The Carolina Hurricanes have filled their Russian quota, selecting winger Nikita Artamonov with the 50th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Artamonov, 18, is coming off of a tremendous first season in the KHL where he seven goals and 23 points for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod while averaging 14:00 minutes across 54 KHL games.

It's not common for Russian rookies to see much ice time nor production in the top league, so what Artamonov managed is impressive.

The 5-foot-11 left winger has a good offensive skillset, but probably his biggest calling cards is his intelligence and hockey senses

“(Artamonov) might be the smartest Russian in this draft, and that’s saying something,” one scout told The Hockey News. “This guy’s sense is really good, and he has really good compete.”

Artamonov is also a dogged forechecker and is a player who is unafraid of working along the boards or around the net.

Overall, this is a player many saw as a first round talent and Carolina is potentially getting a steal here.