IVAN RYABKIN

Center/Wing
6’0/170
Left
MHK Dynamo Moskva/MHL

Related: James Hagens

Ivan Ryabkin is the next dynamic Russian player to enter the NHL joining Matvei Michkov and Ivan Demidov before him. Ryabkin has with a high-end skillset and release and finished sixth in MHL scoring with 58 points in 44 games, a 1.32 point per game average, and winning best rookie for the league. Ryabkin is a different kind of talent from Matvei Michkov or Ivan Demidov, as he is more of a two-way center. He’s versatile, strong, and has a good hockey IQ. He can create chances for himself and his teammates. Ryabkin is an equal parts playmaker and goal scorer, being a relentless offensive creator in the attacking zone. He attacks with a quick pace and his speed catches opponents off guard. He’s always finding the middle of the ice to unleash a swift and powerful release with his shot and his playmaking is just as impressive. He’s great at manipulating situations fooling defenders and showing great hands in the small areas of the ice. Like most Michkov and Demidov, the skill that he has is undeniable, but the Russian factor will scare teams away, so it will be interesting to see where he falls to in the draft, even though he is a top 5 prospect.

Size/Strength Average
Skating Excellent
Shot/Scoring Excellent
Puckhandling Excellent
Physical Play Below Average
Offensive Play Excellent
Defensive Play Average
Hockey Sense Excellent
Competitiveness Excellent

Strengths

1. He’s a strong skater with a terrific release; his quick hands and puck skills are up at the top of the class.
2. Has a fantastic shot release and has some of the best hands in this class, allowing him to dangle opponents with ease.
3. His high-end vision allows him to read the play and anticipate his teammates, and his instincts are good off the puck as well.

Areas of Improvement

1. Has Average size and needs to improve his strength in the trenches.
2. Needs to improve play on the defensive end.
3. Is Under Contract in Russian until 2027.

Scouting Report

Ivan Ryabkin’s 18 points in 10 contests were good enough to lead all 2025 NHL Draft-eligible skaters in the MHL through January. The early favorite for the top spot out of Russia in next year’s draft has had no issues finding his game at the junior level. Ryabkin’s playmaking and hockey sense stand out from his peers. His 13 assists last month led the league and he’s the fourth most productive player in the MHL since the start of December. It’s clear that he’s more comfortable as a distributor than a finisher, but he has a dangerous shot that’s allowed him to find twine eight times this season. Over this season, Ryabkin had the most productive year in the MHL ever for a U17 player. He surpassed Matvei Michkov’s U17 total by two points but did it in 12 fewer games. He is a dual-shot-pass threat and makes a lot of plays all over the ice. His 43 points rank eighth all-time among draft-minus-one skaters in Russia’s top junior league and put him on pace to move up to the No. 2 spot in the 2025 Draft Ranking by season’s end. He’s a strong skater with a terrific release; his quick hands and puck skills are up at the top of the class. His high-end vision allows him to read the play and anticipate his teammates, and his instincts are good off the puck as well. He’s got a fantastic shot release and has some of the best hands in this class, allowing him to dangle opponents with ease. He’s got a contract until 2027, so get ready to hear the same conversations we’ve heard about Michkov, but the six-foot center is so fascinating. The best comparison for Ivan Ryabkin is Montreal’s 5th overall pick in 2024, Ivan Demidov, but he isn’t in the NHL yet, so the best NHL comparison to me would be Evgeny Kuznetsov when he was a prospect coming into the NHL. Because of the fact that Ryabkin is under contract in Russia until 2027, teams will pass over him but as seen with Matvei Michkov, contracts can be terminated if he isn’t utilized by their KHL club. In terms of raw talent, Ryabkin should be a top 3 pick, but political factors will drop him in rankings and in the draft.

Skill: Dynamic Center with terrific skating skills, Playmaking ability, scoring, vision, and IQ

NHL Comparable: Evgeny Kuznetsov

NHL Potential: 1st Line Center

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2023-24	MHK Dynamo Moskva	MHL	44	24	58
	Russia U17	International-JR	6	4	11
2024-25	MHK Dynamo Moskva	MHL	2	0	3