6 Russian UFA Targets for the Canucks

On Monday morning, the Vancouver Canucks announced the signing of promising Russian Andrei Kuzmenko. While Kuzmenko is already 26 years old, he has never lived in North America and will certainly need someone to help him through his first year or two.

The Canucks also have Kuzmenko’s former St. Petersburg SKA teammate, Vasily Podkolzin. The 20-year-old played his rookie season with the Canucks last year, but still speaks limited English and would also benefit from the leadership of a Russian veteran.

While Kuzmenko has been practicing hard with his English and Podkolzin’s English has improved since he arrived in Vancouver last fall, the two Russians may need a fellow countryman to help them on and of the ice.

Here is an example of a Russian teammate helping his fellow countryman fit in with the NHL and living in North America.

When Evgeni Malkin came from Russia to North America in 2006, he was uncomfortable. He spoke almost no English, he didn’t understand the culture, and he didn’t know anyone. That is, until he met Sergei Gonchar.

Gonchar, an NHL veteran of 10 years at that point, was brought in for more than just his stellar play as an offensive defenseman. He was brought in as a father figure.

For the first two years of Malkin’s career, he was part of the Gonchar family. He lived at their house, helped with chores, and acted as an older brother to Gonchar’s then-three-year-old daughter, Natalie.

This relationship between Malkin and Gonchar made life easier for the young superstar. Simple, everyday tasks are exponentially more difficult when you don’t understand the language, so Gonchar was there to provide assistance when necessary.

When Malkin won the Hart Trophy in 2012, he dedicated it to Gonchar — who hadn’t even played for the Penguins in two years — out of gratitude for the help he gave him. Malkin firmly believes that he wouldn’t be the player he is today without Gonchar.

This is an important role for the Canucks to fill in order to properly develop their players, so here are six unrestricted free agents that could do that for them.

1. Vladislav Namestnikov

Vladislav Namestnikov  is still a productive player in the NHL. The 29-year-old has consistently produced roughly 30 points per year throughout his nine years in the league. His last contract paid him $2 million per year, and his next contract will likely be similar.

As a middle-six centre,(can also play both wing positions) he could slot perfectly between the left-winger Kuzmenko and the right-winger Podkolzin, and potentially have instant chemistry.

Namestnikov comes from a strong hockey family. His father, Evgeny, played 43 games in the NHL, including 35 for the Canucks over four seasons. His uncle is Detroit Red Wings legend Slava Kozlov. Another uncle, Ivan Novoseltsev, played five seasons in the league, and his younger brother, Max, plays for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL.

He is well-acquainted with both Russian and North American culture. He spent the majority of his childhood on this side of the pond and speaks perfect English. He would be an excellent mentor for these two promising players.

2. Alex Galchenyuk

Like Namestnikov, Galchenyuk grew up in North America, as his dad, Alexander Galchenyuk Sr., played professional hockey here. In addition to his flawless English and Russian, Galchenyuk is also fluent in Italian.

The former third-overall pick has struggled at the NHL level since leaving Montreal in 2018, but he can still produce in a bottom-six role. Coming off a league-minimum, one-year deal, he will undoubtedly be a risk-free addition to whichever team he signs with this off-season.

If that team happens to be the Canucks, they would benefit greatly from having him.

3. Valeri Nichushkin

One of the many feel-good stories of this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs, Valeri Nichushkin is having an excellent year. With eight goals and 13 points through 16 games these playoffs, he is certain to get a raise from the $2.5 million he made this year.

Up until this season, Nichushkin had struggled offensively in the NHL, infamously scoring zero goals during the 57 games he played for the Dallas Stars in 2018-19. Something seems to have clicked this year, however, as he recorded 25 goals and 52 points in 62 regular-season games with the Colorado Avalanche.

He has always been solid defensively, as JFresh reported on Sunday, and could boost the Canucks’ penalty kill greatly.

If Canucks management is to try to lure Nichushkin over, they must be wary of the recency bias that comes with him. He will undoubtedly get a raise, but one good year is not enough proof to give a player a massive contract — even if that year ends with a shiny Stanley Cup ring on his finger.