We are back with our 2025 mid-season edition of our CanucksArmy top 20 Vancouver Canucks prospect rankings.

Now is probably a good time to set another reminder to review our rankings’ criteria (Honorable Mentions). It’s crucial to know because these rankings are missing some names that may be in other ranks. Ultimately, that bumps every player up a few spots.

If you are curious about our ranking criteria, check them out in our Honourable Mentions installment.

Number 4 is…

Team: Abbotsford Canucks | Age: 21 | Position: Defence | Height: 5’11″ | Weight: 201 lbs | Shoots: Left | Drafted: Seventh round, 208 overall, 2022 | Last year’s rank: 7

The seventh round of the NHL draft is often a spot for long-shot, boom-or-bust types, most of whom have an extremely low probability of reaching the NHL.

After all, just 42 players drafted in that round over the last 10 years have donned an NHL jersey, and only 26 of those have seen more than 10 games.

However, Kirill Kudryavtsev is demonstrating a positive trajectory and seems on track to potentially defy these odds.

Since his 2022 draft selection, Kudryavtsev has consistently added new layers to his game. Initially recognized for his offensive production – highlighted by a 50-point draft-plus-one season with the Soo Greyhounds – he shifted focus to refining his two-way play. This resulted in a remarkable plus-44 improvement in his plus/minus rating across one season.

What makes him so impressive is that he’s incredibly in tune with his game and understands where and what needs to be worked on to stay relevant among his peers.

He’s now focused on translating these skills to the professional level, a transition he’s passing with flying colours early on.

While Kudryavtsev may not possess any single elite skill – as you might expect from a seventh-round draftee – his poise, competitiveness, and versatility have enabled him to translate his game from level to level.

Beginning with a trial on the third pairing amidst a competitive Abbotsford blueline, he has quickly earned a consistent role in all situations.

His ice time has steadily increased, from limited minutes to over 20 in some cases, which includes quarterbacking the team’s second power play unit. Heck, he’s even shown versatility. This allows him to play both the right and left side of the ice, providing Head Coach Manny Malhotra with flexible options at any given time.

Though not the most physical player, he utilizes an incredibly active stick in the defensive end to pressure opponents, forcing turnovers and untimely mistakes. Whether clogging up lanes, swiping pucks aside, or just placing it in the general vicinity of the player, his work with his stick is a masterclass.

Offensively, Kudryavtsev displays excellent vision, using his accurate stretch pass to move the puck up quickly and create scoring opportunities for teammates. He confidently executes give-and-go plays in the offensive zone and shows a unique poise with the plays he connects with.

At the time of this writing, he sits second among Abbotsford Canucks defencemen in points (21) but led the corps for some time earlier in the season. Those numbers are quite impressive among his peers, with the fifth-highest points totals among U21 defenders.

While the package is nowhere near complete, the evolution of Kudryavtsev’s game, which he’s now demonstrated at the professional level, is nothing short of impressive.

While the absence of any genuine elite traits might limit his potential for a prominent NHL role, his ability to adapt to the level of play suggests that there’s at least a chance.

As far as seventh-round picks go, you can’t ask for more in a young prospect.

Ceiling: Kudryavtsev’s ceiling is a reliable and versatile NHL defenceman capable of playing various roles. His hockey IQ and developing two-way game could allow him to grow into a solid four-to-six transitional defender.

Floor: Kudryavtsev’s floor is a solid AHL defender with NHL call-up potential. His well-rounded game and consistent development make him valuable at the AHL level, where he could become a veteran leader.

ETA: Despite just recently tuning 21, Kudryavtsev already finds himself closely on the NHL cusp. Don’t be shocked to see him enjoy a cup of coffee within the next calendar year. While the opportunity to crack the NHL lineup may be more daunting than initially anticipated, he could be ready by mid-season 2025-26 to see full-time minutes.

The issue? The defensive corps is only getting stronger, and with the surge of fellow rookie Elias Pettersson and the addition of Marcus Pettersson on the left side, that timeline may be extended out of necessity.

That’s our #4 spot. Stay tuned for another installment later today here at CanucksArmy.