The Winnipeg Jets went to Russia for their second pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and chose right winger Nikita Chibrikov. He played for various teams within the SKA St. Petersburg system including the KHL. He put up 9 points in 11 games in the MHL, 8 points in 20 games in the VHL, and 2 points in 16 games in the KHL. He also scored 13 points in 7 games including four goals at the World Under 18 Men’s Championship.
Based on scouting reports he sounds like he is a skilled player who can drive play. The questions surrounding him are almost guaranteed to be around the idea that he might never come over. It is what it is and the Jets are right to risk taking a very skilled player who was ranked in the first round via consensus polls of scouts because more skill is always good.
The Jets should be happy to get such a skilled player who had one bad game at the World Under 20 Men’s Championship (aka the World Juniors) and saw his draft stock plummet. Sometimes players have bad days and a team capitalizing on that is a good thing. The Jets benefitting from that is a good thing. Skill is always expensive to acquire which is why home grown skill is always at a premium. Good on the Jets for going for it.
