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Review of the season: Torpedo. Second season syndrome and Atanasov’s growth
KHL.ru continues reviewing the 2023-2024 season for the league’s teams as Torpedo gets under the lens. Once again the Nizhny Novgorod franchise launched several young players, had several excellent games, but was slightly less successful, with a first-round exit in the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
In the 2022-2023 season, the Nizhny Novgorod club was the biggest revelation – with attacking hockey, Igor Larionov behind the bench, and a young team that didn't bow to authority. All this helped Torpedo secure fourth place in the West and advance to the second round of the playoffs. However, judging by the results, Nizhny Novgorod did not escape the “second season syndrome,” finishing only seventh in the West and being eliminated by SKA in the first round. That said, Torpedo had a strong start of the regular season with five straight wins, averaging more than four goals per game. In the fall, Torpedo continued to shine: the team avoided long losing streaks, and their victories were often spectacular – for example, against Lokomotiv (5:2), Dynamo Moscow (7:1), and Avtomobilist (4:2). However, there were also some unnecessary setbacks – such as defeats to Vityaz (1:2), Neftekhimik (3:4 OT), and twice to Sochi (2:3, 1:3). As a result, Larionov’s team lost seven games in a row at the end of the season, causing concern among Nizhny Novgorod fans before the start of the Gagarin Cup playoffs.
In the first round of the elimination stage, Torpedo faced SKA and, unexpectedly for many considering their current form, confidently won the first game of the series (5:2). The key moment of the confrontation was the second match, in which Nizhny Novgorod led 2:0, but the teams ended up playing into the second OT, with the St. Petersburg team celebrating a victory (3:2 OT). In the following matches, Torpedo seemed to run out of steam, with each game ending in a three-goal defeat for Nizhny Novgorod, and the fifth game being a shutout (2:5, 1:4, 0:3).
Best players
71 games, 49 (26+23) points
Numbers at hand, Letunov was Torpedo’s best player in the 2023-2024 season – the team’s top scorer and sniper, the player with the most power-play goals (14), and the best differential (+15). As a team leader, he received a lot of ice time, was on the ice during crucial moments of the games, and scored important goals. The only thing that “marred” the impression of his performance (which can be said about the entire team) was the result in the playoffs: only one goal and no assists in five games.
51 games, 43 (22+21) points
In the 2023-2024 season, Atanasov transitioned from a promising forward to one of Torpedo’s main stars and became a fan favorite not only in Nizhny Novgorod but across the country. In the regular season, he almost achieved a “point-per-game” pace, with 40 points in 46 games. Throughout the year, he scored in power plays, penalty kills, and at even strength. It’s worth noting that Vasily is not only effective on the ice but also plays with flair, which makes him a beloved figure among the Nizhny Novgorod fans.
70 games, 29 (6+23) points
Konyushkov made a name for himself back in the 2022-2023 season, and in the past campaign, he managed to slightly increase his scoring. At 21 years old, this player is the leader of Nizhny Novgorod’s defense, playing with a maturity beyond his years. His importance to the club and his irreplaceability are best highlighted by his time on ice – he averaged 23 minutes and 34 seconds per game, the highest on Torpedo.
Coaching
In the 2022-2023 season, Igor Larionov won over a significant part of the hockey community with himself and his team. However, the coach too seemed to experience a second season syndrome, sometimes trying to find reasons for the team’s losses in external circumstances. Additionally, the fact that experienced players Anton Sizov and Alexei Kruchinin were excluded from the roster during the season didn’t add to Larionov’s credentials. Despite this, it would be foolish to deny the coach’s contribution to Torpedo’s development and his skilled work with young players – under his guidance, Nizhny Novgorod’s talents are progressing by leaps and bounds, and this is a fact. In January 2024, Torpedo announced the signing of a new three-year contract with the head coach, which is a positive move for the club. Under Larionov’s leadership, the team will continue to follow the chosen path. This development strategy is bearing fruit – the franchise enjoyed results, exciting gameplay, fan support, and the growth of promising players.
Best game
Torpedo played many spectacular games last season, but the first playoff game against SKA was particularly special. After a series of defeats at the end of the regular season, fans were wondering if the Nizhny Novgorod team could put up a fight against the St. Petersburg powerhouse. As it turned out, they could: Atanasov and Sergei Goncharuk each scored twice, Torpedo maintained control throughout the match, and secured a convincing victory.
Youngsters
Torpedo is a club where coaches readily trust young players, and this trust is fully justified. Last season, the Nizhny Novgorod side involved 15 U23 players. Some of them are already key leaders of the team, such as Konyushkov, Atanasov, and Vladislav Firstov.
Among those who made a significant impact in the 2023-2024 season, the standout was defenseman Anton Silayev. The towering defenseman made his KHL debut at just 17 years old, was named Rookie of the Week and Month in the league, and was shortlisted for the Alexei Cherepanov Award at the end of the season.
Also notable on defense are Dmitry Breus and Arseny Varlakov – the former even played for the Kazakhstan national team at the World Championship. Among the forwards, the 18-year-old Nikita Artamonov stood out, scoring 23 points (7+16) in 59 games – an impressive result for his debut season in the KHL.
Summer work
On the transfer market, Torpedo is currently one of the most active clubs in the league. The Nizhny Novgorod team has signed 10 players from the VHL, acquiring some as free agents and others through trades. Among the newcomers are players who have already made a name for themselves in the KHL. The most well-known is Dmitry Kagarlitsky, who has lined up for Dynamo Moscow, SKA, and Ak Bars. Another notable addition is Anton Berlyov, a center who moved in from Vladivostok. Mikhail Abramov, whose rights were previously acquired from CSKA, has also joined Torpedo from the AHL.
As for losses, the main one is the departure of team leader Nikolai Kovalenko to North America. Additionally, defenseman Mark Marin was traded to Severstal, with Alexei Kruchinin also moving to Cherepovets.
