New Jersey Devils: Nikita Popugaev Shows Encouraging Signs

The giant Russian winger Nikita Popugaev finally scored on North American soil. He’s showing signs of real progress since coming over to the Binghamton Devils.

It was the perfect move by the New Jersey Devils to get Nikita Popugaev out of Russia and back to North America. It was an even better decision to bring him to the Binghamton Devils, where the front office can keep a close eye on him. This situation might end up saving his career.

Popugaev scored the first goal of his AHL career on Saturday. He made an awesome decision, watching his man go after the puck, he cut to the net and opened himself up for an instant shot.

This goal came one day after Popugaev got his first point in the good ole U.S. of A. It took him eight games to finally get a point, but now that the entire AHL roster is in the NHL thanks to injuries and trades, this put Popugaev on the first line. It seems to fit him, because he now has two points in two games.

One might ask why we’ve written so much about a 4th-round pick who’s had issues everywhere he’s played and is just now making headway in the minors. Well, Popugaev is a special human who is the right situation would give the Devils a major advantage for years to come. He’s 6’6, over 200 lbs. and he has immense skill.

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Popugaev has the ability to be a Brian Boyle type in the near future. We’re not talking about next year (and the Devils should re-sign Boyle if they can in the offseason), but if he continues to grow, this could be another late-round gem by Ray Shero.

It was a terrible start for Popugaev. We’ve gone over it before. He fell off the map after he was traded to the Prince George Cougars. A promising start to his WHL career ended with a whimper, and he eventually went home to Russia to re-evaluate things. He joined the KHL, but would be juggled between the major league, the VHL and the MHL.

To be honest, the KHL is not where a player like Popugaev succeeds. His huge body is actually a disadvantage with so much room on the ice. In North America, Popugaev can get in people’s faces, push them around and use that size to turn into production. On the huge ice surface in Russia, speed prevails over everything.

It’s a long way to go, but it’s great we’re finally seeing something out of this kid. He’s still just 20 years old, so if he takes a few years to make it to the NHL, then that’s fine. This team needs more size, and with Popugaev and Nathan Bastian progressing well, they might have it.