Russian superstar could be x-factor for Golden Knights

There are lots of questions surrounding the Vegas Golden Knights. Perhaps none bigger than Vadim Shipachyov. 

The Knights signed the Russian free agent forward from SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL to a two-year contract this offseason. The 30-year-old is projected to center the team's top line and be a key piece on the power play. Shipachyov is a highly skilled playmaker who was very successful in the KHL, winning two championships and placing among the league leaders in scoring the last two seasons.

The center finished third in the KHL scoring race in 2016-17 with 76 points on 26 goals and 50 assists in 50 games. The 50 assists were the second most in the league, while he also had 19 points on four goals and 15 assists in 17 games during the KHL playoffs.

Shipachyov is clearly very talented and capable of piling on points, but how will he adapt to the NHL's level of play? The styles in the leagues are very different, as a player can often excel in the KHL if he possesses good offensive skill and speed. KHL defensemen are nowhere near the caliber of NHL blueliners and the large ice surface in Russia makes it easier for forwards to get around them and create opportunities.

We also must take into consideration that Shipachyov played on an absolute powerhouse team in the KHL that includes Pavel Dastyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk and won two championships in the last three years. He won't have that chemistry and team dynamic that made him so successful in the KHL, so it'll be interesting to see how he fares.

A prime example of KHL to NHL not panning out is talented forward Sergei Plotnikov, who had 36 points in 56 KHL games before managing just 3 points in 45 NHL games after coming over from Russia. There are players who have had success coming over from Russia, though, and sometimes it just takes some adjustment, so Shipachyov could very well be a success story.

Shipachyov is very skilled and will be given quality ice-time by the Knights, so he's one to watch in 2017-18. He could be a great set-up man for former 40-goal-scorer James Neal, so his ability to adapt to the NHL will be critical for the team's success.