Prospect Update: Vyacheslav Buteyets

By Thomas Harrington

The Anaheim Ducks drafted goaltender Vyacheslav Buteyets in the sixth round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, 178th overall. He played primarily in the ECHL this past season, but saw time in the AHL and made his NHL debut in a relief appearance as well.

Buteyets started the season in the ECHL, was called up to San Diego in November, and then called up to Anaheim in December. In mid-December he was assigned back to the ECHL and bounced back and forth between the AHL and ECHL for the rest of the season. In the ECHL, Buteyets played for the Tulsa Oilers as their starter. In 44 games, he had a record of 18-19-5 with a 3.11 goals against average, a .908 save percentage, and two shutouts. His goals against average climbed from 2.82 the previous year, but he also improved his save percentage from .905.

Buteyets played in four games for the Gulls, and served as the backup in several other games. He had a 1-3 record with a 4.29 goals against average and a .865 save percentage, bettering both numbers from the previous season with San Diego, while also picking up his first career AHL win.

Buteyets was recalled to Anaheim when both Lukas Dostal and Petr Mrazek were injured and Calle Clang had left San Diego on a personal leave. Ville Husso had started the game but was pulled after allowing four goals. In relief, Buteyets faced 13 shots and let three goals in, but two of them were deflections off of Anaheim defensemen.

I had two expectations for Buteyets last summer, and he mostly met them. First, regardless of playing in the AHL or ECHL, for him to put up better numbers than the year before. He managed that in the AHL, but only partially did that in the ECHL. Second, for him to play more than two games for the Gulls and start more than one game. He was able to do both of those, but still only played in four games for San Diego.

This coming season, Buteyets is heading back to Russia. He signed a two-year deal with Traktor, but was then loaned to the Shanghai Dragons for the upcoming season. He’ll be part of a three goalie rotation with Patrik Rybar and Pavel Khomchenko. Both played in the KHL last season, with Rybar playing in 28 games and Komchenko playing in 50. Rybar was one of four goaltenders to play for Shanghai last season, and he played the most games out of all of them. With two other veterans to compete against, Buteyets may end up spending time in the VHL in order to see more game action.

With Buteyets back in Russia, I have two expectations for him. First, the most number of KHL games he’s played in a season is one, so I’d like to see him play in at least five games for the Dragons this season. Second, assuming he does play a lot in the VHL, I want him to put up better numbers in that league than he did in the 2023-2024 season, where he had a 2.57 goals against average, a .913 save percentage, and one shutout.

Even though Buteyets made his NHL debut this past season, that was only because so many other goaltenders were out. In reality, he’s still at least a few years away from having a shot at consistent time in the NHL. Buteyets first needs to show that he can play consistently in the KHL before he gets serious consideration of getting time in Anaheim.

Buteyets is currently a restricted free agent. After spending so much time in the ECHL last season, I was a little surprised to see the Ducks give him a qualifying offer. However, last year showed why NHL teams need goaltending depth. So from that perspective, it made sense to keep Buteyets for at least another season. If he does sign a new contract, it will be a two-way deal, likely for only a year. It also wouldn’t surprise if the Ducks don’t sign him, but keep him as a restricted free agent and control his NHL rights for the next several years.

The next prospect update will be on forward Michael Callow.

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July 26th, 2026