Ilya Nabokov, 23, was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the second round (38th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft. The Russia native spent 2025-26 on loan with Metallurg, posting a 22-7-5 record, 2.74 GAA and .901 save percentage in 38 regular-season games before going 2-4 with a .892 in seven playoff appearances. In this translated interview, originally appearing on Russian website sport24.ru, Avs goalie prospect Ilya Nabokov talks about his first trips to Denver, adjusting to North American hockey and life, his language struggles, and his NHL aspirations.
** You can read the original interview in Nabokov’s native Russian by Dmitry Yerykalov on sport24.ru by clicking here **
NHL Hopes
Now, the young goalie is a guest at his native Metallurg Arena. “It still feels unfamiliar,” he explains. “This is my home arena, and I was playing here only recently. I’m comfortable here; everything is familiar. On Aug. 1, Metallurg started training camp, and when I saw the guys, I had a strange feeling. In a way, I was still with them, but at the same time, I wasn’t anymore. ”
“I spent many years in Magnitogorsk and came through the entire system. I always prepared for the season here, whether it was with the hockey school, the MHL team or the KHL team. So this is a strange feeling for me now.”
However, Metallurg Magnitogorsk organization’s attitude toward the goalie didn’t change since Nabokov signed with the Avs. “Nothing changed,” he confirms. “I treat everyone well, and they treat me the same way. They joke around, of course, asking, “When are you coming back?” But that’s all it is. I’m not planning to come back anytime soon! I hope to stay in the NHL.”
Moreover, differently from other Russian players, his contract doesn’t have a Russia out-clause. “I have a goal and a dream. You have to try something new in life. There will always be an opportunity to come back. It’s better to try and regret it than not try and regret it.”
Now, three former Metallurg Nabokov’s teammates are in the NHL: Danila Yurov, Nikita Grebyonkin and himself, with Maxim Kantsyrov also on the way. Perhaps they helped the goalie. “I talk to the guys a lot, especially Grebyonkin. I ask what the hockey is like and how they organized their lives away from the rink. I’m interested in everything, the flights, the conditions and all the everyday details. The guys gave me a lot more information. It’s a different country, and many things are done differently there. Now I have to go over and prove myself and stop the pucks.”
Yurov had a first debut year in Minnesota. “First of all, he’s matured. You can see that he has grown up and become stronger. He’s doing a great job. Hopefully, we’ll play against each other next season.”
Move to Denver
Nabokov has just returned from his second trip to Denver. “The first visit was very short. I was there for about a week, completed all the paperwork and opened a bank account. I also had a chance to see the arena, meet the team and get to know the organization.”
“After Metallurg was eliminated, Colorado recalled me from my loan. I initially went to the AHL. I saw how the guys train there and what the hockey is like. I also tried to adjust to the climate because it’s completely different. Denver is in the mountains, and there’s less oxygen. It’s difficult to breathe, and training is even harder. I was also able to sort out an apartment and a car, so things will be easier when I arrive for training camp.”
However, he didn’t get to train with the Avalanche’s main roster. “Unfortunately, I could not,” the goalie regrets. “Our schedules didn’t overlap. When the AHL team was playing at home, the Avalanche were on the road.”
With the Avalanche, Nabokov met some familiar faces: Pavel Francouz, who played in the KHL for Traktor Chelyabinsk, is now a goaltending scout for Colorado, while Jussi Parkkila, who worked in the KHL for six years, is the team’s goaltending coach. “I hadn’t spoken much with Parkkila before this trip. He only congratulated me after I was drafted. But this time we met in person. He said he was really looking forward to getting on the ice with me. Francouz speaks Russian very well. We talk on the phone about once every two weeks. He flew to Denver to meet me and helped me throughout the week.”
Adaptation and Challenges
Nabokov was then included on the Colorado Eagles’ playoff roster; he then had a chance to have a look at the AHL. “I saw that everyone was completely focused and ready to battle. I don’t know what it’s like during the regular season, but that’s how the AHL is in the playoffs. There are a lot of players with excellent shots, and the smaller ice makes the game interesting.”
The switch between the KHL playoffs, where he played seven games for Metallurg, and the AHL ones must have been hard. “Before the season even started, I understood that it was going to be a long one,” Nabokov explains. “Even if we had won the championship with Metallurg, I would still have gone to Colorado and extended my season. It was unfamiliar and difficult, of course. I met the guys, but the language was a problem for me. I’m grateful to Daniil Gushchin, who helped me with translation.”
A year ago, the goalie said that he had hired a tutor and used language-learning programs. However, he is not satisfied with his progress. “I have improved, but not enough. I’ve been spending a lot of time in Russia with my family, and my son was born, so I practically haven’t had time for lessons. I’ll learn the language once I’m there, through everyday experience.”
It was reported that Konstantin Okulov, a star in the KHL, stayed in Russia after his daughters were born despite several NHL offers. Perhaps he had similar thoughts. “I never even considered it,” the goalie firmly says. “I want to test myself in the NHL.”
Past Year in the KHL
Nabokov spent the 2025-26 campaign in the KHL loaned back home by the Avs. “I’m certain it was the right decision. It allowed me to prepare for the move, first of all mentally. Colorado didn’t give me any instructions. I set the goal of winning the championship with Metallurg and leaving on that kind of high. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the Cup, but I gained valuable experience.”
After lifting the Gagarin Cup with Metallurg in 2023-24, Nabokov had two difficult seasons. It’s fair to say that he isn’t leaving Russia at the peak of his career. “Goalies usually develop a little later, around the age of 27, so I’m not particularly worried. Yes, the last two seasons didn’t go especially well for me. There was a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations, including expectations I placed on myself. I’m demanding of myself.”
Perhaps it was hard for Nabokov after a season where he was awarded KHL playoff MVP and Rookie of the Year. “My goal in that first season was simply to play a few games in the KHL, but everything turned out much better than expected. In the second season, perhaps I struggled with the desire to prove that I hadn’t won Rookie of the Year by accident. That pressure affected me and played a role.”
At one point, Metallurg’s backup netminder Alexander Smolin was playing ahead of Nabokov. It must have been hard for him, but the team needed a shake up. “I’ve known Alexander for a long time. We’ve been together since hockey school, since we were 14. We joined the Stalnye Lisy in the junior league together and eventually reached the main team together. We have a good professional relationship. We supported one another and tried to make each other better.”
Competition in the NHL Roster
Scott Wedgewood and Mackenzie Blackwood formed one of the NHL’s best goaltending tandems last season. But Nabokov is okay with that. “I’m not nervous about it. If I get an opportunity, I’ll have to take advantage of it and show what I can do. I’m not worried about it at all. I hope everything works out for me.”
All things considered, the goalie will have to play in the AHL first. “Naturally, I’d like to play in the NHL. At the same time, I understand that hockey in North America is completely different and that I’ll need time to adjust. Colorado has several good goaltenders, so I’m preparing myself for the possibility that I’ll need to play in the AHL. But I want to gradually make my way into the NHL. I’d like to play some games for the Avalanche next season—the more, the better.”
Scott Wedgewood is entering the final season of his contract. Perhaps Nabokov anticipates to take his place. “Everything will depend on me. Who knows—maybe I’ll take that spot this season. The NHL is a business, and things move quickly. At any moment, even a star player can be traded.”
Nowadays, the NHL is seeing a steep spike in contracts, with Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard signing contracts worth $15–18 million. “Money isn’t my priority,” Nabokov says. “First, I need to establish myself in the league and prove that I belong. The money will come later.”
Moreover, his offseason practice hasn’t changed. “Everything is the same as usual,” he confirms. “I’m preparing in Magnitogorsk. [Metallurg Magnitogorsk’s goalie coach] Klemen Mohorič arrived fairly early, and I’ve worked with him a lot at the club. We also held a training camp with local goaltenders of different ages. We trained together for two weeks.”
With the right mindset and a clear understanding of the challenges ahead, Nabokov appears well-positioned to make the most of his opportunity and compete for an NHL spot sooner rather than later.
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