Yesterday afternoon, ESPN's Rachel Kryshak released an article with the top prospect rankings for all 32 NHL teams. For the Columbus Blue Jackets, there was a surprising name at the top. Goaltender Sergei Ivanov earned the honor in that article, with an important tidbit about his situation beyond this season.
Ivanov was taken by the Jackets in the 5th round (#138 overall) at the 2022 NHL Draft. Since then, he's remained in his native Russia, splitting time in the MHL (junior level), VHL (minor league) and the KHL.
After spending the last two years on loan to other KHL franchises; this season, he has earned time with the club who actually owns his rights-SKA St Petersburg. He's posted a 13-11-2 record in 29 games with SKA, with a .928% save percentage, 2.50 goals against average, and 3 shutouts.
That save percentage is good enough for 7th in the KHL, which is very impressive for a 21-year-old netminder. While he wouldn't be my choice for the top prospect in the system (maybe not even the highest-ranked goaltender), I can see why a data-driven analysis such as this one from ESPN would have him there.
Quietly, he has been developing very well overseas. He was even a KHL All-Star this year. There is a lot to be excited about, except for one thing...
Will he ever come to North America?
This is where things start to get interesting, because it sounds like he might. Ivanov's contract in Russia expires after this season. He has not yet re-upped to return to SKA next season, leaving his options open. According to that blurb from ESPN, the Blue Jackets think they have a shot at bringing him over.
That development would make for a very interesting situation in the CBJ crease next season and beyond. Ivanov may not be the unanimous top goaltending prospect in the system, but one thing I do agree with Rachel Kryshak on: he is certainly the most NHL-ready.
If Don Waddell can convince Ivanov to come over, I think he's very capable of pushing for time in Columbus right out of the gate. There will be adjustments to make, but coming from the KHL gives him the advantage of having already faced elite shooters. He's done that for a few seasons now.
With Jet Greaves already emerging as one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, there is a real chance that this will be a huge position of strength for the Blue Jackets moving ahead. That timeline speeds up if Ivanov comes over this summer.
But, something to bear in mind: the team only has two goaltenders currently playing at the pro level, who are signed beyond this season. One of them is minor league backup Nolan Lalonde. The other: Elvis Merzlikins. Ivanov coming over this year, could make for some uncomfortable conversations.
And, something else to consider: I'm not sure what the appetite would be for having two very young, traditionally undersized goaltenders manning the crease in Columbus. So, they will probably be best suited to slow-play their hand here.
How will the rotation work?
The good news is, Ivanov seems open to starting in the American Hockey League if he does come to North America. Here is an article from the Hockey Writers where he talks about this exact situation.
"I understand that if I come to America now, I’ll have to go through the AHL to make it to the NHL. (Igor) Shesterkin came ready, but even he still worked his way through the farm club. I’m not afraid of that."Sergei Ivanov
Ivanov mentions Igor Shesterkin and Sergei Bobrovsky as two guys he looks up to. That's good company, and he seems to have a very level-headed approach to his career ahead.
With his contract expiring in May, seeing this blurb gives me confidence that we may see him come over next season. Waddell's plan would likely involve sending him to the Cleveland Monsters, to allow him to make the necessary adjustments to playing on the smaller North American rink.
If that happens, I don't think it will be long before we see him pushing for time with the Blue Jackets. Ivanov is a talented, athletic goaltender who will remind us of Greaves in a lot of ways. Getting him signed this summer would be massive for this franchise.