Vancouver Canucks Analysis: The Power of Nikita Tryamkin

Nikita Tryamkin will look to remind the Vancouver Canucks why they can now win Lord Stanley’s Hardware.

The Vancouver Canucks were just periods away from laying their hands on the Stanley Cup when a 6-foot-9 giant stepped up and said no. And to the 250-pound Zdeno Chara, did the people of Vancouver ever speak with their actions. Chara, alongside Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand, were hated for years after in Vancouver.

Nikita Tryamkin is going to try to repeat that feat — for the right team, that is.

The Vancouver Canucks officially announced the signing of the 6-foot-8, 240-pound defenceman to a two-year entry-level deal on Tuesday. And yes — 6-foot-8 at 240 pounds is the official word from Jim Benning himself.

And of course, Wednesday’s official release says otherwise. Tryamkin is officially 228 pounds heavy. Just adding to all the confusion, you know.

According to News 1130, a Russian translator is coming to Vancouver to help Tryamkin with his English communication. He will be the one and only Russian-speaking player in the Canucks locker room unless Andrey Pedan makes the team.

The former third-round pick of the 2014 NHL Entry draft has played his entire pro career in the KHL with the Yekaterinburg Avtomobilist. This season he has recorded 11 points in 53 regular season games while stacking up 71 minutes in penalties. Playing as a top-four stay-at-home defenceman this season, the 21-year-old will look to play a Zdeno Chara’s game.

Here is Tryamkin’s pre-draft interview from the 2014 draft:

Tryamkin got his wish to get to the NHL two years after his draft. Will he meet the already heightened Vancouver expectation to be the second Chara in the making?

Analyzing every facet of Tryamkin’s coming to Vancouver, here is your guide to Nikita Tryamkin, the 21-year-old Russian and the newest member of your Vancouver Canucks.

Next: Tryamkin Analysis: A Two-Year Contract