I have been critical of him so far this season, but I think he had 2 decent games against Nashville. Nothing that wowed me, and he gave me a heart attack fumbling away an open net opportunity for his first NHL goal, but he seemed more engaged when on the ice than he was in games previously.

Since Volkov is such a polarizing prospect at the moment, I figure this needs its own thread. So feel free to join me here until he puts it all together at the NHL level.

I wasn't to impressed in the 1st game against Nashville this week as the only thing I noticed from him was the open net miss, but he played pretty well yesterday.

I wasn't impressed by either game, but he was not a liability when on the ice and he did pick up another assist. Hopefully he continues to slowly put things together as the season goes on.

Problem with Volkov is the alumni that came before him.
We've gone through all the the fancy steaks and the delicious trimmings now we're left with a can of chickpeas and a couple carrots and have to make a dinner out of it. :-)

Since our 2015 cup run it's been Drouin, Sergy, Gourde, Point, and Cirelli seemingly nonstop. Now we have Volkov and Foote, who doesn't even cleanly beat out Schenn for 3RD. I'm going to count the second coming of Mathieu Joseph as our new hot prospect

#tblightning Jon Cooper said they could go back to 11/7 lineup tonight against Panthers. Deciding later. Did like what he saw from Alex Volkov in the last couple games. Should be a fun three-game series with Panthers, who are labeling this a “measuring stick” type matchup.

— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) February 11, 2021

Volkov hype from Cooper

#tblightning Jon Cooper said they could go back to 11/7 lineup tonight against Panthers. Deciding later. Did like what he saw from Alex Volkov in the last couple games. Should be a fun three-game series with Panthers, who are labeling this a “measuring stick” type matchup.

— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) February 11, 2021

I don't think the previous reply embedded correctly

Yeah. I don't love the 11/7, but I like Schenn and Foote more than Volkov also so I don't know what to think

What's not to like about 11/7? It's worked so well for so long.

HE'S GOT ONE!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOO

FIRST NHL GOAL pic.twitter.com/oSSb28J9dQ

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 14, 2021

He making progress

Gemel Smith apparently is what this team needs. Got TJ and Volkov going in the same game.

All the Gunners are out. Needed a team win.

Volkov scoring his first and Johnny with 2? Smith the MVP.

Truly showed their depth. 3 of their top 4 forwards are out and they get 6 goals and Point didn't have a point (even though he definitely played a role.) Someone should tell Smith to get Killorn a goal or 2 on Monday

He's back on the taxi squad. ABB and Colton on the call up. Get stoked.

2 in 2 games!!!!!!!

Well McBackup is tough to watch, but how about Volkov!

VOLKOV 🚨 pic.twitter.com/7ffVIHy5GT

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 16, 2021

How often would the top 2 teams in a division, not involved in a back to back, both play their backup?

Florida's backup is better than their starter though

He had another

Officially Volkov's second of the game!! pic.twitter.com/my5gJMGyN5

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) February 16, 2021

Only according to most statistics.

It looked weird at the time. Neither guy thought he scored.

What's been everyone's thoughts on Volkov lately?

I think he's as advertised in scouting reports. Some nights he's really on and very noticeable, and other nights you wonder if he's even in the game. With that said, I still think he's been decent and slowly progressing. I think he could use an extended break, like Foote had earlier in the season, to mentally work on putting the pieces together. In the meantime I would like to see Colton, BB, and Raddysh get into some games before that window closes when Stephens returns from injury.

Hearing Alexander Volkov going from TB to ANA, return will be late-round pick and a prospect.

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 25, 2021

The end of an era