Mikhail Gulyayev was chosen by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, but he recently expressed that he has no intention of playing in the AHL. Originally, the Montreal Canadiens held the 31st overall pick, but they traded it to Colorado in exchange for Alex Newhook. The Avalanche then used that pick to select Gulyayev. Although Gulyayev had previously shown strong interest in playing for the Canadiens, he now faces the reality of being with the Avalanche instead.
This situation casts a shadow on Gulyayev’s character, especially considering he has yet to play a single NHL game. Comparisons are being drawn to Nail Yakupov, another young player who faced similar issues early in his career. The Avalanche now have a few options to consider: they could either wait until 2026 or 2027, when Gulyayev might be ready for the NHL, or they might consider trading him if his current attitude doesn’t align with the team’s values. There’s speculation that the Canadiens might still be interested, given their history of acquiring players with previous behavior concerns.
It’s unclear whether Montreal’s General Manager, Kent Hughes, would have chosen Gulyayev had they retained the 31st pick, but the possibility remains that they could still pursue him if the Avalanche decide to trade him and if the Canadiens are still interested.
At just 19 years old, Gulyayev has immense potential to become a standout player in the NHL. Last season, as a defenseman in the KHL, he recorded 12 points in 64 games. On the other side, Alex Newhook, despite battling injuries, managed to contribute 34 points in the 55 games he played for the Canadiens, showing his value to the team.
Be the first to comment