Habs Goalie Prospect Dominating In Russia

Aside from Jacob Fowler, it is clear that Volokhin is the next best goaltender in the Habs prospect pool as he continues to dominate over in Russia. He has scored 4 goals in one game with Khimik Voskresensk this season. However, when it comes to playing in the KHL, the 20-year-old goaltender has struggled this season, where he has a 3.45 GAA and .870 save percentage through 4 games. With that being said, this season has been a tale of two versions where it seems like Volokhin may be too good to play in the VHL but needs the right support to improve his game at the KHL level.

However, he has played 13 games since his last KHL game, where he has posted a .958 save percentage with a 1.23 GAA, which is one of the best runs that Volokhin has ever had in his pro hockey career. He has also recorded 4 of his 6 shutouts on the season during that run of 13 games. Given the confidence that he has been playing with as of late, it may be a good time for him to be given another shot at the KHL to see if he is able to be successful. Maybe it won’t be in Spartak, but his organization could lend him elsewhere, like they did last year, to see if he has what it takes to be a regular KHL goaltender.

Last year Volokhin played 28 games on loan to HK Sochi of the KHL, where he put up a very respectable. 901 save percentage; however, the rest of his numbers were rough playing on the league’s last place team. Volokhin finished the year with a 4-17-1 record with a 3.45 GAA. Now would be a good time for the Habs prospect to be given a chance with the last-place HK Sochi once again to see if he can improve on those numbers.

Then if he can be a strong KHL netminder, we can then talk about whether or not he has a future in North America as a potential NHL goaltender. Volokhin has the potential to be another late-round find from Russia that could be a solid goaltender in the NHL, similarly to someone like Sergei Bobrovsky. He has all the tools to potentially be a long shot to become one of the best goaltenders in the world as he makes big saves and has great positioning overall, while he dominating the VHL. It is a long shot he becomes a top 10 goaltender but there is still a shot nonetheless. 

The Habs prospect has continuously been among the top netminders at each level he has played over the past few years, which has earned him promotions on the regular, and the truth is he seems ready for the next step in his development, which would be facing the best Russians on a nightly basis.

Even if it is with last-place HK Sochi, it will surely be great for the 20-year-old’s development in hopes that he can become an NHL goaltender one day. While the Habs do have Fowler, who is looking like he will be the guy, having other options like Volokhin will do them great, plus if he continues to develop, he could also be a good trade piece. With all that being said, it is time for Volokhin to show what he can do in the KHL.

Do you think Volokhin’s current numbers suggest he’s ready for the KHL, or should he continue to dominate the VHL for his development?