Flyers sign – Philadelphia has signed forward Ilya Pautov, a 2024 sixth-round pick (173rd overall), to a three-year entry-level contract. The Russian winger becomes the fifth player from the Flyers’ 2024 draft class to sign an NHL deal, joining Jett Luchanko, Jack Berglund,
When the Flyers announced they had signed Ilya Pautov to a three-year entry-level contract, it added one more name to a 2024 draft class that’s already finding its way onto NHL rosters. Philadelphia general manager Daniel Briere made the signing public on Monday.
Pautov, a forward selected in the sixth round with the 173rd overall pick, is now the fifth player from Philadelphia’s 2024 draft group to sign an NHL contract. He joins Jett Luchanko, Jack Berglund, Spencer Gill and Noah Powell as part of that early momentum.
Born in Novosibirsk, Pautov turned 20 on May 3. His most recent season, 2025-26, was split between junior and professional hockey in Russia—an arrangement that reflects a player still building toward the North American game.
In 30 MHL games for Krasnaya Armiya Moskva, Pautov produced 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points. That total left him ranked third on his team in points per game among players who played at least 20 games. at a 0.77 rate. His playoff output was strong as well: he recorded 10 points—four goals and six assists—in nine postseason contests. finishing with the second-highest total for his club in the playoffs.
At the VHL level, Pautov appeared in 25 games and logged five points. That included one goal and four assists during his first full season in Russia’s professional ranks.
It was also not his first season in that rhythm. Across the 2025-26 campaign, Pautov spent it as his third full year with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva. In 136 regular-season MHL games, he totaled 44 goals and 72 assists for 116 points. In playoff action before the current postseason run, he added four points in eight games.
His most productive regular season came in 2023-24, when he gathered 45 points on 15 goals and 30 assists across 46 games. In that year, he led his team in assists and finished second in scoring. The following season, he matched 45 points again, finishing with 17 goals in 52 games.
Before the MHL, Pautov developed through the CSKA Moskva system at the under-16, under-17 and under-18 levels. Listed at 5-foot-11 and 167 pounds, he is expected to continue his development in North America after signing.
With Pautov now under contract, the Flyers have added another offensive prospect from a draft class that now has five of its seven selections under NHL deals.
Philadelphia Flyers Ilya Pautov Daniel Briere NHL contract entry-level contract 2024 draft 173rd overall Krasnaya Armiya Moskva MHL VHL Jett Luchanko Jack Berglund Spencer Gill Noah Powell
So does this mean he’s gonna play in the next game or what?
I swear every time they sign one of these guys it’s like “entry-level contract” and then nothing happens for years. 5’11” too, seems small for the NHL but maybe I’m wrong. Flyers better not be just stockpiling Russians and calling it a plan.
Wait I thought the Flyers drafted him in 2025 not 2024? The whole “2025-26” season split between junior and pro in Russia threw me off. Also MHL/VHL sounds like the same thing to me lol. If he’s scoring 23 points in 30 games that’s decent, but do they actually translate that over here or nah.
Daniel Briere always looks like he’s doing something but then the team still can’t score. They sign another winger from Russia and I’m just supposed to be excited? Like ok 10 goals and 13 assists in MHL, great, but how about against NHL players. Flyers gonna sign a goalie next or what.