Speculation: Top KHL Players for the UFA Market

[Caser]

So, maybe a bit of a roundup of the latest rumors:

• As it was mentioned, Sharks, VGK, Avalanche and Canes are considered to be the teams in the race for Melnichuk.
• Habs' interest in Okulov reportedly is still alive, but there are also Sens and some other team (the Leafs were mentioned at some point in the season, but not sure they are looking for another winger after Barabanov's signing).
• Coyotes and LA Kings are reportedly teams that are interested in Naumenkov.
• Anton Burdasov might indeed give it another try to get in the NHL (still I will believe it when I'll see it).
• Bilyalov and Voynov are expected to stay in the KHL.
• Jaskin's NHL offers might be not too tempting, so Dynamo are hoping that they can make a good competitive offer.

 

[Mick Jagr]

Shipachyov has one more year on his KHL deal and his NHL rights are still held by Vegas. As for Bereglazov, he kind of wasn't that impressive recently, imo.

And by then Vadim Shipachyov will be 34 years old. Sadly, his chance to make an impact was when Vegas signed him... and then promptly mishandled him completely. At 34 years of age I doubt any NHL would be willing to pay him enough to leave the KHL. He's a megastar in the KHL, one of the league's best players. He can play out the rest of his career in his homeland making a ton of rubles tax free.

 

[barriers]

 

[rinaldo]

cam barker come home

 

[Caser]

Well, not like it would be surprising like at all.

cam barker come home

I can understand that the self-isolation can distort the sense of time, but it's been like two years now since Cam Barker last played in the KHL.

 

[VaporTrail]

All decent bets except Mikhail Grigorenko. Wouldn't want to take a chance on an age 35+ contract.

Agree...I think Greg O'Renko's ship has sailed

 

[Caser]

Kazakhstan medias are speculating that Nikita Mikhailis might sign in the NHL, not sure how much truth there is about it, but I'll just leave it here.


As for Jaskin, it sounds like he will likely re-sign with Dynamo, as NHL teams in the current uncertain times aren't ready to offer him decent role and money.

 

[SI]

Kazakhstan medias are speculating that Nikita Mikhailis might sign in the NHL, not sure how much truth there is about it, but I'll just leave it here.


As for Jaskin, it sounds like he will likely re-sign with Dynamo, as NHL teams in the current uncertain times aren't ready to offer him decent role and money.

If Mikko Lehtonen did sign with an NHL team, would that have to be an ELC?

 

[Caser]

If Mikko Lehtonen did sign with an NHL team, would that have to be an ELC?

Yes, for European-based players the first NHL contract has to be ELC unless they're already 28 years old.

 

[snipes]

What about Burdasov? He looked alright in the limited preseason action he got with the Oilers.

 

[Caser]

What about Burdasov? He looked alright in the limited preseason action he got with the Oilers.

Burdasov looked really meh this season comparing to the previous, so despite some of the rumors that are actually there, I will be quite surprised if that happens.

 

[snipes]

Burdasov looked really meh this season comparing to the previous, so despite some of the rumors that are actually there, I will be quite surprised if that happens.

Too bad, he actually looked somewhat decent in the preseason last year. Was hoping he’d get a chance to work on his game at SKA and come back on time for the preseason as he was a late arrival to camp last year due to some visa issues or something.

 

[SI]

Yes, for European-based players the first NHL contract has to be ELC unless they're already 28 years old.

Thank you - any news on whether he may come over to the NHL?

 

[Caser]

Too bad, he actually looked somewhat decent in the preseason last year. Was hoping he’d get a chance to work on his game at SKA and come back on time for the preseason as he was a late arrival to camp last year due to some visa issues or something.

The issue also is that we don't know when the pre-season will be this time. For example, if it will be in November then Burdasov will be without game practice for like 6 months, not easy to make an impression in these conditions.

Thank you - any news on whether he may come over to the NHL?

I don't really have access to Finnish medias, but on twitter I searched and found some posts that it might indeed be happening. But if it is true, then the first thing that we will hear are the news about the termination of his KHL contract.

 

[Matteo]

Mikko Lehtonen, he doesn't have anything left to prove in Europe. He is still signed with Jokerit next year, but im sure they ain't gonna stand in his way. Jokerit will terminate his contract, if Lehtonen wants.

Mikko Lehtonen at eliteprospects.com

I'd really like to see him play in the NHL, he's improved pretty well over the last three season and I believe he's among the 5 best D-men currently not playing in NA.

Moreover, I hope Malte Stromwall has his shot to play in the NHL, his last two seasons have been lights out.

 

[SI]

I'd really like to see him play in the NHL, he's improved pretty well over the last three season and I believe he's among the 5 best D-men currently not playing in NA.

Moreover, I hope Malte Stromwall has his shot to play in the NHL, his last two seasons have been lights out.

does Lehtonen have another year with Jokerit?

 

[rinaldo]

Well, not like it would be surprising like at all.



I can understand that the self-isolation can distort the sense of time, but it's been like two years now since Cam Barker last played in the KHL.

russia -Europe whatever

 

[Caser]

does Lehtonen have another year with Jokerit?

Yes, he does, at least currently.

russia -Europe whatever

Yeah, can't really argue with that.

 

[barriers]

 

[Caser]

Yeah, just wanted to post that too. I think here it is another example of covid19 getting in the way, as the 1 year contract length is hinting that it is just to wait until the time of uncertaincy is gone. Same is expected with Jaskin's contract, as reportedly it wil be a 1 year deal too (with a prolongation option though).

 

[Caser]

Reportedly Malte Stromwall also is not willing to face this kind of uncertainties even despite having initially agreed on a move to the Red Wings.

 

[Caser]

Corban Knight's agent mentioned that return to NA is among the possible options.

 

[barriers]

Another player staying put in the KHL next season.

 

[Caser]

Another player staying put in the KHL next season.

Yep, probably indeed there was not much sense in my article at all, since that virus is killing almost all the possible transactions.

 

[barriers]

Yep, probably indeed there was not much sense in my article at all, since that virus is killing almost all the possible transactions.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who enjoyed reading it and look on the bright side, next year's article is already half-done!