Nikolai Kovalenko has become a prolific scorer in the KHL during the last 18 months. Will that carry over when he crosses the Atlantic to play for the Colorado Avalanche at the end of the season? We’ll see what happens. I do know one thing he will contribute to the team.
Attitude. And not in a bad way.
After missing nearly six weeks due to an apparent wrist injury, the 24-year-old prospect returned to Torpedo’s lineup on Wednesday. It didn’t take him long to make an impression.
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He sprinted across the ice seconds into his first shift of the game to hit an opposing defenseman. That brought him into the game, and he gave his team the lead 30 seconds later.
This goal’s defense may be more than questionable, but it does highlight Kovalenko’s persistent effort. Even at the end of his shift, he stays committed, battles through the defender, and locates the puck in his feet. The concluding moments reveal his skill—he doesn’t just tap it in; he strategically places it where the goaltender can’t stop it, all while on the ground.
And that was just the beginning.
In the initial period alone, Kovalenko delivered five hits, displaying unrestrained energy. Torpedo felt his absence, struggling to replicate their previous offensive prowess after his injury, causing the team to slip from first to fourth place in the conference. On Wednesday evening, he promptly asserted his presence all over the ice.
The Avs brought in Wood and Colton to add some physicality to their bottom six. That's one of the reasons I like Kovalenko. He plays with a real attitude.
5 hits in his first period back, led forwards in TOI. Still not sure his offense translates, but he's got anger in his game. pic.twitter.com/TfJaWkzV0K
— Evan Rawal (@evanrawal) November 8, 2023
Torpedo won 4-1 thanks to Kovalenko’s key assist and his own powerplay goal in the second period.
His teammates presented him with the player of the game award following the game.
Here’s Kovalenko’s stat line upon his return to play:
- 2 goals
- 1 assist
- 2 shots on goal
- 7 hits
- 1 penalty drawn
- 16:54 time-on-ice, including 2:55 shorthanded, leading the team
Just another routine day for Kovalenko in the KHL.
I might talk about Kovalenko a lot, but I genuinely believe he’s NHL-ready and could be a valuable asset for the Avalanche. Given the early-season struggles of Jonathan Drouin and Tomas Tatar, having someone like him ready for the end of the season could be the organization’s secret weapon.
While there are concerns about how his offensive skills will transition to the NHL, Kovalenko brings a lot more to the table. I’m confident that Bednar will appreciate the young forward’s intensity, physicality, attitude, and effort. Joining a team late in the season can be tricky, though. He’ll need to quickly earn the trust of the staff, which might be challenging at that point in the year.
Regardless, it’s a valuable addition for the Avalanche in terms of depth as they aim for another Stanley Cup run. Kovalenko is slated to join the team after finishing his season with Torpedo and is signed through the end of the next season.
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