Is it safe to say the Avalanche haven’t been as excited about a goaltending prospect in years as they are about 23-year-old Ilya Nabokov?
“We’re definitely excited,” Avalanche director of player development Brian Willsie said Friday after the first workout of rookie camp.
Nabokov, who was drafted 38th overall by the Avalanche in 2024, has arrived in North America. He signed his entry-level contract with Colorado last summer, but elected to stay in the KHL for one more season.
“I wanted to make sure that I’m ready for this next level mentally,” Nabokov said through a translator after Friday’s practice. “It’s a different country. Everything is different over here, and I just wanted to make sure that I show up at my best.”
He’s now ready and has lofty goals.
Nabokov will likely play in one of the two rookie tournament games with the Avalanche this weekend in San Jose, Calif. When the Avalanche’s main camp begins next week, he’ll be tested by some of the top players in the NHL.
That’s what he wants.
While the plan is for Nabokov to start in the American Hockey League, the confident Russian doesn’t want to spend the entire season with the Colorado Eagles. He came to North America to compete and show he has what it takes to play in the best league in the world.
“I want to see what I can do in the NHL, and while I’m young, I will do my best to have the best career I can possibly have,” Nabokov said. “My plans for the season are to play as many games in the NHL as possible and just prove that I belong here.”
He has a few pretty good goalies ahead of him on the depth chart that could put a dent in those plans.
While Nabokov practiced on one rink at Family Sports, the veterans skated on the other, including Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood. If Nabokov is to earn playing time at the NHL level this season, he’ll either have to wait for an unfortunate injury to Blackwood or Wedgewood, for subpar play or a surprise move. What happens beyond this season remains to be seen, as Wedgewood is entering the final year of his contract.
Colorado Avalanche goaltenders Mackenzie Blackwood (39), Scott Wedgewood (41) and right wing Valeri Nichushkin (13) hug after the team won a shootout against the Vegas Golden Knights in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/Geneva Heffernan)
The former second-round pick is still picking up the English language, so he said he hasn’t had many deep conversations with the two NHL goaltenders. But their paths have crossed in recent weeks.
“They are great guys, very positive and always ready to help with whatever I need,” Nabokov said.
Beyond fighting to earn playing time in the NHL, the Russian goaltender must battle for the net in Loveland with Trent Miner, who has been the Eagles’ starter the past two years. Nabokov entering unfamiliar territory and stealing someone’s job is charted territory for him, though.
His unexpected rise began in 2023 at the beginning of his final season of draft eligibility. With just one KHL game under his belt prior to that season, Nabokov started as Metallurg’s backup goaltender. When the starter struggled, Nabokov stepped in and never looked back, posting a .930 save percentage in 43 games. He was named KHL Rookie of the Year, but his postseason performance put him on everyone’s radar.
In the postseason, Nabokov went 16-6 with a .942 save percentage, leading his team to a KHL championship. After the postseason, he was named playoff MVP. A month later, he was selected by the Avalanche with their first pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
While his most recent campaign was statistically his worst over three KHL seasons, the Avalanche still hold him in very high regard.
“Just getting that experience with the Eagles at the end of the year, that helps so much,” Willsie said. “He’s a popular guy in the room already. English is coming slowly, but having him come over, get that North American experience and this not being the first time, I think it’s going to help him. Excited for him, for sure.”
A full year in North America should help his English. After answering questions through a translator, Nabokov wanted to take his shot at saying something in the language he’s still learning before he and the team traveled to San Jose.
“Have a nice day,” he said.