NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Artur Kayumov

Get to Know Artur Kayumov

Date of Birth: February 14, 1997 (18)
Place of Birth: Podgorny, Russia
Ht: 5’10” Wt: 154 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Left Wing
Team: Lokomitv Yaroslavl (MHL)

Statistics

What Scouts See

Alessandro Serren Rosso, Hockeys Future
A small, technically sound player, Artur Kayumov is a gifted player with a good nose for the net and excellent skating ability. He is not big, but he can overcome this problem with his soft hands and fast skating. Kayumov can both score and help other players to score and is a constant threat in the offensive zone. He is very smart and is doing very well with the U18 national team in the MHL, and he was one of the best players for Team Russia this summer at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. His lack of size may cause Kayumov to be considered a long shot to make it to the NHL, but he has all the tools to succeed.

HockeyProspect.com Black Book
Kayumov doesn’t have legit size on his side, but has a few other things going for him. His little stick, short stride and quick feet allow him to react promptly and look comfortable in tight spaces. He can also complete plays in the blink of an eye when lanes open up. He is a very shifty and elusive player whose trademark is his tremendous puck control. He can zoom around the ice with the puck attached on his stick, attack opponents to himself and then hand the puck to an open linemate.

Future Considerations
Kayumov is an impressive little player who played in all situations for Russia’s U18 squad and was effective in all roles he was asked to play. He is electric as he bursts around the ice and lays the body when he sees the opportunity to do so. He is a tremendous playmaker with soft hands and poise with the puck. With great speed, Kayumov can y down the wing, deke out a defenseman and take the puck to the slot for a chance.

Highlights

NHL Potential
With his small stature there are some significant hurdles for Artur Kayumov to overcome if he’s ever going to make the NHL. He’s an extremely elusive player and that helps him compete at his size overseas, but will he be able to maintain that game on smaller faster ice in North America? Kayumov’s raw skillset projects to that of a top six goal scoring winger, but he’s got a long way to go to reach that goal and at his size and weight he has a high bust potential.

Expected Draft Position
It’s unclear exactly how the unprecedented Russian doping scandal will affect draft stock for Russians at this year’s NHL Draft. Kayumov has been routinely rated as a mid-2nd round prospect but if scouts shy away from Russia he could easily drop into the third round.

How Prospect Fits in Avalanche Organization
The Avalanche seem to have moved on from choosing the small, feisty offensive forwards like Colin Smith and Troy Bourke that former head scout Rick Pracey loved every year. In that regard Kayumov is a poor fit for the Avalanche prospect pool, however, with lots of steady lower ceiling prospects in the system, it wouldn’t be too shocking to see the take a bigger swing at someone with higher scoring potential.