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).
Ilya Fedotov
2022-23 League: MHL (Chaika Nizhny Novgorod) – KHL (Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod/Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk)
Games Played: 11 – 2/40
Goals: 6-0/9
Assists: 3 – 0/5
Highest Rating: 12
Lowest Rating: Not Rated
Drafted 43rd overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Ilya Fedotov may be the Coyotes’ most underrated prospect. He has played significant games in the KHL, meaning he has plenty of experience playing against adults.
Fedotov made his KHL debut during the 2020-21 season, and he has improved year after year. He scored a career-high nine goals in 40 games when he was loaned to Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, a massive jump up from his prior season, which saw him score two goals in 35 games with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod.
Russian prospects don’t get as much attention, but what little you can find about Fedotov impresses. Luke Warren of Inside The Rink says, “[t]he sky is the limit for Ilya Fedotov” and has a great breakdown of his game.
“Visually, Fedotov is a powerful skater when you watch him play. He is quick, agile, and is a threat moving through the neutral zone. He pairs his puck handling and agility with the ability to find the net. He is equipped with a lethal shot and can easily be a point-per-game player at lower levels.”
Ilya Fedotov is still young and needs time to develop, but he seems close to ready to make the trip over to the NHL. If he comes over and hits, he could be a critical secondary piece for the Arizona Coyotes.