The NHL season is just around the corner, but all around the hockey world, multiple leagues have already started up.
The Russian leagues started up at the beginning of September and now the rest of the European leagues have followed suit.
The only leagues still waiting is the North American ones such as the NHL, AHL, ECHL, NCAA, and the three CHL leagues (OHL, WHL, QMJHL).
However, the European leagues have had more than enough going on to warrant talking about.
2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase
Before we jump into the breakdown, I'll also take a minute to highlight the 2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase.
The Carolina Hurricanes' prospects went 3-0 at the showcase and looked like a team playing the Hurricanes' style to a 'T.'
Here are the game breakdowns if you want to check those out:
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Those prospects in turn are currently with the Canes in Raleigh for NHL training camp, but will start spreading out to teams in the coming days. When that happens, I'll start adding them to the Radar Watch breakdowns.
KHL
It was first-goal central as of late for the Hurricanes prospects in the KHL.
Timur Mukhanov (2023, 6th) has played in every game with Severstal Cherepovets this year, but he's getting very limited ice time when up in the KHL.
The 18 year old had a stint back in the MHL for two games during a long break for Severstal and got over 20 minutes of playing time in each game, so perhaps that'd be better for his overall development.
Despite the minute limit, Mukhanov did manage to score his first-ever KHL goal in the opening minute of a game as he crashed to the net.
Alexander Rykov (2023, 4th) earned his first callup to the KHL this season with Traktor Chelyabinsk and in his first game, he managed to score his first ever KHL goal.
He's got a rifle of the shot and it's impressive to see it in both the VHL and now the KHL too.
Stanislav Yarovoi (2023, 4th) picked up his first two goals of the season in rather quick succession after a bit of a slow start to the season for Vityaz Moscow Region.
Not only his shooting, but his passing and all around play.
Alexander Nikishin (2020, 3rd) continues to dominate, despite the overall struggles of SKA St. Petersburg. I mean just watch these hits.
And also this shot...
And again, he won't be coming to North America till 2025 at the earliest.
Nikita Guslistov (2021, 7th) returned from injury to Severstal on September 16 after missing the start of the season.
VHL
Rykov earned the callup to the KHL due to his continued dominance of the VHL. He had three goals and eight points in eight games with Chelmet Chelyabinsk so it made sense why he's with Traktor for the time being.
Vladimir Grudinin (2022, 5th) was sent down from CSKA Moscow in the KHL last week and now he's doing fairly well for himself with Krasnaya Armiya.
He's getting a more significant amount of playing time at the very least.
Gleb Trikozov (2022, 2nd) has struggled to produce at the VHL level this season, and because of that, he's been sent down to the MHL.
MHL
However, since getting demoted, Trikozov has started to find his scoring touch again with two goals and four points in two games.
Goaltender Ruslan Khazheyev (2023, 5th) continues to have a tremendous start to his season with Belye Medvedi having won four straight games.
He's posting an incredible save percentage and even picked up a shutout in his most recent outing.
SHL
Simon Forsmark (2022, 4th) has started his season playing on the second pair for Timra IK. He's currently in the red in terms of Corsi Percentage, but he's been physical and perhaps the passing is a hidden gem.
Joel Nystrom (2021, 7th) has played on the second and top pair for Farjestad BK and is rocking pretty much an even Corsi. He's getting power play time too, but has not gotten any points yet on the season.
HockeyAllsvenskan
The lone Hurricane in HockeyAllsvenskan, Zion Nybeck (2020, 4th) scored in his team's first game although AIK IF fell in its season opener.
Liiga
Since the start of the season, Ville Koivunen (2021, 2nd) and Tuukka Tieksola (2019, 4th) have each gone a bit dry. Both get a good amount of ice time, but they haven't found their scoring touch yet.
However, Tieksola's one goal this season for Rauman Lukko, an overtime winner no less, was pretty sick.
Goaltender Patrik Hamrla (2021, 3rd) joined Ilves Tampere this season but was the third-string netminder there, so it may be a bit of time before he gets his first game in Liiga.
Mestis
However, Hamrla was loaned to KOOVEE in Mestis, Finland's second league, and picked up the victory in his first start, a 3-2 win over Jokerit. He made 24 saves in the win.
Playing time is always integral to development, so it's good that he'll have the opportunity to play consistently in Mestis for the time being.
DEL
Goaltender Nikita Quapp (2021, 6th) is a bit behind on the depth chart for Eisbaren Berlin, so he hasn't gotten any game action yet.
NCAA
The NCAA will open its season on October 6.
OHL
The OHL will open its season on September 28.
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