Vladimir Tkachev

Vladimir Eduardovich Tkachev (; born October 5, 1995) is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Playing career Tkachev was drafted by Avangard Omsk in the third round, 73rd overall, in the 2012 KHL Draft. He soon after made his professional hockey debut with Avangard Omsk during the 2013–14 KHL season, playing two games with the club before being returned to Omskie Yastreby. Partway through the 2013-14 season, an IIHF transfer agreement was made between the CHL and the KHL for Tkachev to play with the Moncton Wildcats. Roger Shannon, the Director of Hockey Operations for the Wildcats, stated that it was to be "an exciting day to see this young superstar in a Wildcats jersey."

Junior hockey

2013–14 season Tkachev debuted with the QMJHL's Moncton Wildcats on January 23, 2014. He scored four points that night and was named the game's first star in a 7-4 victory against the Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Wildcats coach Darren Rumble identified him as an "elite player" after his debut. He was, however, invited to the Edmonton Oilers' training camp later that year. His performance in their training camp impressed the Oilers, and he was quickly signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the team. Oiler fans immediately anointed him "Vladdy Hockey" as a direct comparison to "Johnny Hockey" Gaudreau, a star player who plays for rival Calgary. The National Hockey League, however, rejected the contract, informing the Oilers that Tkachev was ineligible to be signed by any NHL team until the 2015 off-season because the Collective Bargaining Agreement stated that CHL players needed to play a full season in North America to be eligible if undrafted. The Oilers admitted not realizing that this clause existed, and Tkachev remained unsigned. Upon his return, Tkachev was traded to the Quebec Remparts for Taylor Burke in addition to a 7th and 8th round pick in the 2015 QMJHL Entry Draft. The decision was made on the basis that the Wildcats needed to readjust their roster for the future and to allow Tkachev an opportunity to play in the 2015 Memorial Cup, as the Quebec Remparts were slated to host the event. The Wildcats' Roger Shannon expressed his gratitude to Tkachev for "adding a spark" to the organization and thanked him for his time as a member of the team. In January 2015, the NHL's Central Scouting Services ranked him 121st overall with questions looming regarding his height and small 163-lb frame.

With the Quebec Remparts, Tkachev scored 12 goals and 21 assists in 33 games to help the team qualify for the 2015 QMJHL playoffs. During the playoffs, Tkachev scored six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 21 games. The Remparts reached the QMJHL Final against the Rimouski Oceanic but were ultimately defeated in the seventh game of the seven-game series. As the host team for the 2015 Memorial Cup, the Remparts automatically qualified for that event. In the Memorial Cup, the Remparts were defeated in the semi-final against the Kelowna Rockets.

The NHL Central Scouting Services ranked Tkachev 159th overall in its final April 2015 rankings.

Professional Tkachev opted to return to his native Russia to resume his professional career after his KHL right's were traded by Avangard to SKA Saint Petersburg on September 12, 2015. He later agreed to a two-year playing contract with SKA ten days later on September 22.

At the conclusion of his second productive season with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in 2018–19, Tkachev while in need of a new contract could not agree to terms with Ufa. On June 3, 2019, his rights were traded from Salavat back to SKA Saint Petersburg in exchange for the rights to Nikita Soshnikov. He was later signed to a two-year contract through 2021 with SKA on July 10, 2019.

On May 29, 2021, Tkachev as a free agent left SKA, and signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings of the NHL. In his first professional North American season, Tkachev made the Kings opening night roster for the season out of training camp. He made his long awaited NHL debut registering 2 assists in a season opening 6-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on 14 October 2021. Tkachev made 3 further appearances with the Kings before he was re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, for the remainder of the season, collecting 7 goals and 29 points through 41 games.

With limited opportunity with the Kings, in the off-season Tkachev's KHL rights were traded from SKA Saint Petersburg back to original club, Avangard Omsk, in exchange for financial compensation. He was signed to a two-year contract to rejoin Avangard Omsk on 20 June 2022.

In the 2022/23 season, he played 78 matches with Avangard, scored 26 goals and provided 47 assists, becoming the bronze medalist of the KHL championship. In August 2023, he was named the highest-paid KHL player according to Match TV. In the 2023/24 season, he played 70 matches and scored 86 points, becoming the club's second scorer. On May 29, 2024, he signed a five-year contract with Avangard.

At the end of July 2024, he tore his Achilles tendon during a running warm-up during individual preparation for the season. The expected recovery period is about six months. On February 21, 2025, he returned to the ice and held his first training session with the team.

After the conclusion of his third season with Avangard, Tkachev was mutually released from his contract on 18 July 2025. As a free agent he was signed to a two-year contract with Metallurg Magnitogorsk on 28 July 2025.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM2012–13 Omskie Yastreby MHL 47 13 22 35 20 4 0 2 2 2 2013–14 Omskie Yastreby MHL 16 7 12 19 12 — — — — — 2013–14 Avangard Omsk KHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2013–14 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 20 10 20 30 16 6 7 2 9 12 2014–15 Moncton Wildcats QMJHL 13 4 12 16 8 — — — — — 2014–15 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 33 12 21 33 18 21 6 10 16 11 2015–16 SKA-1946 St. Petersburg MHL 6 3 3 6 6 — — — — — 2015–16 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2015–16 SKA-Neva St. Petersburg VHL 17 5 4 9 48 5 1 0 1 6 2016–17 Admiral Vladivostok KHL 49 14 25 39 18 5 1 2 3 2 2017–18 Admiral Vladivostok KHL 36 14 16 30 28 — — — — — 2017–18 Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL 12 4 6 10 14 14 1 2 3 10 2018–19 Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL 53 5 21 26 28 17 4 6 10 10 2019–20 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 55 14 28 42 25 4 1 5 6 2 2020–21 SKA Saint Petersburg KHL 45 11 27 38 26 11 1 7 8 2 2021–22 Los Angeles Kings NHL 4 0 2 2 2 — — — — — 2021–22 Ontario Reign AHL 41 7 22 29 26 5 2 4 6 4 2022–23 Avangard Omsk KHL 64 23 36 59 31 14 3 11 14 4 2023–24 Avangard Omsk KHL 58 20 55 75 32 12 0 11 11 10 2024–25 Avangard Omsk KHL 4 1 4 5 2 13 3 7 10 8 2025–26 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 66 13 58 71 48 15 2 8 10 0 KHL totals 446 119 276 395 252 105 16 59 75 48 NHL totals 4 0 2 2 2 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2013 Russia U18 4th 7 5 6 11 2 Junior totals 7 5 6 11 2