Blackhawks prospect Roman Kantserov was named one of the three finalists for the KHL’s rookie of the year award on Thursday.
Kantserov, a second-round pick (No. 44) in the 2023 NHL Draft, scored 8 goals with 7 assists in 53 regular-season games with Magnitogorsk Metallurg this season, but he really took off in the playoffs. He scored four goals — three of which were game-winners — and added 9 assists for 13 points thru 23 postseason contests.
The other finalists are both eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft: defenseman Anton Silayev and goaltender Ilya Nabokov.
Scott Powers reported in April that Kantserov signed an extension in the KHL that will keep him in Russia for a couple more years, but expectations are that he will come over when that deal expires. He turns 20 in September.