The curious case of Nikita Tryamkin
It's a complicated world when it comes to the Vancouver Canucks and defenseman Nikita Tryamkin.
A third-round pick in 2014, the 22-year-old made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 13 games and tallying a pair of points along the way.
The Canucks hoped he would build on that performance this year, but Tryamkin's training camp testing - when he showed up out of shape - quickly halted any progress.
Here's where it gets tricky.
The Canucks drafted Tryamkin out of the KHL, where he'd spent the past four seasons, playing the pro game and making pro money.
To recruit the Russian blue-liner to Vancouver, the Canucks agreed he could return to Russia should he not earn a spot in the NHL. It's known as a European assignment clause and it effectively keeps Tryamkin out of the AHL.
Given his poor showing at camp, Tryamkin has been a healthy scratch for all seven games and he continues to train to get into game shape.
Further complicating the issue is Tryamkin can't get into game shape without actually playing, though Canucks general manager Jim Benning believes he simply isn't ready. He also reaffirmed that Tryamkin won't report to Utica, N.Y., home to the Canucks' AHL affiliate.
"There is no possibility that he will play in the (AHL)," said Benning, according to Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun. "We’ve explored that. We’ve talked to him and his agent and he has said no. In a perfect world, we’d like him to get some games (in the minors). But it is what it is. He is working hard in practice and doing extra work."
Still, the Canucks remain committed to Tryamkin, a tantalizing defensive prospect and a towering presence at 6-foot-7. A decision will come at some point, whether Tryamkin stays with the Canucks or returns to Russia.
"I think Nikita has practiced hard. He's certainly better than he was three weeks ago," added Canucks coach Willie Desjardins. "I'm still real excited about him as a player. But he has to get himself, a little mentally, too, up to the intensity of every shift.
"One of the parts of being a Canuck is being in good shape and being ready to play the way you can play. That’s one of the things we expect from our players. And when you’re not that, then you get into a different scenario."