The rotation of goaltenders between North American and European pros is set to continue. Former Ottawa Senators goaltender Chris Driedger has terminated his deal with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk after playing in 23 games with the club. His next steps haven’t yet been laid out. Driedger has played in 67 NHL games and 217 AHL games over a 10-year pro career.
Russia was meant to offer the 31-year-old a fresh start after he managed an 11-9-6 record and .875 save percentage in 25 AHL games last season. Instead, his struggles continued overseas, with Driedger posting an 8-9-0 record and a .897 save percentage with Traktor. Chelyabinsk as a club is tied for the most goals allowed (98) in the KHL through their first 30 games.
Traktor will turn to 26-year-old Sergei Mylnikov to relieve Driedger’s starting role. Mylnikov hasn’t played since late October, as Traktor tried to force Driedger onto the positive side by awarding him every start in November. Now, the career backup will get his first chance to step into lofty minutes. He’ll be backed up by 23-year-old Saveli Sherstnev.
Meanwhile, Driedger will re-enter free agency. He seems destined for a return to North America, where he spent the entirety of his pro career prior to this season. He has had moments of genuinely strong play, including a .933 across 35 games with the Florida Panthers between 2019 and 2021. But a move to the Seattle Kraken in 2021 knocked his save percentage below .900. He was able to get above that mark in the minors – and even reached a .917 save percentage in 39 games with Coachella Valley in 2023-24. But it didn’t stick at the top flight, pushing Driedger to move across the world this summer.
Should he return to North America, Driedger would likely be set for a return to the AHL, where he’ll have a chance to earn a starting role once again. He’ll have to find success in that path before a return to the NHL comes into focus, especially after a down year in one of Europe’s top leagues.
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