Top 5 Prospects of the Month: September 2024

Have you ever heard of the one they call "boom"?

Man, it feels so good to be back. Welcome to the top 5 prospects of the month, where I look at how each prospect played during any given month and see how they stack up against other Canes Prospects. AS A REMINDER, THIS IS NOT A LIST OF WHERE THEY RANK AMONGST PROSPECTS. THIS IS JUST FOR THE GIVEN MONTH. I should also mention that since this is the first month with hockey back, it’s a very weird month in regards to players and point totals. With that reminder out of the way, let’s begin with the one honorable mention.

Honorable Mention: “Uncle” Fyodor Avramov (Sochi in the KHL)

One of the best nicknames within the Canes system, Avramov is the honorable mention for the month of September. The good, he dominated his one game at the MHL level with 2 goals and an assist and he got promoted to the KHL. The bad, he’s averaging around 4:30 TOI while with Sochi. Hard to grow and develop if you don’t get a lot of ice time. His shot has stayed pretty good and he’s not afraid to shoot, the issue remains playing time.

5. Alexander Rykov, W (Split between Chelmet (VHL) and Belye Medvedi (MHL))

When I mentioned this month is weird, Rykov and the person in 3rd are the reasons why. They barely played but played well enough to earn a spot on the list. Rykov can be described as a buzzsaw with some scoring touch, a reliable player who can play in the top 9 without too many qualms. He spent most of the month recovering from injury but returned to action in the last 2 weeks of September, playing in 3 total games between Belye Medvedi at the MHL level and Chelmet at the VHL level. In those 3 games, he has 4 assists while averaging around 17:30 TOI. More impressive to me is that 3 of the 4 assists have been primary assists, which is always better. Lots to like from the forward from Chelyabinsk and here’s hoping he gets back to playing for Traktor sooner rather than later.

4. Alexander Siryatsky, D (Split between Stalnye Lisy (MHL) and Magnitka (VHL))

We finally have an updated height and weight for Siryatsky, who has blossomed into a 6’4, 183-pound defenseman. He was listed on draft night at 6’2, 157 pounds so this is a rather large leap for the 18-year-old. Siryatsky will get the Cardio award for this month as he played in 10 games in September, 6 at the VHL level and 4 at the MHL level. At the VHL level, he was ok in a very limited role. Siryatsky was only given around 10-11 minutes a night but still managed 2 assists in those games. As well, he was contributing to a power play unit. At the MHL level, he was asked to play around 21 minutes a night and did pretty well in those minutes, producing 3 assists in 4 games. Overall, he produced at a .5 points per game rate for September, which is good. He stays in 4th place for the month due to competition and his defensive play, which was certainly something, to say the least.

3. Noel Fransen, D (Split between Farjestad J20 (J20) and Vasteras IK (HockeyAllsvenksen))

A funky month leads the most recent 69th pick (nice) to be the 3rd best prospect for the month of September. After starting the season with Farjestad at the J20 level and getting a goal and 2 assists in 2 games, Fransen was called up to the SHL squad to play for them in the Champions Hockey League. He played around 12 minutes in both games and didn’t contribute a point, but was an overall +2. Fransen was then loaned out to Vasteras IK in HockeyAllsvensken as a way to allow him much more ice time than what he would’ve gotten and play at a higher level than he would’ve in the Farjestad system. He got off to a slow start but got his first assist on the 30th and has so far played around 20 minutes a night. He’s being asked to play power play and a very small amount of PK, so he’s doing good in my eyes. Once the points start rolling in (he already has his second point in the first game of October), Fransen will start rolling again.

2. Alexander Nikishin, D (SKA of the KHL)

What, you were expecting favoritism to keep him as the World Heavyweight Prospect of the Month? In reality, Nikishin is off to yet another great start with SKA while still trying to return to full form from the injury that kept him out of the playoffs last year and the start of this season. In 7 games played, the Big Guy has a goal and 3 assists for 4 points, sitting at just above a .5 PPG pace. More impressive, or scary depending on who you ask though, is his usage. He’s expected to run the top power play (sorry Tony) and be a big contributor on the penalty kill, but Nikishin is currently averaging 25:13 TOI! To put that in perspective, this would’ve had him sitting 6th in the NHL last year above players like Cale Makar, Victor Hedman, Charlie McAvoy, etc. Nikishin is in for a shock when he’s asked to play closer to 20 minutes a night when he’s in Raleigh-Durham.

1. Nikita Artamonov, W (Torpedo in the KHL)

The inaugural World Heavyweight Prospect of the Month is Nikita Artamonov, who is the heater to end all heaters. Going into this KHL season, my optimism with Artamonov was high because he was already getting regular KHL minutes but he wasn’t getting rewarded with points for the smaller things he did in the offensive end, as well as I didn’t see any dynamic aspect of his game. The dynamic aspect is still a question mark but the offense has finally started to punch through with confidence. Currently, on a 6-game point streak, Artamonov put up 6 goals and 5 assists for 11 points in 12 games. He’s developed a knack for being in the right place at the right time, as well as getting more confident and crafty with his passing. Let’s review his most recent performance, a 1 goal and 2 assist outing.

Here he is getting some power play time. Just fires a shot and the rebound goes directly to his teammate. Very much luck but happy to see he’s willing to let the puck fly.

Right place, right time. An absolute laser that beats the goalie.

A simple no-look pass to his teammate who blasts it past the goalie. Nothing overtly complicated but it works, effectively at that.