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Nikita Chibrikov is a participant I’ve been protecting a detailed eye on ever because the Winnipeg Jets drafted him. And the day he steps right into a full-time NHL position may very well be simply across the nook—hopefully as early as subsequent season.
Chibrikov, 22, has spent the previous two seasons with the Jets’ AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, whereas additionally making transient appearances within the NHL. In 2023–24, he performed 70 video games with the Moose, scoring 17 targets and tallying 47 factors. He additionally acquired a style of the NHL within the Jets’ closing common season sport in opposition to the Vancouver Canucks, the place he made an instantaneous impression by scoring his first profession NHL purpose.
FIRST GAME, FIRST GOAL 👏
Take a bow, Nikita Chibrikov! pic.twitter.com/tKv90yIE0F
— NHL (@NHL) April 19, 2024
Quick ahead to 2024–25: it was a tricky season for each Chibrikov and the Moose. Manitoba completed with the worst report in franchise historical past (25-41-3-3), and Chibrikov suffered a season ending damage in a sport in opposition to the Toronto Marlies on January nineteenth, 2025. But, he nonetheless managed to place up 20 factors in simply 30 AHL video games and earned one other call-up to the NHL.
He appeared in 4 video games with the Jets this previous season, scoring two targets and including an help. That’s spectacular manufacturing for a participant with restricted NHL expertise—and it exhibits he can contribute when given the chance.
Nikita Chibrikov scores his first of the season to make it 8-1 @NHLJets! 😳 pic.twitter.com/msQSGlgyYU
— NHL (@NHL) December 11, 2024
Regardless of standing simply five-foot-ten, Chibrikov is an offensively-minded winger with wonderful skating capacity. He’s relentless within the offensive zone, has slick arms, and owns a powerful shot. But when he desires to develop into a extra full participant, his defensive sport might want to enhance. The offensive potential is clearly there, and the easiest way for him to take the subsequent step is by enjoying extra NHL minutes. With open spots on the Jets’ third line, there’s no purpose that chance shouldn’t come quickly.
Drafted fiftieth total within the second spherical of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Chibrikov now finds himself in prime place. With the departure of Mason Appleton, there’s an actual probability for him to slip into the third-line proper wing spot. He is also a stable match on the second power-play unit, the place his net-front presence or shot may very well be actual threats.
With a number of holes nonetheless left to fill on the Jets’ roster, it could be silly to not give Chibrikov an actual shot this fall.
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