Potential Russia Passport Ban Affects Devils Players, Prospects

Word has surfaced recently that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation is considering a passport ban, an initiative believed to be suggested by Russia’s consular services. A result of the potential passport ban would certainly have an effect on New Jersey Devils Russian players and prospects, as well as Russian players around the NHL.

The report first emerged via the Novaya Gazeta Europe which states, “The draft proposal would introduce the ban this year, Novaya Gazeta wrote, meaning Russians living abroad would have to return to the country to obtain or renew their passports.”

At this time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has denied the report. The rest of the report can be read here.

The Devils didn’t roster any Russian players this season, therefore, the main roster appears to be safe.  However, in their system, there could certainly be lasting implications.

Currently, there are five players in the Devils’ prospect pool who hail from Russia.

Only one is overseas playing North American hockey, in the American Hockey League skating on the Utica Comets’ blue line.

Daniil Misyul — who crossed the pond from the KHL in May 2023 — made his AHL debut with the Comets in October. He’s established himself as a physical presence with the Comets and scored four goals and 14 points in 44 games this year.

Should the potential passport ban come to fruition, Misyul will need to return to Russia and renew his passport, which leaves the possibility he’ll need to take leave from the Devils organization.

The remaining four prospects are currently playing in Russia — all playing in the KHL — are defensemen Artyom Barabosha, Daniil Orlov, Yegor Zaitsev, and prized forward prospect Arseni Gritsyuk.

For the four aforementioned players, receiving new passports should be less or a hurdle while residing in their home country if they choose to cross the pond.

Gritsyuk is on the record stating that following the 2024-25 season, he aims to make the leap from the KHL to North America to play in the Devils’ organization.

He’ll need to ensure he has an up-to-date passport.

The potential passport ban will have the same effect on fellow NHL teams and their prospect pools alike. Philadelphia Flyers fans are certainly keeping a close eye on this situation after just signing goaltender Ivan Fedotov. All while they patiently wait for their highly skilled prospect, Matvei Michkov who is playing in the KHL.

It certainly adds an interesting wrinkle to Kevin Weekes’ report on Saturday that player agent Dan Milstein is holding a pre-NHL Draft showcase with several Russian clients/top prospects in the middle of June.

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