Flames sign Ilya Nikolaev to entry level deal

The Calgary Flames have inked one of their more intriguing prospects. Russian forward Ilya Nikolaev has signed a three year entry level deal, which will begin next season.

Ilya is inked!

The #Flames have signed forward Ilya Nikolaev to an entry-level contract! https://t.co/LJMZw1Xn2d

— y – Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) May 21, 2022

Nikolaev, 20, was the Flames’ fourth round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. A promising two-way centre with an understated offensive touch in Russian hockey, he spent the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons sort of bouncing around a bit throughout Lokomotiv’s system. He played in Russia’s national U20 league (the MHL), their national U18 league (the NMHL), and their secondary pro…