IIHF

It was no secret that Alexander Khokhlachev and former Boston Bruins head coach Claude Julien did not see eye-to-eye. The latter hesitated to trust younger players and the former struggled to play the responsible style that would have earned him some trust under the old regime. The result was Khokhlachev leaving the Bruins organization to return home to Russia in the summer of 2016. Despite very promising offensive totals in three AHL seasons, including 68 points in 60 games in his last year, Khokhlachev was only given nine NHL starts over those three seasons and failed to record a point (though he did score a shootout goal). His decision to head to the KHL came as only a mild surprise given his lack of use despite clear ability. After playing a minor role for the league champions SKA St. Petersburg last year, Khokhlachev moved on to Spartak Moscow this season and led the team in scoring with 50 point in 52 games. Given that impressive production, as well as the stylistic changes and the success of young players in Boston under Bruce Cassidy, there was some thought that perhpas Khokhlachev would return to the Bruins next season to fight for the NHL job he felt he deserved. Instead, “Koko” will remain in Moscow for at least one more year, as the KHL announced that he has inked an extension with Spartak. Boston made a qualifying offer to Khokhlachev when he left as a restricted free agent and will continue to retain his rights, should he decide he wants to return to North America in the future.

• Any team looking to draft Rasmus Kupari in the first round of the NHL Draft this June should know that they’re getting a project player and not a quick fix. Kupari is considered by many to be a top first-round talent and is expected to be drafted anywhere between the #10 and #25 picks or so. He is considered one of, if not the best puck-handling forward in this draft class and seems to be the only right-handed natural center worthy of a pick anywhere in the first round. However, NHL.com European insider Igor Eronko reports that the young Finn is committed to staying at home and playing for Karpat of the Finnish Liiga for two more years, stating that it is his preferred developmental path. In a draft class that is extraordinarily shallow in elite talent down the middle, it’s an interesting conundrum to have perhaps the top center state that he has no intention to cross the Atlantic until at least 2020. Yet, Kupari’s ability is such that a team with less immediate needs will be happy to scoop him up if he begins to fall past the midpoint of the first round this year. The long-term plan for Kupari is likely to pay off.
• The IIHF World Championships for the top division of teams is still a week away from beginning, but the tournament for Divisions 1-A and 1-B will wrap up today. Of all the story lines in those tournaments, none is as interesting as the success of Great Britain. The British squad only earned their promotion to Group A last year with a Group B victory, but already they’re looking to make another leap. After beating Italy yesterday, the British took a commanding lead of the Group and, with one game remaining against host Hungary today, look to have locked up a promotion to the elite division next season. All Great Britain needs is a single point against fifth-place Hungary today or an overtime finish to Italy-Slovenia and they clinch a berth in next year’s top tournament. It would be the first time in 25 years that the British would play against the best in the world should they get a favorable result today. A royal baby, a royal wedding, and now a royal promotion – exciting times in the UK.