Nikita Tryamkin, the Canucks massive new Russian defenceman, checks in as the fifth-ranked prospect in our consensus rankings.

Canucks fans got to see the defenceman up close in Vancouver for 13 games last season after his KHL campaign concluded and the excitement was palatable. There were flashes of what he could become for the Canucks. A big, mobile defenceman who isn’t afraid to take the body and make life difficult for opponents.

Last season, Tryamkin was ranked as the 19th best prospect and has now ranked 5th. That is an impressive jump up. This may be because everyone has seen Tryamkin now, and knows what his potential could be.

Let’s take a step back and look at what the Yekaterinburg native brings to the table.

We’ll get started with a scouting report from Elite Prospects:

A colossal defensive defenceman that skates well and understands both sides of the puck. Displays fluid four-way skating ability and backchecks hard. Very proactive stick and adheres to the physical side of the game. Finds lanes and tracks the puck well in his own end, and will pressure the opposition to make hastier decisions. Great vision and willingness to move the puck up-ice quickly. Possesses a very strong shot and natural puck skills. Very good positionally in the offensive end and knows how to hem the opponents in. Excellent board play and always looks to keep opponents to the outside

Now, we’ve all seen him in the NHL, and we all saw that teasing potential. He brings something to the table that the Canucks just don’t have, and in fairness, not many teams have. He skates very well for his size, uses that size effectively to defend and has a booming shot. That physical edge was quite prevalent throughout his 13 games with the Canucks, with the most memorable being the game against the Anaheim Ducks on April 1:

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Objectively looking at Tryamkin’s time with the Canucks last season, it’s fair to say that he handled himself okay. There were moments where he showed he could be a physical force and would impose that when needed. But at times, you could see he was apprehensive with the puck, and went for the simple play of glass and out. Which resulted in turnovers and the Canucks being stuck in their own zone.

There is still some room for growth in the offensive and puck moving sides of his game, and that is something he will need to round out if he is to become a top four defenceman in the NHL. He did show some of that offensive flair in the KHL earlier last season:

#Canucks prospect Nikita Tryamkin’s (#88) assist from today (player who walks the line and shoots) pic.twitter.com/Q0h7ltaLcg — Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) October 6, 2015

Tryamkin had 6 points during the 2014-15 season in the KHL and then finished the 2015-16 KHL season with 4 goals and 7 assists.

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He will just need to try and develop that side of the game in the NHL – which I think is something that will naturally develop with more games and more coaching in the league. As I mentioned above, he does have a very hard shot, he will just need to learn how to use it.

Nikita Tryamkin with his first NHL goal! #Canucks pic.twitter.com/uR4RvpUX9z — Ryan Biech (@ryanbiech) April 8, 2016

If we use pGPS to evaluate Nikita Tryamkin, a mere 5.0% went onto being NHL regulars. There were 20 comparable players, with one of them becoming an NHL regular. The number is disappointing, but is explained Tryamkin didn’t put up big offensive numbers in the KHL or NHL last season, and is a rare physical specimen. As always, you need to use the eye test with this type of number to come to a conclusion and my initial reaction is that Tryamkin would be more likely be that 5% than the 95%.

Based on the comments of GM Jim Benning over the summer, it appears that Philip Larsen will be given the third pairing spot, with the left side being open to competition.

Given his contract status, it should be no surprise for Tryamkin to spend the season in the NHL. He does currently have an ‘AHL out clause’ which means if he so chooses, he could return to the KHL instead of the AHL. We just have to find out if he will be starting the season in the press box.



We will just have to see if Tryamkin can beat out players like Luca Sbisa, Andrey Pedan and Alex Biega for that spot on opening night. If I was a betting man, before camp even begins it’s down to Tryamkin or Sbisa for it.

Given Tryamkin’s age when signing his ELC, he was limited to a two-year contract, which because he appeared in those games to end the year, started last season. So that means that Tryamkin is an RFA at the conclusion of this campaign.

He will be in a battle to get ice time to start the season, but realistically that should be short lived. There will be injuries, there will be struggles – so if Tryamkin can continue to build on his play from last season, there is a spot in the top 6 for him.





