The season is quickly approaching, which means it’s time to look towards the future. We do that every year with the Five For Howling 25 Under 25, ranking the Coyotes’ best players under 25. For this year’s rankings, I am joined by James Reeve (@JamesRJReeve), Mike Gould (@miketgould), Haynes Evans (@HaynesPEvans), and Matthew Jacobson (@TheAZSportsGuy).
Ivan Prosvetov
2022-23 League: AHL (Tucson Roadrunners), NHL (Arizona Coyotes)
Games Played: 35, 7
Goals-Against Average: 3.06, 3.98
Save Percentage: .900, .880
AHL Playoffs Games Played: 3
AHL Playoffs Goals-Against Average: 5.27
AHL Playoffs Save Percentage: .845
Highest Rating: 11
Lowest Rating: 19
Drafted 114th overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Ivan Prosvetov quickly shot up the ranks as the Arizona Coyotes’ goaltender of the future. Whether or not he is still is remains to be seen.
After being drafted, Prosvetov spent a year in the OHL with the Saginaw Spirit and put up some respectable numbers. The following year, he went pro, playing five games in the ECHL with the Rapid City Rush and then 27 games with the Tucson Roadrunners, where he posted an impressive .909 save percentage.
Prosvetov may have quickly jumped from minors to the AHL, but he has had issues making the jump to the NHL. He played a career-high seven games with the big club last season, but his .880 goals-against average and 3.98 are what you want from an NHL player.
But his play was good enough to earn a one-year, two-way extension for $775,000 in the NHL and $225,000 in the minors with a $300,000 guarantee. He will still be an RFA when the season ends and will be arbitration-eligible.
Prosvetov is in a tough position right now. He is still young, and most goaltenders tend to hit their peak later, so there is no reason to suspect he is a bust. But the Coyotes claimed Connor Ingram off waivers last season and re-signed him to a three-year $5.85 deal after a 27-game run that saw him finish with a 3.36 goals-against average and .907 save percentage.
Next season is going to be a big one for Prosvetov. If he gets called up, he needs to find a way to stand out and prove that he is ready to be in the NHL full-time. If he can’t do that, he may find himself in the AHL unless another team is willing to take a chance on him.