Didn't he randomly go back to Russia for a year a couple of seasons ago right when it looked like he was going to be an NHL player?
Mamin's journey was the following:
- 2016 6th Round Pick as a 21-year-old long shot
- Dale Tallon blows up the Panthers roster in June 2017
- Tallon signs a bunch of Europeans (including Mamin) hoping that a few of them would be able to fill the gaping holes in our lineup
- Mamin showed potential, but clearly wasn't NHL ready, in 2017-18
- Mamin spends the rest of the year in the AHL
- Mamin starts 2018-19 with the Panthers, but still isn't NHL material
- Instead of going to AHL, he is loaned to Russia, where he stays for a few seasons
- Zito signs him (and like two dozen other forwards) to compete for spots in the 2021-22 season
- Mamin gets some chances, but he's never given a long-term, consistent look in our lineup
- When he does play, he looks great. Has hands, can carry the puck, is a fast, powerful skater, uses his big body, strong two-way play and active stick...
- Leaves for Russia again