Poltapov’s consistency and Kantserov and Atanasov’s breakout. December top youngsters
Commentator for KHL TV channels and expert at KHL.ru, Anton Vasyatin, presents the top ten most prominent young players (U23) in the league based on their performance in 2024 last month.
10. Vitaly Pinchuk, forward (2002, Dinamo Minsk)
Player’s rating: 2.33
Despite Dinamo Minsk acquiring experienced forwards, Vitaly Pinchuk not only remained a key figure in his team’s offense but also retained his position as the first-line center. He performed well in December, starting the month with a game-winning goal and three points in a matchup against Sibir (the Bisons won 5:4 on the road). A few days later, he scored in Khabarovsk when Dinamo was trailing (they ultimately secured a 5:2 victory).
Later in the month, Pinchuk assisted on two first-period goals against Ak Bars and opened the scoring in the game against Lokomotiv. Dmitry Kvartalnov’s team won both of these matches in regulation time. In most of December’s games, Pinchuk won at least 50% of his faceoffs and made numerous other valuable contributions.
9. Ivan Demidov, forward (2005, SKA)
Player’s rating: 2.42
Recognizing Ivan Demidov’s level of skill and involvement in the game, his breakthrough in the KHL was only a matter of time. In December, he delivered the best goal-scoring streak of his career, spanning four games (which he extended into early January). The SKA forward scored once in even-strength play in matches against Torpedo, Admiral, CSKA (1+1), and HC Sochi (1+1), demonstrating an incredible level of composure in certain moments.
His goal in the challenging game against Torpedo turned out to be the game-winner. Demidov finished all of these games with a positive rating. In every December match, he registered shots on goal, even when his ice time was under ten minutes. Notably, at the end of December, during the game against HC Sochi, the young forward set a personal record for ice time in the KHL, spending 18 minutes and 56 seconds on the ice.
8. Danila Yurov, forward (2003, Metallurg)
Player’s rating: 2.56
Since last season, Danila Yurov has started playing in the middle and managed to adapt to the new role fairly quickly. This season, his faceoff win percentage has also improved, with the young player winning around 60% of faceoffs in some games (and occasionally even more) in December.
In terms of scoring, the Metallurg forward earned four points in eight games during December, including a double against Salavat Yulaev and a goal in the away game against Torpedo. In both cases, Yurov scored the game-winning goals. He finished the month with a plus-6rating, along with 21 shots on goal, eight hits, nine takeaways, two steals, and seven blocked shots.
7. Alexander Smolin, goalie (2003, Metallurg)
Player’s rating: 2.88
In December, Metallurg’s goalie Alexander Smolin played five full games and won four of them — earning Andrei Razin's team the maximum points in matchups against Torpedo, Lada, Salavat Yulaev, and Avangard. Notably, Smolin recorded a shutout against Lada, making 28 saves. It was the second shutout of his career.
In the game against Avangard, Metallurg’s goalie stopped 36 shots, marking his second-highest save total in a single KHL game.
6. Prokhor Poltapov, forward (2003, CSKA)
Player’s rating: 2.92
CSKA’s season has been far from consistent, but one thing that remains unchanged is the outstanding performance of the line of Poltapov, Sorkin, and Abramov line. Prokhor Poltapov, still considered a young player, rightfully earns his spot on this list. In ten December games, the forward tallied eight points, most of which were assists. His lone goal came in a hard-fought derby against Spartak, where CSKA secured a 5:4 OT victory.
Poltapov’s stats include 22 shots on goal, three takeaways, three pass interceptions, three blocked shots, and four hits. He finished December with a plus-6 differential. In nearly every shift, Prokhor stands out, whether through his actions with the puck or his aggression without it, often creating challenges for opponents.
5. Daniil Orlov, defenseman (2003, Spartak)
Player’s rating: 3.05
With increased trust from the coaching staff, Daniil Orlov’s productivity and overall impact on Spartak’s game have grown significantly. This was already evident in November, and in December, the defenseman further solidified his status. Over the course of seven games in the month, Orlov recorded six points, including goals against Barys and Vityaz.
He finished December with a plus-6 differential and did not post a negative rating in any game (accumulating only two minuses throughout the month). Orlov registered shots on goal in all but one game and managed to block eight shots aimed at his team’s net. In most games, his ice time exceeded 18 minutes.
4. Semyon Vyazovoi, goalie (2003, Salavat Yulaev)
Player’s rating: 3.18
Semyon Vyazovoi played only three games in December, but each one was a win. The young netminder allowed just one goal, which came during a home game against Sibir while his team was shorthanded. Following that, Vyazovoi recorded two shutouts — against Amur (a 3:0 victory with 32 saves) and Barys (a 6:0 win with 17 saves).
His final save percentage for the month stood at an impressive 98.5%. It’s becoming increasingly clear: one of the League’s top goalies, Alexander Samonov, has a very worthy partner developing behind him.
3. Danil Aimurzin, forward (2002, Severstal)
Player’s rating: 3.65
Danil Aimurzin is Severstal’s top-line center and one of the most effective players in the KHL right now. In December, the young forward tallied twelve points in ten games, scoring against Avangard, Traktor, HC Sochi, Avtomobilist (a double), Neftekhimik, and Ak Bars (another double). Impressively, four of Aimurzin’s goals turned out to be game-winners.
In eight of the ten games, he won at least 50% of his faceoffs, and overall, he registered 34 shots on goal. In one of the games against HC Sochi, Aimurzin notched three assists — the first time in his KHL career he achieved such a feat.
2. Vasily Atanasov, forward (2002, Torpedo)
Player’s rating: 3.68
In December, Vasily Atanasov began to steadily return to the level of productivity expected of him in Nizhny Novgorod. Over eight games, the forward recorded ten points, making an impact in matchups against Lada, Vityaz, SKA, Barys, and Kunlun Red Star. In the games against Lada and SKA, Atanasov registered 1+2 each (having previously recorded three points in a game only once this season).
On average, he took at least three shots on goal per game, while also contributing seven takeaways, seven hits, and three blocked shots. Atanasov’s resurgence is excellent news for Igor Larionov’s team, which is fighting to secure a spot in the top eight of the Western Conference’s standings.
1. Roman Kantserov, forward (2004, Metallurg)
Player’s rating: 3.88
Roman Kantserov’s breakout resembles what happened with Danila Yurov at the same age last season. Considering the skill level of these forwards, such progress was to be expected. In December, the 20-year-old Kanserov played eight games, scoring once against Avtomobilist and recording doubles in matches against Avangard (including the game-winner) and Dynamo Moscow.
However, his standout performance came against Lada on Dec 5th, when Andrei Razin’s team collected a 4:0 road win, largely thanks to Kantserov’s first KHL hat trick. In December, he delivered 18 hits and took 27 shots on goal, with a scoring efficiency of nearly 30%.
