First round draft pick refusing to report: Forcing his way to the trade block?
Only rarely do players refuse to report to their teams, but we've already witnessed two cases this off-season.
Rutger McGroarty kicked things off with the Jets when he chose to return to the NCAA for another season. The Avalanche'sAvalanche'sder Mikhaïl Gulyayev pulled off a similar move when he announced that he wouldn't report to the AHL. In a recent interview, he declared that he would only cross to North America when he'd have been on the NHL squad:
Mikhail Gulyayev is a highly skilled Russian defenseman known for his exceptional skating and offensive upside. Gulyayev developed through the youth system at Avangard Omsk and quickly gained attention for his playmaking abilities and hockey IQ.
Standing 5'10" and w5'10"ng 170 pounds, Gulyayev may not be the most significant player on the ice, but his agility, speed, and puck-handling skills make him a dynamic presence. He excels at moving the puck up the ice and has shown great potential in running a power play, drawing comparisons to some of the more modern, mobile defensemen in the NHL. His vision and passing accuracy, combined with his skating prowess, make him a high-ceiling prospect with the potential to develop into a top-four NHL defenseman.
Gulyayev's Gulyayev'sby the Avalanche is part of the team's ongoteam'srategy to build a pipeline of young, skilled defensemen who can contribute to their fast-paced, offense-driven style of play. While he will likely need a few more years of development, particularly in strengthening his defensive game and adjusting to the North American style of hockey, Gulyayev is a prospect to watch for the future.
If the two parties disagree on Gulyayev's Gulyayev'st strategy, much like McGroarty, the Avalanche could elect to trade their prospect's rights.
Source: Colora' o Hockey Now
NEWSGulyayev Makes It Clear What His Path To The NHL Is
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