Avs first-round pick Mikhail Gulyayev refuses to play in North America

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Daniel Lucente
August 9, 2024 (12:47)

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Mikhail Gulyayev was selected in the first round at the 2023 NHL draft by the Colorado Avalanche, and has just stated he has no plans to play in the AHL.

The Montreal Canadiens initially had a 31st overall draft pick that was eventually traded to the Colorado Avalanche to acquire Alex Newhook. Colorado then used that draft pick to select Mikhail Gulyayev at the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Gulyayev was a little bummed that he wouldn't be going to the Habs, as he did once state he had a lot of interest to want to play for them.

It has now been reported that Gulyayev is refusing to report to the American Hockey League (AHL), as for him it's either the NHL or bust. This latest development was reported by Colorado journalist Evan Rawal.

"My path to the NHL is to come and play right away. I'm pursuing my dream and am not interested in anything else. I'm not against the AHL; it's a good league, but if I go to America to play, I will only play in the NHL."

- Mikhail Gulyayev

This is not a good look on a young athlete's character especially that he hasn't even played a single game in the NHL yet. This has signs of Nail Yakupov all over again. The Avalanche are now going to be faced with a few choices. They can either wait until 2026 or 2027 at which point Gulyayev should be ready for the NHL, or they can look to trade him if they aren't happy having someone with this type of behavior in their organisation. Perhaps the Habs would be interested as they seem to enjoy taking players that have had behavior problems in the past.

"In a new interview with RGSafePlay, Avalanche first-round pick Mikhail Gulyayev made it clear that he's taking his time to make it to the NHL, the only North American league he wants to play in."

- Evan Rawal

While there is no official confirmation as to whether GM Kent Hughes and the Canadiens would have selected Gulyayev if they still had the 31st overall pick, they may have a chance to get him after all, should the Avs look to trade him and should the Habs still have any interest.

Mikhail Gulyayev is only 19 years old and has so much potential to be a breakout star in the NHL one day. In his 64 games as a defenseman in the KHL last season, he put up 12 points.

Alex Newhook was also sharp for the Canadiens when he wasn't dealing with injuries, as he managed to scrape up 34 points in the 55 games he suited up for the Habs.

Source: HockeyDB
Mikhail Gulyayev & Alex Newhook Stats