Can Daniil Chayka shine?
The Vegas Golden Knights have a terrific Russian player on the main roster. His name is Pavel Dorofeyev and he had a spectacular 2023-24 campaign. He scored 13 goals in 47 games, elevating his status within the organization. Ironically, the winger got his feet wet at the Rookie Faceoff, showcasing his skills.
There's another Russian playing in the showcase, only he's a defenseman. His name's Daniil Chayka and he's bringing his speed with him. The blue-liner hunts down pucks quickly, closing gaps without any trouble. He's a perfect fit for a forecheck focused on taking away shooting lanes and creating turnovers.
One thing he can improve is his transition game, where he doesn't go zone-to-zone much. But Chayka is a larger defenseman and stands at 6'3", which makes matters complicated. Still, he can start putting pieces of his game together at the upcoming competition, becoming the ideal defenseman for the Golden Knights.