Yegor Rykov

Yegor Rykov signs entry-level contract with Rangers

Posted on by Adam Rotter in Yegor Rykov

5/20/19 | 4:06PM: Rykov’s Euro assignment clause is only for the second year of his contract. (Larry Brooks)
10AM: The Rangers have confirmed that Rykov has signed his entry-level contract.

From the Rangers release:

  • Skated in 47 games with HC Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) this past season, registering three goals and six assists for nine points, along with eight penalty minutes.
  • Among KHL defensemen younger than 22 years old, Rykov tied for second in points, tied for third in goals and assists, and tied for fifth in games played in 2018-19.
  • He tied for second on HC Sochi in average ice time this past season (19:24), and he was also tied for second among team defensemen in goals in 2018-19.
  • Rykov tallied seven of his nine points during the season over his final 20 regular season games (two goals, five assists in those 20 contests).
  • The 6-3, 225-pounder also skated in six games during the 2019 Gagarin Cup Playoffs with HC Sochi, recording three assists. Rykov led KHL defensemen younger than 22 years old in assists and points in the playoffs.
  • He led HC Sochi in average ice time (21:36) in the playoffs, and he logged at least 23:00 of ice time in four of the six games.
  • Rykov ranked second on HC Sochi in assists and tied for third on the team in points in the playoffs, and he led defensemen on the team in both categories.
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5/17/19 | Renaud Lavoie tweets that Rangers prospect Yegor Rykov will sign a two-year entry level contract.

The contract includes European Assignment clauses that would allow him to return to the KHL.

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Rykov was acquired by the Rangers in 2018 from the Devils, along with a second-round pick for Michael Grabner.

Rykov, 22, is a left shot defenseman that has five goals, 28 assists and an average of 14:21 per game in 157 regular season KHL games.

In 36 career KHL playoff games Rykov has 5 assists and an average of 12:16 per game.

He played last season with Sochi after playing previously with SKA as a teammate of Igor Shesterkin.

From the Rangers Prospect Reports since Rykov was acquired:

  • 2/26/18: “We really like the way he plays the game. He’s a physical player, he’s a big player who can move a puck, and he’s a real competitor.” – Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton
  • 4/8/19: Yegor Rykov continues to lead all KHL defensemen 22 years old or younger in assists (three) and points (three) in the 2019 Gagarin Cup Playoffs despite not playing in a game since Mar. 7. Rykov registered three assists/points in six playoff games with HC Sochi this year and averaged 21:36 of ice time per game in the playoffs. He also recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) during the regular season with HC Sochi; Rykov tied for second among KHL defensemen younger than 22 years old in points during the regular season in 2018-19.

Rykov was ranked 10th by The Athletic in their rankings of the Rangers top prospects.

Chris Drury told The Athletic that Rykov played “a ton” for Sochi in the KHL in the playoffs and was counted on to play in a number of different roles. (The Athletic)