San Jose Sharks Prospect Perspective: Blueliner Artemi Kniazev

Artemi Kniazev perspective is part five of a series that will be highlighting some of the prospects within the San Jose Sharks organization.

Earlier this month the San Jose Sharks announced the signing of one their 2019 2nd round picks Artemi Kniazev to an entry-level contract.

The 18-year-old Russian born defender spent last season in the QMJHL with the Chicoutimi Sagueneens. Kniazev appeared in 55 games last season, ending the year with a total of 34 points finishing second in points in overall points among defenseman on his junior club, per eliteprospects.

Artemi Kniazev was the San Jose Sharks first overall selection at 48th in the 2019 draft. The left-handed blueliner is a puck moving defenseman that can help transition the between zones with relative ease. He’s also touted for his above average skating ability which will likely transfer well into the next stage of his development.

A risk taker on offense with excellent vision for the net and his teammates, Kniazev isn’t afraid to jump into the play in the opponent’s end of the ice.  Picking Kniazev falls in line with the trend that Team Teal’s scouting department is valuing skill and skating prowess over the traditional bias of size and strength when it comes to filling out their farm system depth with defenders on both sides.

Selecting this blueliner out  of the QMJHL came as a bit of a surprise to San Jose’s fanbase. He wasn’t ranked in NHL.com’s final top 250 prospect rankings, however he has ranked as a fringe first rounder prior to the start of the season by futureconsiderations.ca eventually dropping to his final spot at 58th.

The Sharks obviously valued him very highly, and assumed a few other teams might as well using their 48th pick instead of potentially at 55. His overall lack of production in the QMJHL and drop in draft status might be a bit of a concern but one has to take into account that last year was his first season in North America. It’s not hard to envision a young player taking some time getting used to a new brand of hockey and a change in lifestyle.

Team Teal now has a few dynamic defenders within their farm system and will likely be targeting more of the same type of skater in the future. But for now the Sharks have players like Merkley, Ferraro and now Knaizev to track as they continue to develop their games.