24-year-old Nikolai Kovalenko, has wrapped up his 2023-24 season in the KHL. His team, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, was knocked out of the postseason in five games by SKA on Saturday.
Selected 171st overall in the sixth round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Kovalenko signed a two-year deal with the Avalanche on July 25, 2023. During his time in the KHL, he served as an alternate captain for Torpedo, tallying 32 goals and 89 points in 98 regular-season games, along with three goals and 11 points in 15 postseason games.
His potential addition to the NHL lineup would bolster an already revamped forward group, featuring players like Casey Mittelstadt, Yakov Trenin, Brandon Duhaime, and the return of Valeri Nichushkin. Additionally, with the possible comeback of captain Gabriel Landeskog, the Avalanche have multiple top-nine forward combinations, potentially sidelining players like Joel Kiviranta or Zach Parise.
Kovalenko is known for his versatility and ability to play in various situations, suggesting he could make an immediate impact in the NHL. However, it's essential to manage expectations as he hasn't played on the smaller North American ice before, which may require an adjustment period.
