"He told me lots of interesting things about (Calgary)," Nikolaev, speaking through a translator, announced after being drafted by the Flames in the third round, 88th overall Saturday.
"I've looked into the city and team before.
"Really nice place.
"It's a great team and a great organization, and they play the style that I like. I'm very happy to now be a part of it."
Milstein represents a fellow Russian, highly coveted UFA forward Artemi Panarin, but is best known around these parts for his recent involvement with Brad Treliving and the Flames.
Another client of his, fellow Flames prospect Dmitry Zavgorodniy, recently signed a three-year entry level contract with the club after a strong showing in his first year under the big top of the pro development program.
With this latest asset, along with the signing of free-agent goaltender Artyom Zagidulin earlier this off-season, the Russians are, indeed, coming.
Like Zagidulin and Zavgorodniy before him, Nikolaev fits the mould of what head amateur scout Tod Button wanted to add at this year's draft.
"He's a solid, two-way centre that played with the 10th-overall pick (Vasily Podkolzin) and they were really good together," Button said. "They had different wingers, but he was the hub of that line.
"He's a guy that connects the defencemen to the wingers. Solid playmaker; smart, competitive, and we're very happy we got him."