Future Vision: Ivan Ryabkin next in a long-line of ultra-talented Russians at the NHL Draft

Two of the most skilled forward prospects in the last two drafts have come out of Russia.

First, it was Matvei Michkov in 2023, the supremely talented goalscorer who produced at a historic rate in the KHL in his draft year. Then, it was Ivan Demidov in this year's draft, the ultra-creative winger who tore up the MHL in a way we've never seen before.

And it seems like Russia's streak of producing top-end forward talent won't be coming to an end in 2025, either.

Enter Ivan Ryabkin, the 6-foot-tall centre who is coming off the most productive season in the MHL history by a 16-year-old.

While both Michkov (1.82 points per game) and Demidov (1.45) outperformed Ryabkin (1.32) during their draft-minus-one seasons, they were also older and had already played in the league in the prior season. 

In contr