Back in October 2024, the Colorado Avalanche shocked fans by signing their seventh-round pick from that summer. Nikita Prishchepov came to development camp that summer unsure of what the future held for him and worked hard. And it all paid off for him. The Avs signed Prishchepov to a three-year, entry-level deal that will expire after this season. But will Prishchepov make it through this season as an Avalanche? Or will the Avalanche trade him before the deadline?

Prishchepov’s only call-up

Prishchepov spent the entire month of November 2024 going back and forth between the Avs and the Colorado Eagles. The Russian played 16 games in 36 days. He played ten games for the Avs, averaging just 6:22 of ice time and recording zero points. In the six AHL games, Prishchepov had one goal and one assist during that stretch. For a 20-year-old thrown into the deep end, he held his own.

Why Prishchepov stands out

What has been most impressive about Prishchepov is his willingness to learn. During practice, he frequently picks a veteran’s brain, bombarding them with questions about the situation. But Prishchepov’s willingness to play the body and not the puck made him stand out. He is not afraid to hit anyone along the boards or get to the dirty areas in front of the crease. Most of hist points have come that way, actually.

The forward has done a great job of expanding his game while playing for the Eagles. Because he was young, he had to play on the wing, but last season Mark Letestu trusted him at center. Every game he showed dramatic improvement by leading the play and winning faceoffs. But because of injuries, Prishchepov could only play 22 games. He managed three goals and nine assists and had to sit out the entire playoffs. His checking game showed tremendous improvement. If he can stay healthy this year, he could be a top-six option for the Eagles and a likely call-up for the Avs.

If Prishchepov continues on the same trend that he has for the last two seasons, there is a 50/50 chance that he could be traded. The Avs need to restock their prospects, so it would be a good idea to hold onto the investment. If they do trade him, the Avs could get a late-round pick (sixth or seventh-round). In the long run, it would be worth keeping Prishchepov and letting him build more confidence in the system.