Laurie Carr of Beyond the Blueshirts reports that 2009 seventh-round pick Mikhail Pashnin will play in North America this year.

Carr’s report is supported by Dmitry Chesnokov, who’s always in the know about Russian players.  Chesnokov reports that Pashnin has a contract offer from the Rangers.

Pashnin was an intriguing pick two years ago.  Teams were very tempted by his potential, but most were scared off by his supposed commitment to the KHL.

Pashnin was the first-overall pick of the first KHL Draft in 2009, but today’s reports of a move to North America indicates that Pashnin is set on making it to the NHL.

Pashnin stands just 5-11, 190 lbs, but he may be the Rangers’ most physically imposing prospect after Dylan McIlrath.  At the team’s prospects camp in June Pashnin drew positive reviews from many in attendance and was hitting everything in sight.

Pashnin only posted three goals and six assists in 77 games over the last two seasons with CSKA Moscow, but he’s purely a stay at home defenseman and a good one at that.

If Pashnin does come to North America, it’s likely that he’ll play for the CT Whale alongside fellow prospects Pavel Valentenko and Tomas Kundratek, and former NHLer Wade Redden.

Pashnin will need seasoning in the AHL, but he played against a high level of competition last year in the KHL.  He’s probably not going to make it to New York this year, but Pashnin has flown under the radar overseas and could be a surprise at training camp.

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