In every draft, there's the previously touted prospect who is bound to struggle and free-fall down the rankings in the lead up to the big day. In this year's class, Russian center Ivan Ryabkin might be that player. He was threatening to be among the first players selected in the draft, but a rough start to the season saw his slide begin.
Two years ago, Ryabkin finished just two points behind Canadiens prospect Ivan Demidov in the MHL with 58 points, scoring the most points in the league's history for a 16-year-old. This season, things didn't go as planned. He combined to play 2:06 in two games with Dynamo Moscow in the KHL. Then, it took him until December to finally find the back of the net.
After 12 points in 15 games in the MHL, Ryabkin left Russia to begin his North American career. On New Year's Eve, the Muskegon Lumberjacks announced Ryabkin's arrival to play the second half of the season in the USHL. Playing alongside fellow draft prospect Václav Nestrašil, Ryabkin found what makes his game special.
The move paid off for his offensive production
It didn't take long for Ryabkin to get comfortable in Muskegon. In his team debut, he potted two goals before adding another the next day. Despite only playing half of the season, he was near the top of the team in many major categories. His 19 goals were tied for fourth on the Lumberjacks, and he finished the season with 30 points in 27 contests.
The points kept coming in the playoffs. His 16 points were second in the league, scoring seven goals and finding the scoresheet in nine of Muskegon's 14 games as the Lumberjacks won the Clark Cup. He dropped a hat trick and five points in a semifinal victory before scoring the overtime-winner to put his team one win away from the championship.
Plenty of questions remain about his game
While Ryabkin's offensive abilities are unquestioned, the rest of his game needs a lot of work. He's not the strongest skater. He also has a lot of work to do on the defensive side of the puck. Ryabkin showed glimpses of improvement once he arrived in North America, but there's plenty of room to grow. However, it's the game between his ears that might get him in the most trouble.
He's known for being a punishing force, though it got him into trouble plenty of times this season. In just his second game, Ryabkin was slapped with a three-game suspension for a slew foot. Over a month later, he was ejected and suspended for a pair of games for an illegal hit to the head. He rounded out the trio with a one-game break for leaving the bench
Calling someone a "Boom or Bust" prospect feels cruel, but it feels like Ryabkin might be in that territory. The Hurricanes haven't shied away from taking Russian players, and that he's already stateside is that much better. He's growing acclimated to the North American style early, giving him time to hone his skills.
Ryabkin's slow start was likely the death knell to his hopes of being drafted in the first round. While there's still a chance it happens, it's looking like Ryabkin could be available late in the second round. The Hurricanes don't own a second-round pick, though a trade out of the first round could land them a pick in the 40s or 50s, where Ryabkin is expected to land. He might be worth the risk.