A far-away forward flashes just enough potential to remain intriguing
The 2024 version of our Pensburgh Top 25 Under 25 countdown list continues on with a far-away forward that lingers only on the very periphery of the organization.
Graduates and departed players from last year’s list
The best of the rest
#25: Raivis Ansons
Tankov suffered a major neck injury that wiped his 2022-23 season off the board. In 2023-24, statistically he got about to the level of 2021-22 to get back from that injury, which is a credit to him for that. However, as far as NHL prospects go, the clock is starting to tick a little louder. Tankov is 22 and barely more than a rumor. He’s yet to make his KHL debut, let alone come anywhere figuratively or literally close to the American pro ranks.
And yet, there’s still just enough to keep holding out hope. Tankov producing 13 points (8G+5A)_in 11 VHL playoff games was enough to get him ranked back in the T25U25 for the first time since 2022 and pre-broken neck. (A reminder that Russia’s VHL league is similar to what the AHL is to the NHL).
Kirill Tankov scored 7 goals in 7 games to help SKA-Neva St. Petersburg advance in the VHL playoffs, including 2 goals in the deciding game! Read the latest #ArnoldSlickFromTurtleCreek Prospect Report at https://t.co/lA0o1LRaRx!#NHL #PittsburghPenguins #PenguinsProspects pic.twitter.com/WiM9YNnwl1
— Arnold Slick From Turtle Creek (@ASFTCProspects) March 12, 2024
There’s very little to see or know about Tankov outside of the random twitter highlight. He’s got good size and his hands and offensive ability are hard to miss and easy to see. Tankov is a player that can make things happen.
#LetsGoPens prospect Kirill Tankov with 2 goals today including this beauty game-winner in OT to give SKA Neva a 1-0 lead in their series vs Orsk. #VHLplayoffs pic.twitter.com/qTGfLdnMa4
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) February 22, 2024
But, as much as since he was drafted in 2020, the question remains about how, when or if Tankov will ever be giving a crack at North American hockey. Player’s statuses can change quickly there — see Sergei Murashov unexpectedly attending Penguins’ summer prospect camp and then eventually choosing to sign. Tankov’s Elite Prospects profile indicates he is under contact for the 2024-25 season, so it probably won’t be any time soon.
The Penguins may not exactly know just what they have in Tankov, but his combination of hands and size remain appealing, if very distant.
