Hockey manager Nikita Kvartalnov remarked that several teams in the National Hockey League have opted not to pursue Russian players. His comments were relayed to Sports Express, highlighting a shift in evaluating Russian talent at the NHL level.
“Did any NHL franchises effectively rule out players from Russia in their recruitment?” Kvartalnov asked. “They didn’t broadcast such a stance, but within some organizations there was a clear decision that Russian players would not be on the short list for selection.”
In the 2023 NHL draft, nineteen players from Russia were chosen to join various teams, marking a notable presence despite the tensions surrounding Russian athletes in North American leagues.
The draft featured a standout performer who at 18 years old secured the overall top pick and began his NHL journey with the Chicago Blackhawks. This young talent’s ascent was part of a broader narrative about international players making immediate impacts in the league.
Among the Russians, Dmitry Simashev, a defenseman from Lokomotiv, was picked ahead of many peers with the sixth overall selection. Forward Matvey Michkov, also associated with Lokomotiv’s development system, was drafted seventh and became a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. In another move reflecting the depth of the Russian pipeline, Daniil But, a Lokomotiv system forward, was chosen by the Arizona Coyotes at the 12th position, while Mikhail Gulyaev, coming from the Avangard system, went to the Colorado Avalanche as the 31st overall pick.
Several other Russian players continued to be selected in later rounds, underscoring a continued interest and realization of talent across multiple clubs in the league’s ongoing talent marketplace.
A former Lokomotiv player later commented on perceived bias against Russian players in North American hockey, describing an environment where prejudice—whether overt or subtle—had an influence on discussions about recruitment and opportunities. The remark added another layer to the broader debate about international players, performance expectations, and the evolving dynamics between North American teams and Russian hockey programs, as reported by Sports Express.