Since before the 2025 NHL Draft, I've been singing the praises of Russian forward Ivan Ryabkin. I hoped that the Carolina Hurricanes would draft him, and when they did, I looked forward to seeing how he would progress through their system. Ryabkin made the surprising decision to sign his entry-level deal last summer, but this most recent decision is equally shocking.
A rumor began to circulate on Sunday that Ryabkin was returning to Russia to play for Dynamo Moscow of the KHL, the same organization he played for before making the jump to North America during his draft year. Whether this is the reason for the decision remains to be seen, but according to the same insider, Ryabkin is set to marry the daughter of the team's new general manager.
Ryabkin played the second half of the 2024-25 season with the USHL's Muskegon Lumberjacks before the Canes selected him with the 62nd pick. He performed well enough during training camp to stick around with the Chicago Wolves for the start of the season. After 25 AHL games, the team sent him to the Charlottetown Islanders in the QMJHL, where his season turned around.
With Charlottetown, Ryabkin recorded 42 points in 20 games, including a pair of five-point contests. He added nine points in six playoff games, paving the way for Ryabkin to rejoin the Wolves at the end of the regular season. He played in all 21 of the Wolves' playoff games, scoring four goals and finishing with nine points as Chicago fell to the Toronto Marlies in the Calder Cup Final.
This offseason has already seen the Wolves lose so much. Domenick Fensore and Ryan Suzuki have signed with other NHL clubs. Noel Gunler has signed in Sweden. Noah Philp also signed in Sweden and had his signing rights traded to Anaheim. Givani Smith is heading to Shanghai in the KHL. I'd expected Ryabkin to be a big part of the Wolves' identity this season, so this decision is a surprise.
Until the Hurricanes say something to confirm or deny this, I would keep an open mind and wait before making any assumptions. This feels like a situation where the Canes will loan Ryabkin to the KHL for the season, leaving the door open for a return to Chicago later in the campaign. Given his age, the Canes aren't burning years of his entry-level deal just yet, maintaining his three seasons.
Still, this is setting up to be another disappointing loss for the Wolves this coming season, especially for a forward group that has already lost a considerable number of players. Maybe guys like Charlie Cerrato, who will get their first real chance in the AHL, can step up and fill in some of the gaps. Again, we'll wait to see what the Hurricanes say regarding this matter.
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