Apparently, Golden Knights GM George McPhee likes to spend his summer vacation in Russia.
Just met George McPhee in St. Petersburg at Ledoviy Ice Palace, where SKA with Nikita Gusev in the roster currently plays a preseason game, but GM of Vegas refused to talk on why he's here or how yesterday's meeting with Tkachyov in Riga went. He said: 'Enjoying my vacation'
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) August 24, 2018
According to NHL.com’s Igor Eronko, Vegas’ head honcho was in Russia to check in on prospect Nikita Gusev, and meet with at least one other KHL’er.
Per @Boogaard_2 GM of Vegas George McPhee had a meeting in Riga with Vladimir Tkachyov, center of Ak Bars. Tkachyov's contract will expire on April 30
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) August 23, 2018
First off, let’s identify the right Vladimir Tkachyov. Vegas has interest in the 24-year-old left-handed center, not the 22-year-old right-handed forward. The older Tkachyov is bigger, listed at 6’0″, 200 lbs and is a successful two-way KHL player.
KHL Statistics
•2013-14: 52 Games, 1 Goal, 9 Pts, (0.17 PPG)
•2014-15: 30 Games, 6 G, 9 Pts, (0.30 PPG)
•2015-16: 48 Games, 12 G, 20Pts, (0.42 PPG)
•2016-17: 58 Games, 15 G, 32 Pts, (0.55 PPG)
•2017-18: 53 Games, 22 G, 36 Pts, (0.68 PPG)
Tkachyov has improved offensively every season in the KHL, and plays in all situations. In 2017-18, the center averaged 16:41 per game, scored seven power-play goals, and logged penalty kill minutes. Add in a 55% career faceoff win percentage, and Tkachyov fits nicely on an NHL team’s third or fourth line. Possibly the Golden Knights.
Tkachyov told @Boogaard_2 it was a pleasure for him to meet George McPhee: 'I talked to NHL teams' representatives before, but they were scouts. And now it's GM of the team, another level. We met and got acquainted. Now I will pay more attention to Vegas and they – to how I play'
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) August 24, 2018
