Avalanche News
Mikhail Gulyayev Could Make Jump to Avalanche in 2026
Mikhail Gulyayev is one of the Avalanche’s last remaining highly touted prospects in the system. And it sounds like a 2026 move to North America could be in the works.
RG Media’s Sergey Demidov had an exclusive with the Avs’ 2023 first-round draft pick and was able to shed light on what’s to come for the young 20-year-old Russian defenseman.
Gulyayev has even played forward in some recent games.
RG MEDIA: Avalanche Prospect Mikhail Gulyayev Plays Forward, Eyes 2026 NHL Move
Kudos to RG Media for getting this story sent to me. I have some thoughts on what I believe should be a pivotal 12 months in the career of Gulyayev.
The Avs could use homegrown talent in their lineup. Not just because they need to eventually get better at developing talent later in the first round and beyond, but because having young contributors in your lineup on lower-cost entry-level deals massively boosts your ability to build a winner.
Gulyayev seems to be in good hands with former NHL coach Guy Boucher in the KHL. I think the idea that Boucher moved him to forward to help develop his offensive game is fascinating. But in a Jared Bednar system, it’s his defensive game that’ll ultimately lead to an opportunity. Gulyayev is going to have the odds stacked against him given that he’s on the smaller side. If he continues to develop his defensive game and can play a fearless brand of hockey, he’ll excel in the NHL. Or at least get a chance to do so.
But it’ll always be harder for someone like him to crack the Avalanche’s lineup on a permanent basis, especially if Samuel Girard, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews continue to make up half of the team’s depth core.
Between Gulyayev and goalie Ilya Nabokov, Avs fans have a lot to keep track of in the KHL. Both of them could make their way over as early as next spring, when their KHL seasons come to an end.
Gulyayev was non-committal in the RG Media piece about that plan, but his contract expires at the conclusion of this season.
To me it’s not a good sign when an “offensive defenseman” gets moved to forward to further develop his offensive game because he’s not going to make his bones in the NHL being more physical than most players. Makar and Toews aren’t going anywhere so that leaves Girard who will have to be moved when Gulyayev comes over. Gulyayev is about Girard’s height but at 21 he doesn’t have his man-strength yet. Funny how all sports are copycat leagues. Just a few years ago teams had no problem with small speedy puck movers on D, and fast skaters in general,… Read more »
It does seem bizarre, the moonlighting at forward. Unless his KHL team had a rash of injuries. Not sure why he would be playing up front? Especially when most of us would assume or have been made to believe his offensive game is much further along, & is his forte. If he’s considered a liability defensively in the KHL. Where nobody much worries about defense. That’s a really troubling sign, even if he’s still only 21. For you or anybody else who might know. Is there a physical component to his game? I know he’s small, but typically guys either… Read more »
Gulyayev is just another prospect with potential. Nothing more, nothing less. The KHL, it seems, has become just another AHL league for young Russians and older foreign players who do not get contracts in the NHL. It is no longer a league of bona fide Russian stars. The Avs have a similar prospect in Behrens, who is 2 years older. Behrens will spend the year in the AHL and probably only see the Avs if there are multiple injuries. If Gulyayev does come over next year, he too will spend time in the AHL. If he does get a chance… Read more »
I completely agree with your assessment of what the KHL has become but Russians and their agents still think it’s better to develop there than in the AHL. Can’t remember where it was, but I saw a translated Bardakov interview and he told a Russian writer that he’s willing to play a few games in the AHL but his contract has an out to return to the KHL if he’s relegated to the Eagles because he can’t crack the Avs lineup as a regular. Validation that it’s perfectly fine to take flyers on Russians in later rounds but unless they’re… Read more »
I did read that about Bardakov. One thing I have never heard is what guys get paid in the KHL and European leagues. Sure you may be a star in Russia or Sweden, but do they live better than making $775k in the U.S. and Canada?
Russia and the KHL is really a closed system right now because of the war in Ukraine. They do not have foreign competition, other than foreigners coming to play in the KHL. It is hard to judge their talent playing against just themselves.
Another puck moving “Dinkster.” Check please.
Truly. Trade bait maybe.