After just one season in North America, Vladimir Tkachev has gone back to the KHL. The Los Angeles Kings restricted free agent has signed a one-year contract with Avangard Omsk, his hometown club.
Tkachev, 26, signed with the Kings last spring as an undrafted free agent but ended up spending most of the year in the minor leagues. He appeared in just four NHL games, recording two points in the process. For the Ontario Reign, where he was stationed for the majority of the season, the undersized forward added seven goals and 29 points in 41 regular season games.
Though the Kings can technically retain his exclusive rights by issuing him a qualifying offer this summer, those rights will expire when Tkachev turns 27. Since that happens in October, it means he’ll become an unrestricted free agent once again next year when this one-year KHL deal ends.
Whether he will consider a return at that point is unclear, though it should be noted this wasn’t his first time trying to carve out a career in North America. Tkachev also spent two seasons in the QMJHL as a young player, even coming within one goal of the league championship while playing for the Quebec Remparts.
If he does decide to come back, he would be able to once again negotiate with the entire league.
Remember when Oiler fans thought this guy was the 2nd coming… “Vladdy Hockey.” smh
Kuzmenko Is the latest Import that several GMs are salivating over, Be careful.