Avalanche draft Mikhail Gulyayev 31st overall
The Colorado Avalanche selected Mikhail Gulyayev with the 31st overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Mikhail Gulyayev
Position: Defense
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 172 lbs
Shoots: Left
Age: 18
Club: Omskie Yastreby (MHL)
Nationality: 🇷🇺
NHL Central Scouting final ranking: 10th among European skaters
2022-23 stats
| GP | G | A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omskie Yastreby (MHL) | 22 | 2 | 23 |
| Avangard Omsk (KHL) | 13 | 0 | 1 |
Gulyayev is one of the draft's most exciting offensive defensemen.
He burst onto the scene at the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he tallied five points in as many games as a 16-year-old. Gulyayev went on to score the most points ever by a defenseman that young in the Russian junior league.
Unsurprisingly, Gulyayev took another offensive step this season. He produced over a point per game in the MHL, which earned him a look in the Russian professional ranks.
He didn't look out of place in the VHL - Russia's equivalent of the AHL - but struggled in his minutes with the KHL's Avangard Omsk.
Gulyayev was outscored 3-7 when on the ice in his 13 KHL games, averaging 6:37 of ice time during those contests. Just playing in that league as a 17-year-old defenseman is impressive, but the results didn't help his draft stock.
Gulyayev is signed through 2024-25 with Avangard Omsk, meaning the earliest he can ink an NHL contract and come to North America is when he's 20 years old.
What they're saying
"Gulyayev has obvious offensive talents as he has clear NHL skating, hands, and vision," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman. "I've seen worse defenders, and with his great skating, he should be able to hold up at higher levels even with his slight frame, but it will be a question he will have to answer repeatedly."
"He skates like the wind, has creativity with the puck in the offensive zone, and can run a power play with a high rate of success thanks to his mobility, skill, and cerebral offensive mind," The Hockey News' Tony Ferrari wrote. "His defensive game can be a bit of a mess at times, especially against bigger, stronger players, but Gulyayev has tools that can mitigate that weakness if developed properly."
"He's a commanding offensive defenseman who is at his best when he's looking to take charge with his feet," wrote The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. "He doesn't play small, and I like his game at both ends of the ice because of his mobility and the confidence with which he reads the play."
Click here to watch Gulyayev's highlights.