In 2016-17, Burmistrov saw action in just 23 games for Winnipeg -- managing a mere two helpers before getting shipped off to Arizona; he looked much more comfortable in the desert, notching 14 points in 26 contests. Now in Vancouver having secured a one-year, $900,000 contract in the offseason, the center will try to work past his enigmatic ways in an attempt to pin down a more consistent role. Whether he can be a night-to-night starter remains to be seen, though, as faces inherited competition from both Brendan Gaunce and Michael Chaput. If the former eighth overall pick can prove his worth this year, he could be a part of the eventual post-Sedin rebuild, but for now, only fantasy players in extremely deep leagues should be showing interest in the Russian.
Burmistrov had an unspectacular campaign with the Jets, notching seven goals, 14 assists, 102 shots on goal and 125 hits. The center did see 16:10 of ice time per game, which is decent, but leaves the 24-year-old with limited opportunity to shine. With no increase in role immediately expected, the eighth overall pick of 2008 will remain in the shadows of a relatively productive top six. That’s enough to look past Burmistrov in the meantime, but he still has time to realize his potential and thus should be held on to in keeper leagues.
After appearing in 194 games over three seasons for the Jets, Burmistrov chose to defect to the KHL last offseason, signing a two-year contract with AK Bars Kazan. The former No. 8 overall pick notched 37 points in 54 games, numbers that would likely make him an intriguing addition for any club should he decide to return to North America. The Jets retain Burmistrov’s rights if he were to consider an NHL comeback, but the forward’s strained relationship with management prior his departure could prompt the team to trade him to another club. Working around the year remaining on his KHL contract represents another potential stumbling block in pursuing a move back to the NHL, but if Burmistrov is indeed serious about returning, he could rejoin the Jets as soon as his KHL season concludes, just as Evgeny Kuznetsov did with the Capitals last March.
"Low-risk, high-upside" neatly summarizes Burmistrov's outlook for 2012-2013. You likely won't need to expend a high draft pick to secure the young Russian for your roto squad, and, if year three proves to be the breakout campaign for this 2010 first-round selection, you will have struck fantasy gold. Burmistrov played well early in the season, but fell off much, finishing the season with 13 goals, 28 points and many stretches of being invisible despite playing 76 games.
Burmistrov managed just six goals and 14 assists for 20 points in his rookie season last year. He was selected eighth overall in the 2010 entry draft and he has a ton of talent. He'll definitely improve on his goal and assist totals this coming season, but he's still probably another full year or two away from being a breakout star. Burmistrov is a late round sleeper pick at best this year.
