Russia Stock Watch: Daniil But making a lot happen with very little ice-time at Lokomotiv Yaroslavl

We’re nearing the 40-game mark in the Russian hockey circuit, with the All-Star teams being named and even some prospects getting the chance to play “internationally” with the Cup of the Future this month.

Here’s a look at some prospects who have made their case to be worthy draft selections, an Arizona Coyotes swing paying off, and a prospect on a 16-game pointless streak. Let's go.

Stock Rising 📈

Daniil But, LW, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (Arizona Coyotes)

There may be no Russian prospect who performed better than Coyotes' first-rounder Daniil But through the month of November, save for Matvei Michkov, of course.

The 12th-overall pick doubled his goal total with four in 11 games, along with four assists for a total of eight points in the month of November. All the while, he’s barely even playing hockey! He's only skated for more than 10 minutes in six of his games thus far. Two of his four assists came in a 5-2 defeat against Admiral where But played just 5:05.

Playing on a quality team like Lokomotiv, it isn’t a shock that he’s fighting for his life for ice time, but the production he’s put up with in those limited minutes has been outstanding.

Pavel Moysevich, G, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (2024 NHL Draft)

A name unfamiliar to most, Pavel Moysevich has quietly been a brick wall in the SKA-Neva net this season. He only played 18 games between four different teams in his first year of draft eligibility, finding himself in the VHL for a short four-game stint where the numbers didn't exactly jump off the page.

This year, the 6-foot-5 Belarusian goaltender has taken a big step forward in his development. His .931 save percentage is the 13th-best mark in the VHL, all while playing behind an up-and-down side in SKA-Neva. Moysevich has also made his way into the KHL squad on a few occasions, stopping all 34 shots he faced, split between four games.

The 19-year-old has found his form in professional hockey. He has the height that NHL decision-makers covet too, so a late-round pick could be in the cards, so long as enough scouts get a chance to see him.

Honourable Mentions: Danila Yurov (Minnesota Wild), Matvei Babenko (2024 Draft)

Stock Steady ↔️

Matvei Shuravin, D, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva (2024 Draft)

Matvei Shuravin's play with CSKA Moskva in the KHL last month has sent him skyrocketing up draft rankings, probably a little bit too much for my tastes.

Shuravin is an interesting prospect. He’s a strong defender through his mobility and range. He anticipates well and has established himself as Mr. Reliable on the Krasnaya Armiya blueline, too.

That said, there’s a lot more developmental work in front of Shuravin than some of his best moments at CSKA would lead some to think. For starters, this isn't someone who is a reliable puck-mover, unless the play is there for the taking. He's a limited handler, uncomfortable and awkward with the puck, often losing control on simple handling moves and struggling to retain possession when faced with physical pressure.

These are things that can improve with time, but for now, Shuravin’s game is mostly that of a basic, rangy defender. There’s value in that, but the A-grades being assigned to him may be premature.

Stock Falling 📉

Prokhor Poltapov, LW, CSKA Moskva (Buffalo Sabres)

Prokhor Poltapov has been on a freezing cold streak and it doesn't appear to be letting up anytime soon.

The Sabres prospect went on a four-game point streak from October 9 to 16 and hasn’t been able to get his name on the scoresheet since. Like But, he has struggled to find consistent ice time with CSKA, but he still hovers at around 12 minutes a game.

So, where does the problem lie for Poltapov? Well, he's not the most polished prospect. There have always been question marks surrounding his game, specifically, the translatability and, as he’s showing now, game-to-game consistency.

He's always been a “do first, think later” player, going back to when he first leapt onto the NHL's scouting radar all those years ago, and not much has changed since. He's a bulldog through and through, looking to bulldoze opponents and force his way through traffic almost every time he takes the ice. The problem is, he's not finding a lot of success with that approach. The numbers bear that out.

Don't write Poltapov off just yet, but the timetable is becoming more and more unclear. His game doesn’t look refined enough for North America. It’s just his second full season in the KHL, as well, but this feels like a letdown from the winger.