BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Blackhawks did enough maneuvering in the 2016 draft to snag three selections in 11 picks in the second round.

They took Alex DeBrincat with the first one at No. 39 overall. Teams had largely passed on DeBrincat up to that point because of his size and because he wasn’t considered a tremendous athlete. The Blackhawks were optimistic his offensive game would translate to the NHL despite his critics. The assumption was it would be at least two years before he turned pro.

Defenseman Chad Krys was selected with the second pick at No. 45. Krys had represented the U.S. as a 17-year-old in the World Juniors and appeared to have the tools to be a high-end puck-moving defenseman. He was headed to Boston University and likely someone who would sign within 2-3 years.

With the third pick, the No. 50 overall selection, the Blackhawks drafted Artur Kayumov, the third Russian-born player taken in the draft. Kayumov stood out for his skating and playmaking and he had excelled playing for Russia’s under-18 team. The Blackhawks understood then Kayumov would likely be more of a long-term project than either DeBrincat or Krys. They knew it could be a while before he decided to come to North America.

Since that 2016 draft, all three players’ stories have played out differently. DeBrincat was the CHL’s player of the year and then jumped right into the Blackhawks’ NHL lineup this season. Krys failed to make the last two U.S. World Junior teams, but has produced this season and is tied for fourth among college defensemen in points. He’s likely on track to sign after next season.

As for Kayumov, there hasn’t been as much news about him since the draft. Part of that is because he plays in Russia and he hasn’t attended the Blackhawks’ prospect camp the past two years, but it’s also because he really hasn’t done much. He played mostly in the MHL, a lower Russia division last season, and had 19 points in 33 games. He found a more permanent place in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s KHL lineup this season, but his ice time has often been limited and he hasn’t produced much. He also broke his collarbone in October, causing him to miss over a month.

Add that all up, and there wasn’t much buzz about Kayumov entering the World Junior Championship in Buffalo this season. Andrei Altybarmakyan, a 2017 Blackhawks draft pick from Russia, was actually being discussed more.

Kayumov has inserted himself back into that conversation, though. Everything that excited the Blackhawks about him at the draft, he’s shown while playing for Russia in the World Juniors. He’s skated around defenders. He’s possessed the puck. He’s created for himself and others. He’s produced. With three goals and two assists during four games in pool play, he was second on Russia in goals and tied for second in points. He’s tied for 12th in points among all tournament players.

Kayumov has played most on Russia’s second line as a left-handed right winger and been given time on the power play and penalty kill. He and Russia will take on the United States in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Artur Kayumov has said the Blackhawks were his favorite team growing up in Russia. (Scott Powers/The Athletic)

Why to be excited

Kayumov has excelled whenever he’s played against his peers whether in Russia or internationally. He’s usually among the best skaters on the ice. He likes to hold onto the puck and find openings in the offensive zone. He can put up points by scoring or distributing.

What to be concerned about

Some of the concerns about Kayumov before the draft were due to his size. He’s added some muscle, but he’s still on the smaller side at 5-foot-11 and 168 pounds. Ideally, the Blackhawks would like Kayumov to get more ice time and produce in the KHL. It’s not helping his development if he’s riding the bench. He’s played fewer than five minutes in five games this season.

Scout’s take

Anonymous NHL scout: “I’ve liked how his role on Russia has evolved, getting lots of minutes in all situations. I think his game translates well to the smaller ice. The tournament will get real on Tuesday. It’s a good opportunity for him.”

The Athletic senior NHL prospects writer Corey Pronman’s take

After a so-so last season and a half in Russia, I’ve been impressed by him at the World Juniors. He’s showing a lot of skill and speed. I don’t think he’s a dominant player by any means, but you see that there’s ability and he can make plays around the puck.

My take

This was my first in-person viewing of Kayumov. I watched him play twice over two days and he stood out both times. He likes to have the puck on his stick and can make things happen with his skating ability. Others in the tournament have been flashier with their puck-handling and speed, but Kayumov gets the job done with his skillset. He thinks the game at a high level and understands how to play off teammates. It’s hard to say at this point what he’ll be going forward, but he’s definitely an intriguing prospect.

Video

Kayumov makes it 4-1 Russia. pic.twitter.com/VdmWBB2rAq — Aivis Kalniņš (@A_Kalnins) December 29, 2017

Here’s a look at Kayumov (28) pic.twitter.com/MQ1BMkmfOM — Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) December 29, 2017

Going through some of the video I took last week. Here’s an isolation on Artur Kayumov for a shift: pic.twitter.com/ibTN5ZoLsX — Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) January 2, 2018

Kayumov on the penalty kill pic.twitter.com/cIIdlZSVv6 — Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) January 2, 2018

Q&A with Artur Kayumov (through an interpreter)

The Athletic: How has your game and confidence improved throughout this tournament?

Artur Kayumov: He’s feeling more confident personally and as a team, so every game he should give new lots of confidence.

TA: Did you come into the tournament with individual expectations?

Kayumov: He doesn’t have any personal goals, so the only goal is to win as a team.

TA: Has this been a rough season with the injury and limited ice time in the KHL?

Kayumov: After he became healthy, he got enough ice time, he was satisfied. He was doing good at the senior level in the KHL, so he’s satisfied.

TA: What have you improved on since being drafted by the Blackhawks?

Kayumov: There were no particular aspects he was trying to improve. Mostly on physics, so he became more stronger, physically he picked up.

TA: Do you have any communication with the Blackhawks?

Kayumov: They call him from time to time and message him.

TA: Does he have a timetable for when he’d like to play in North America?

Kayumov: Everyone dreams to play in North America, but he still has his contract signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and he’s trying his best for Lokomotiv and then we’ll see what will happen.

What others are saying

Blackhawks vice president of amateur scouting Mark Kelley: I think his progression has been pretty good. He had a good year last year in the MHL. Last year he got off to a great start. He has a great tournament at the under-20 tournament at the end of the summer, early September. So from that tournament, he was counted on to be a key part of this team, then he was injured. The interesting thing is to measure where he is physically coming back.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman: His injuries have sort of set him back a little bit from being further along from maybe where we thought he’d be, but his play has been very encouraging. He just hasn’t got enough games over the last year and a half because he missed some time. I’m very encouraged he’s on the radar for the World Junior. That’s the first step. The next step would be continue to get some time in the KHL. That’s a bit of a double-edged sword because you want him to play, but you also like the fact he’s playing more minutes in the MHL or whatever it’s called. The combination of exposure to the KHL at a young age is good, but I also like the fact he’s having some success. When he doesn’t’ play in the KHL, he’s able to maybe impact the game more. For him, the steps would be become a regular in the KHL and then I don’t have a feel for him either. Does he want to – sometimes those guys get frustrated with not playing in the KHL and they want to come over to North America, over to Rockford. We haven’t had those discussions yet, but I would be open to that.

Kayumov’s agent Todd Diamond: He’s a good kid, laser-focused, good skill set. He’s heading in the right direction. I’d like for him to get more English under his belt to enable him to get to the NHL faster. It allows the coaches to feel more comfortable. That’s the biggest key. I think the language factor is important for coaches. Plus, he’s able to integrate himself with his teammates and not be locked in his apartment.

What to watch the rest of the season

Kayumov has recently gotten more ice time with Lokomotiv. He’s played 11-plus minutes in three of the last four games in the KHL. If he can continue that trend and can ride some confidence from the World Junior Championship, he could be in line for a stronger second half of the KHL season.

When to expect him in the NHL

Kayumov is signed with Lokomotiv through the 2019-20 season. Diamond said they were open to Kayumov coming to North America after his KHL deal expired. Kayumov would be 21 at that point. It may still be a stretch for him to be an NHL player then, but it’s not out of the question. It’s still realistic for the Blackhawks to have DeBrincat, Krys and Kayumov together in the NHL within the next 3-4 years.

(Top photo: Scott Powers/The Athletic)