The Vancouver Canucks might be bringing one of their top European prospects across the pond before the season ends. According to reports, the team is looking into the possibility of having Russian defenceman Nikita Tryamkin play with them as early as the end of February.

Tryamkin, who plays for Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg of the Kontinental Hockey League, has been a solid presence for his team this year. The 21-year-old is averaging 17:34 of ice time per game, good for fourth on his team. In a league that relies heavily on their veteran players and runs four defensive pairings, getting that type of regular play is fantastic, especially when you consider that he had a slow start to his year.

The 6’7 defenseman, who grew up in Yekaterinburg and has developed through their extensive system, leads the team in penalty minutes (67) and currently holds career highs in goals (4) and points (11) through 49 games. Tryamkin is described as a bruiser with defensive capabilities, and having to drag his body across international ice has made him a decent skater over the years as well.

As it stands, the Canucks are in a prime position to lure Tryamkin over. He’s in the last year of his contract with Avtomobilist, and the team is currently on the playoff bubble; a last second push by Neftekhimik or Barys could knock them into the ninth seed in the east and end his season as early as February 18th. Even if they do advance, they’re not expected to be the type of team to go an extended run, meaning the Canucks could swoop in and offer him a contract once his year is done.

Doing so mid-season gives Tryamkin a financial incentive to come over, as he’d take in a second payday for the year and also burn off the first year of his entry-level contract. It’s a win-win scenario if that’s the route the teams go; the Canucks get their man, and he has less financial risk.

For now, though, fans will have to play the waiting game. Tryamkin’s next game with Avtomobilist is… right now, actually. He’s on the ice with the team as they take on Ilya Kovalchuk’s SKA St. Petersburg.