Veteran forward Martin Frk is reportedly heading overseas, with multiple sources indicating he has agreed to a two-year contract with the Shanghai Dragons of the KHL.
According to reports from Czech journalist Vojtěch Tůma and KHL insider accounts, the 32-year-old Czech has terms in place for the next two seasons with the Dragons, though the move has not yet been officially confirmed by the club.
Frk spent the 2025-26 season with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL affiliate of the Flames) on an AHL deal after signing a one-year, $775,000 NHL contract with Calgary the previous summer. He posted another strong minor-league campaign with 30 goals and 60 points in 66 games.
A second-round pick (49th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in 2012, Frk carved out a 124-game NHL career with stops in Detroit, Carolina, Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Calgary. Known for his heavy shot and elite AHL scoring touch, he has totaled 20 goals and 41 points in the NHL, surpassed 20 goals in the AHL seven times and helped the Grand Rapids Griffins capture the Calder Cup in the 2016-17 season.
At 6-foot-1 and 209 pounds, Frk has been a reliable AHL producer throughout his professional career but struggled to secure a full-time NHL role due to skating limitations. The move to the KHL could offer him a larger role, higher pay, and a return to a European-based league after years of North American shuttling.
This signing continues a trend of veteran North American/European players finding opportunities in the KHL as NHL depth options become more competitive.
Really hoped he would take that next step but never could