Artamanov scored seven goals with 16 assists for 23 points in 54 games for Nizhny Novgorod Torpedo of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) before being held pointless in five KHL playoff games.
His numbers may not be eye-popping, but Artamanov played in Russia’s professional men’s league and contributed at only 18 years old.
To give a reference point, NHL star winger Nikita Kucherov, at 18, wasn't even playing in the KHL his draft year but rather in their junior league.
According to a scouting report from the Pro Hockey Group on CapFriendly , Artamanov has a deceptive wrist shot, which he uses to a tee on the power play. His “hockey IQ” and awareness are top-notch, and he can read the play well to create turnovers and scoring opportunities.
Though on the shorter side at 5’ 11”, Artamanov has a stocky build and is unafraid to battle for the puck along the boards. He is one of the most complete players in the 2024 draft class, and most scouts project him on the second line or generally in the middle six.
Artamanov is a divisive prospect. Some see him as a lottery pick, while others see him as the center of the second round, so there is a chance he will be available at No. 20.
The uncertainly is likely due to Artamanov being a Russian prospect, which instills uncertainty about when he will come to North America.
Why would Artamanov be a good option for the Islanders?
Artamanov is a well-rounded prospect with a strong floor. Any team selecting him will get guaranteed value.
At some point, the Islanders need a prospect or two to round out to the NHL level.
Artamanov may not have the best offensive skills in the draft class, but his strong work ethic, awareness, and overall profile will allow him to fit in anywhere.
This doesn’t mean Artamanov won’t produce offensively, though.
His pace in the KHL this season was downright elite compared to the scores of other KHL prospects, which would indicate that he has more offense to give at other levels.
Artamanov is a complete player with the potential to be a strong offensive winger—the best of both worlds.
The Islanders also have many Russian players (Ilya Sorokin, Semyon Varlamov, Alexander Romanov, Ruslan Iskhakov, and now Maxim Tsyplakov ), which could entice a Russian prospect like Artamanov to come over sooner.
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