Leontiyev’s debut, Sexton’s return: Neftekhimik season preview

KHL.ru continues its look at how the teams are shaping up for the new season. In Nizhnekamsk, Neftekhimik has made some astute trades and looks to be well-placed for a playoff push.

Last season

Neftekhimik finished 11th in the Eastern Conference last term, missing out on a playoff place: 19 wins and 40 points in 60 games. The team slumped in December, winning just one game in 10. The top performer was Libor Hudacek (38 points in 50 games), while Pavel Poryadin, Marat Khairullin and Rafael Bikmullin seriously raised their games. Poryadin matched his best ever points haul from the previous campaign while the other two enjoyed their bests seasons in the KHL. But their efforts were not enough and by Jan. 25, Neftekhimik was out of playoff contention.

Roster

Arrivals

Goalie: Frans Tuohimaa (HIFK, FIN)

Defense: Maxim Berezin (Avtomobilist), Andrei Gerashchenko (Dinamo-Molodechno, BLR), Ivan Glazkov (try-out; Lada, VHL), Anton Gorbachyov (Saryarka, KAZ), Lukas Klok (Lukko, FIN), Ronald Knot (Liberec, CZE), Maxim Rogov (Izhstal, VHL), Timur Khairullin (try-out; Zauralye, VHL).

Offense: Libor Hudacek (Lausanne, SUI), Evgeny Mityakin (Avtomobilist), Danila Popov (Dizel, VHL), Yegor Popov (try-out; Rubin, VHL), Dan Sexton (Avtomobilist), Vyacheslav Skobelev (Molot-Prikamye, VHL)

Retained

Goalie: Evgeny Ivannikov.

Defense: Roman Abrosimov, Alexander Bryntsev, Kirill Vorobyov, Bulat Motygullin, Alexei Puzanov, Gleb Semyonov, Mikhail Sidorov.

Offense: Rafael Bikmullin, Artyom Golubovich, Nikita Popugayev, Pavel Poryadin, Marat Khairullin, Timur Khafizov, Andrei Chivilyov, Timur Sharifyanov, Bulat Shafigullin, Ildar Shiksatdarov, Vladislav Shutov.

Departures

Goalie: Fyodor Korotayev (CSK VVC, VHL)

Defense: Alexei Volgin (Metallurg), Otso Rantakari (Tappara, FIN)

Offense: Daniel Butsayev (Sochi), Mikhail Byakin (AKM, VHL), Vladimir Galuzin (Amur)

There have been some interesting trades over the summer. First, the team brought back Libor Hudacek after a short-term contract in Switzerland. Next, Neftekhimik signed a contract with Dan Sexton, who made his KHL reputation at the club. Then the club found two Czech defenseman, Ronald Knot and Lukas Klok. The former was among the top five D-men in the Czech Extraliga last season, while the second was part of the Czechs’ World Championship roster. Finally, the club secured the services of Pavel Poryadin, despite a qualifying offer from Ak Bars.

Coaching

Neftekhimik is led by Oleg Leontiyev, for whom this will be a first season as fully-fledged head coach in the KHL. He spent the three previous season behind the bench at Gornyak Uchalov and made progress throughout that time: in his first season the club did not make the playoffs, in the second it went out in the first round and last term it got to the second. As a player, Leontiyev was a defenseman but he says that attacking play is closer to his spirit and he wants to promote that with Neftekhimik.

Goalies

Neftekhimik signed up Frans Tuohimaa, who was among the top 10 goalies in Finland for GAA (2.12 in 33 games). He will surely share a leading role with Evgeny Ivannikov, who played 42 games for Neftkehimik last season. It seems that the two have an equal chance of becoming first choice — Ivannikov got the start in a warm-up game against Salavat Yulaev before Tuohimaa played both games against Ak Bars. Young Yaroslav Ozolin, yet to play in the KHL, looks likely to be third choice.

Defense

On paper, Neftekhimik’s blue line looks pretty good, despite the loss of Alexei Volgin and Otso Rantakari. New signings Ronald Knot and Lukas Klok looked impressive against Salavat Yulaev and Ak Bars, and Leontiyev can also call upon Alexander Bryntsev, Roman Abrosimov, Mikhail Sidorov and Maxim Berezin: all of these players can stake a case for a spot in the first two pairs. In addition, there are plenty of promising youngsters emerging, ensuring there’s no room for complacency among the more experienced players.

Offense

There is good depth on offense as well. The top line, most likely, will involve Libor Hudacek, Dan Sexton and Pavel Poryadin. The first two missed the opening pre-season games but are expected to be involved at the Ramazan Memorial Trophy in Magnitogorsk. Marat Khairullin and Rafael Bikmullin are both looking for a top-six role after showing great form last season — Khairullin was second on the team for goals, and Bikmullin was a potent weapon on the power play.

Youngsters

Neftekhimik’s top prospect right now is 21-year-old Andrei Chivilyov. Last season he had 11 (4+7) points in 43 games, with 11:09 in ice time. Chivilyov was on the score sheet in the second game against Ak Bars, taking the puck into the zone and scoring with a wrister. Two more young forwards, Maxim Polkin and Ilya Paranin, are looking to prove themselves in the new season.

What to expect

In the coming season, Neftekhimik is a genuine contender for a playoff place in the East. The big question is whether the new head coach can find a way to make the most of the players at his disposal. The roster in Nizhnekamsk looks stronger this season: if the team can avoid extended slumps and get results against its immediate rivals, a top-eight finish is wholly attainable.