. Although not a big hitter, he has the frame to eventually be that player. For now, there are weaknesses to his game away from the puck, but if he can play in Buffalo like he did last year at the WU18s, the Valeri Bragin will take it. The former second overall CHL Import draft pick has a chance to cement his reputation as a big game player in this tournament.
Vitali Abramov, RW/LW
A player who should have been drafted well ahead of 65th overall, where the Columbus Blue Jackets nabbed him after he lit up the QMJHL as a rookie in 2015-16, the undersized Abramov was overlooked again last year, as he was overlooked by Team Russia for the 2017 WJC, despite being well on his way to a league-leading offensive output of 104 points for a mediocre team in Gatineau. He was not far removed from making the Blue Jackets out of camp this year, before being sent back to the Q. He started the season strong again, but with Gatineau rebuilding, Abramov was recently shipped off to Victoriaville. He is a great skater who can beat many high-end defenders wide and is clear silk with the puck, able to pull rabbits out of his stick thanks to his dexterous hands and seldom-matched creativity. He will always be on the small side, but that has never yet held him back and he has plenty of experience killing penalties. There is little to suggest that he will be a liability in his own zone. He is the early favorite to be Russia’s primary option for creating offense. If he succeeds in Buffalo, Russia will be fine.
CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I - NOVEMBER 14: CIBC Canada Russia Series game #5 between Team Russia and Team QMJHL on November 14, 2017, at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown, P.E.I.(Photo by Vincent Ethier/QMJHL Media)
Andrei Altybarmakyan, RW
When the Blackhawks selected Altybarmakyan in the third round last summer, more than a few eyebrows were raised. A fantastic offensive producer in the Russian junior leagues, the undersized winger gained some international prominence during a very strong performance at this year’s Canada-Russia series. For one thing, he put to bed most concerns about his size, as he played a game much bigger than his 5-11”, 183 pound listing. He plays a power forward game with a wide stance that helps hi get into position to unleash a very quick wrist shot. He does not play a fancy game, but his hands are quick enough in tight areas. Back in Russia, he has struggled to impose his game at the KHL level (no points in 13 games for SKA St. Petersburg), but has shown the ability to play with adults, having already scored seven times in 20 games with SKA’s VHL farm team. Known as Barmen (his name is a mouthful even for native Russians), his aggressive style of game should serve him well on all sides of the puck. Expected to play a 200 foot game as part of a versatile middle six.
Klim Kostin
Klim Kostin, C/LW
A big player with a mature power game, Kostin has flown a little bit under the radar in the AHL as an 18 year old with San Antonio. On the other hand, as one of only three skaters under the age of 19 playing in the AHL, the fact that he is more than holding his own with the Rampage, with 11 points in his first 26 games, speaks volumes. The numbers look even better after realizing that only six of his teammates are currently outscoring him. He is a smooth skater who has a good shot, but prefers to set up his teammates. Kostin has fantastic vision and is capable of a string of pretty passes. He reads the opposition very well and his reactions show plus hockey IQ within. He seems fully recovered from the injuries that kept him off the ice for much of his draft year. As one of the younger players projected to make the Russian WJC roster, he may be given a bottom six role to start, even though he has one of the highest career upsides among his projected teammates. The tournament represents a great opportunity for the St. Louis to re-establish his place in the hockey prospect world.
Mikhail Maltsev, LW
Drafted by New Jersey in the fourth round in 2016, Maltsev has spent the last season and a half getting acclimated to the professional game, spending most of his time in the VHL with SKA-Neva St. Petersburg, growing more and more comfortable asserting himself on the offensive side of the rink. Always an aggressive player away from the puck, he uses his plus frame to good effect. Coupled with an active stick and good vision, he should be a primary call for coach Bragin for key defensive zone faceoffs. He is a strong skater for his size and demonstrates intriguing playmaking traits once he gets the puck moving in the right direction. Listed as a winger, he nonetheless has earned a reputation as a faceoff wizard and may play more often as a pivot for Russia. Although unlikely to threaten for the team lead in scoring, his ability and willingness to play in all situations bodes well for his chances to lead the team’s forwards in ice time, if nothing else. His North American style game should also work well in the smaller rinks in Buffalo, and once the tournament reaches the elimination matches, where Russia will likely get the chance to play one of Canada of the USA.
German Rubtsov, C
At least until Svechnikov is drafted next June, Rubtsov holds the distinction as the highest drafted player on the Russian squad at this year’s WJC, having been selected 22nd overall by Philadelphia in 2016. He got into five games at last year’s tournament, but failed to register a single point before suffering a scary looking facial fracture that limited him to 16 games over the rest of the season. In fact, Rubtsov used the tournament last year to springboard his career from the Russian leagues over to North America, staying in Quebec to play for Chicoutimi. Early this season, the Sagueneens dealt the rangy center to Acadie-Bathurst and he has been a point-per-game player for both squads. A dynamic skater and puck handler, he seems to be lacking only some consistency (perhaps a side effect of being moved from team to team with some frequency) to see his game truly take off. The type of player who always seems to have the puck on his stick, he is more of a playmaker than a goal scorer. While he has a good pro-looking frame, he does not play a physical game. Likely to play a top six, offense-first role for Team Russia in Buffalo.
Dmitry Sokolov, RW/C
One of the best pure goalscorers in the OHL since his debut with the Sudbury Wolves in the 2016-17 season, Sokolov’s being named to the 2018 Russian WJC squad offers some late redemption for a player whose commitment to defense has long been derided. In fact, Sokolov was kept out of the national picture since contributing one point per game for Russia in the WU18 in 2015 as an underager. 78 goals in two OHL seasons was not enough to overcome the persistent questions about his fitness level and his commitment to the game away from the puck. In general the only questions about his defensive game in the past have been whether he was merely disinterested in his own zone, or acutely incapable. As for his fitness level, any player measuring below six feet but tipping the scales at upwards of 220 pounds will always face sceptics. Finally, though, with continued production at the OHL level, including a nine points in six games production for the Wolves in last season’s playoffs, as well as two points in the two games of the OHL portion of the Canada-Russia series, and Sokolov will get to audition for an ELC on the biggest amateur stage there is.
SPISSKA NOVA VES, SLOVAKIA - APRIL 13: Russia's Andrei Svechnikov #14 celebrates at the bench with teammates after a third period goal against Sweden during preliminary round action at the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Andrei Svechnikov, RW
Although Team Russia does not often play draft eligible players at the WJC, Svechnikov would not be the first, as Ivan Provorov also played a pivotal role in a Silver Medal winning side in 2015. Svechnikov, whose older brother Yevgeni was a first round pick of Detroit in 2015, is both a better prospect than his sibling, and likely Provorov as well – we project him to go second in the 2018 draft. He is a pure goal scorer. Although he has missed a big chunk of the first half to a hand injury, a recent hat trick in league play should not allow us to presume that there is any rust in his game. Averaging a Colts’-high four shots on net per game, scoring at nearly a goal per game pace, he has mostly been lined up with Team Russia hopeful Alexei Lipanov. Valeri Bragin would do well to keep the prolific duo together for this tournament. Last year, as one of the youngest players in the USHL, with Muskegon, Svechnikov finished sixth in league scoring, with 29 goals and 58 points in 48 games – the second best U17 scorer in the league finished with 27 points. This here is a superstar in the making.
Sleeper
Mikhail Berdin, G
Currently sitting in third place in save percentage among USHL netminders, Berdin was just as good last year and more than held his own whenever he has been called upon to represent Russia on the international stage. One of the few North American based goalies outside of the American or Canadian rosters at this WJC, there is speculation among Russian reporters whether he will be named the starter ahead of the above-profiled Melnichuk. Tall and lanky and with very impressive athleticism, the Winnipeg Jets prospect has great recovery ability and got to show off earlier this season in a very different manner when he scored an empty net goal. He has not yet committed to any level of play beyond this season, so he may be playing for a professional contract at this tournament.
