Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

KHL

Alex Galchenyuk Signs With KHL’s St. Petersburg

at CDT | by 11 Comments

August 25: Galchenyuk has indeed signed in the KHL, although it’s not with the expected team. He’s joining SKA St. Petersburg on a two-year contract, according to the team. Galchenyuk recently took a plea deal for a misdemeanor charge as part of the July incident, which resulted in five other charges against him being dropped, per Katie Strang of The Athletic.

August 6: Per a report out of Russia, free agent forward Alex Galchenyuk is likely to sign with the KHL’s Spartak Moscow this summer. Galchenyuk had signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Coyotes when NHL free agency opened on July 1, but the team terminated his contract over a week later after Galchenyuk was arrested on a number of charges, which included a private property hit-and-run and resisting arrest. The 29-year-old issued public apologies to the Coyotes organization and the Scottsdale, Arizona, police department and is currently in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Galchenyuk, who has now amassed over 650 NHL games over an 11-season career, played a career-low 11 NHL games last season for the Colorado Avalanche and spent most of the campaign in the minors. Returning to the Coyotes would have brought him back to the organization where he’s had his most productive seasons since the Montreal Canadiens, who drafted him third overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, dealt him away in 2018. Formerly a 30-goal scorer, Galchenyuk was held off the scoresheet entirely in his games with Colorado last season, but he did post 16 goals, 26 assists and 42 points in 42 games while in the AHL with the Colorado Eagles.

Even in limited minutes with Colorado last season, Galchenyuk no longer looked comfortable in NHL action. Averaging just 7:06 per game, Galchenyuk posted a rather horrid relative Corsi for percentage at even strength of -11.6. Head coach Jared Bednar’s usage of him likely didn’t help matters, though. He started just 39.2% of his zone starts at even strength in the offensive zone, by far a career low.

It’s unclear for how long Galchenyuk is expected to sign with Moscow, but after his arrest and lack of sustainable NHL play last season, it’s conceivable he plays the rest of his pro career overseas. Galchenyuk was born in the United States and has represented the U.S. internationally, but was born to Belarusian parents and is fluent in Russian. He has never played professionally in Russia, however. If he does indeed join Spartak, he’d line up alongside a forward corps ripe with former NHLers, including Alexander Burmistrov, Nikolay Goldobin, Andrei Loktionov, and Shane Prince.

Russian Ice Hockey Federation Appeals Ivan Fedotov Ruling

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Earlier this week, the IIHF issued its ruling on Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov, stating that the tolled contract with Philadelphia is the one that is valid, not the two-year agreement he recently signed with CSKA Moscow of the KHL.  Not surprisingly, Victoria Kravchenko of Sport-Express relays that the Russian Ice Hockey Federation has officially appealed the ruling, submitting it on Friday.

Fedotov originally signed a one-year contract with Philadelphia for the 2022-23 campaign but then was told that he needed to fulfill his one year of mandatory military service which he has now completed.  Philadelphia’s assertion is that since their original deal is still valid since it was tolled, the 26-year-old should be suiting up for them next season.

The IIHF’s ruling clearly saw it that way as they suspended Fedotov from appearing in any “official national and international games during playing periods” from September 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.  Meanwhile, CSKA also received a significant sanction as they are now prohibited from making any international transfers for one year until August 10, 2024.  CSKA has since stated that they believe the IIHF’s ruling was biased.

The appeal actually goes against what Fedotov’s agent J.P. Barry indicated late last month to TSN’s Darren Dreger (Twitter link) when he issued a statement saying that Fedotov would abide by the ruling whichever way it went.  As it turns out, Fedotov suited up for CSKA today in preseason action which doesn’t qualify as international games under the IIHF’s ruling.  Clearly, even with the IIHF’s ruling in Philadelphia’s favor, this file is far from being settled.

Ryan Merkley Signs In KHL

at CDT | by 3 Comments

Former San Jose Sharks first-round pick defenseman Ryan Merkley is taking his services overseas at just 23 years old, as the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star has signed him to a one-year contract.

Merkley’s transition to pro hockey has been rocky, to say the least. The Sharks signed him to his entry-level contract just days after the 2018 Draft, but his contract slid for two seasons as he was returned to the OHL’s Guelph Storm for both seasons. Turning pro in 2020, Merkley registered 11 points in 31 games during his first outing with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda, sticking in the minors throughout and looking to round out his game, which had well-documented defensive concerns.

His production never really took off from there, however, limiting his effectiveness in the area the Sharks hoped he could excel. He did get an extended NHL look in 2021-22, though, playing in 39 games with the Sharks but registering just a goal and six points. That could very well be the only NHL ice he ever sees.

Merkley didn’t make San Jose out of camp last season and was assigned to the minors, where he played out the entire 2022-23 season, posting 22 points in 58 games. In January, the Sharks dealt Merkley to the Colorado Avalanche for another disgruntled prospect, Martin Kaut, who also didn’t register much of an impact in the Sharks organization. After Merkley didn’t gain much of a significant role in Colorado’s system with the Eagles in the AHL, they opted not to qualify him in June and let him become an unrestricted free agent.

With no rumored NHL offers, Merkley heads to the KHL, where he could very well play out his pro career, including some other destinations in Europe. Signing in China, Merkley joins a Kunlun team captained by former NHLer Brandon Yip. He’ll need to show significant strides overseas in order to potentially regain an NHL contract some point down the line.

East Notes: Trade Targets, Amirov Jersey Retirement, Nylander

at CDT | by 6 Comments

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander and Winnipeg Jets players Connor Hellebuyck and Mark Scheifele land atop the latest Trade Targets list from The Athletic, written by Shayna Goldman. All pending unrestricted free agents, Nylander finds himself first on the list after recording a career-high 40 goals and 87 points in 82 games last season. As Goldman notes, it’s highly unlikely a potential Nylander extension becomes top of mind for Toronto GM Brad Treliving until an extension for teammate Auston Matthews is signed, sealed and delivered.

Regarding Hellebuyck, his trade value has decreased in recent months, with teams shying away from doling out large sums of cash to bonafide starting netminders, instead looking for value options in the crease to guide them deep in the playoffs. Goldman posits, however, that it’s a method that can work only for a select few – namely Colorado and Vegas, as it has the past two seasons, given the strengths of their defense corps. While teams should be rightfully wary about handing out too much term to Hellebuyck on an extension, given he’s already 31 years old, acquiring a clear-cut elite starter is still necessary for some teams to reach championship contention. Other names on the list included Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce, Calgary Flames players Noah Hanifin and Elias Lindholm, and Arizona Coyotes forwards Nick Schmaltz and Jason Zucker.

  • In a well-deserved and meaningful gesture, KHL club Salavat Yulaev Ufa will be retiring Rodion Amirov’s number 27 after the young forward passed away from a years-long battle with a brain tumor on Tuesday, according to The Hockey News’ David Alter. The 21-year-old Maple Leafs prospect had suited up in 70 games for his hometown team before he had to stop his playing career in 2021 to undergo cancer treatment. Reports indicate Salavat’s captain, 625-game KHL veteran Grigori Panin, initiated the decision.
  • Alexander Nylander is a candidate to slide into the Pittsburgh Penguins’ top six to begin the season, says The Athletic’s Rob Rossi. The 2016 eighth-overall pick could get a look at either Sidney Crosby’s or Evgeni Malkin’s left wing with Jake Guentzel sidelined for the first few games of 2023-24 after undergoing ankle surgery earlier this month. Now on his third NHL organization, the 25-year-old Nylander will look to capture a full-time spot in the NHL for the first time since he played 65 games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019-20.

Minor Transactions: 08/17/23

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The 2023-24 regular season is quickly approaching – if you’re a European team, that is. The KHL’s season commences on September 1, with other notable leagues, such as the SHL and the Liiga, beginning soon after. With that in mind, we’re keeping tabs on notable minor deals coming across the wire from non-NHL leagues:

  • The KHL’s SKA St. Petersburg signed defenseman Andrey Pedan to a two-year contract extension today, per an Instagram announcement from the club. Pedan, 30, was a 2011 third-round draft pick of the New York Islanders but was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks before eventually making his NHL debut in 2015-16. He played 13 games in the NHL that year, going without a point and registering a -3 rating. He hasn’t gotten another NHL shot since then, and he left the North American minor pro ranks for Russia in 2018 after a quick stint in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization. Pedan was SKA’s best shutdown defender last season, leading the team with a +32 rating and had five goals and 20 points in 64 games. He remains with a team loaded with former and future NHL talent, such as 2024 prospective top-five pick forward Ivan Demidov, Philadelphia Flyers forward prospect Matvei Michkov, Carolina Hurricanes defense prospect Alexander Nikishin, and former Carolina Hurricanes winger Valentin Zykov.
  • 23-year-old forward Jake Wise has signed a one-year deal to remain with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers in 2023-24, per a team announcement. Wise was a 2018 third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, but they let his exclusive signing rights lapse earlier this week by not signing him to an entry-level contract. Wise wrapped up his collegiate career with 12 goals, 27 assists and 39 points in 40 games for Ohio State last season before adding a goal and two assists to end the season with Charlotte in one regular-season and one playoff game. He’ll compete among the Florida Panthers’ prospects slated for minor-league action and looks to earn an entry-level deal with a strong rookie campaign.
  • Late yesterday, the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins re-signed forward Samuel Houde to a one-year contract for next year, according to a team release. In doing so, he remains with the only professional organization he’s ever known since turning pro in 2021. Formerly a Montreal Canadiens prospect after they selected him in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL Draft, the team opted not to sign him to an entry-level contract, and he signed in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after completing five years of service with the QMJHL’s Chicoutimi Saguenéens. Now 23 years old, Houde avoided ECHL assignment last season and will look to do so again. In 84 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton thus far, Houde has 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points.
  • Former Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Svedberg signed a one-year contract with HC Bolzano of the ICEHL today, per a team release. Svedberg, an undrafted free agent signing out of Europe by the Boston Bruins in 2012, immediately burst onto the scene in the minors with AHL Providence, recording a .925 save percentage in 48 games and taking home AHL Rookie of the Year and Goaltender of the Year honors. Things never quite panned out in the NHL for Svedberg, though, as he made just 19 appearances in Boston over the following two seasons before returning to Europe in the summer of 2015. An attempted NHL comeback in 2017-18 didn’t work out, either, as he was relegated to third-string duties for the Minnesota Wild and again spent the season in a starting role in the AHL. Now 33, the Swede is in the twilight of his career and is beginning to struggle with injuries and inconsistency. He suited up in just 12 games for the DEL’s Fischtown Penguins last season, recording a 4-8-0 record and a .904 save percentage.
  • The AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds took a large step toward filling out their depth for next season, bringing back forwards Mitchell Hoelscher, Steven Jandric and defenseman Austin Osmanski on one-year deals, per a team post on X. Hoelscher, 23, was a 2018 sixth-round pick of the New Jersey Devils but never signed his entry-level contract and his exclusive signing rights have since expired. He played in a career-high 57 AHL games for the Thunderbirds last season, scoring nine goals and adding seven assists for 16 points. Jandric, 25, will slot in on the wing and recorded eight points in 31 games with Springfield in 2022-23, his first full pro campaign after finishing his collegiate career at Merrimack. Osmanski, a 2016 draft selection of the Buffalo Sabres, returns to Springfield for his third season in the organization. He’s compiled a goal and six points in 34 appearance there thus far.

This page will be updated throughout the day.

Minor Transactions: 08/16/23

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Notable NHL moves are few and far between this late in the summer. There was some significant news in the Atlantic Division yesterday, with the Detroit Red Wings acquiring defenseman Jeff Petry from the Montreal Canadiens. However, there isn’t anything else major slated to happen anytime soon until training camps begin next month. The European schedule is a few weeks ahead of the NHL’s, though, and most leagues overseas have already begun their preseason and start the 2023-24 campaign in earnest in just a few weeks. That means there are a fair bit of last-minute moves trickling in. We’re keeping track of today’s notable minor moves here.

  • Former Edmonton Oilers prospect Ostap Safin has converted on an overseas PTO and will suit up for the KHL’s Lada Togliatti in 2023-24, according to a team release. Edmonton selected the Czech winger in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Draft and signed him to an entry-level contract less than a year later. The deal ran until the 2021-22 campaign, and with Safin failing to establish a full-time AHL role for himself over the course of three pro seasons, Edmonton opted not to issue him a qualifying offer and let him become an unrestricted free agent. He returned home last season, finally solidifying a pro role in Czechia with eight goals, five assists and 13 points in 41 games for Extraliga club HC Sparta Praha. Now 24 years old, he heads to Togliatti, joining a roster that includes former Winnipeg Jets forward Scott Kosmachuk.
  • In a confirmed transaction with the Ontario Reign, forward Jacob Doty will suit up for the team for the fifth straight season. Before his time with the Reign starting in the 2019-20 AHL season, Doty had been split fairly evenly between the AHL and ECHL. The Denver, CO native has suited up in 151 games over the last eight seasons in the AHL, scoring nine goals and 14 assists in total. At the ECHL level, Doty is a veteran of 159 games in only four years, scoring 13 goals and 23 assists.
  • In a press release this afternoon, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins have announced a one-year contract extension for center Samuel Houde. After an impressive stint with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL during the 2021-22 season, scoring 13 goals and 30 assists in only 31 games, Houde earned a full-time spot for the baby Penguins last year. His goal-scoring ability remained above average, but his playmaking abilities took a hit, scoring 12 goals and eight assists in 65 games last year. Although not appearing like much on paper, on a basement-dwelling Penguins team last year, those numbers were good for 10th on the team in total scoring, and fifth on the team in goals scored.

This page will be updated throughout the day.

IIHF Upholds Ivan Fedotov’s Contract With Flyers

at CDT | by 1 Comment

The IIHF has ruled netminder Ivan Fedotov has a valid NHL contract with the Philadelphia Flyers for 2023-24, upholding the tolled deal originally signed for the 2022-23 campaign. Fedotov had signed an entry-level deal with the Flyers last summer but was prohibited from coming to North America to complete required military service in Russia. He then signed a two-year contract with KHL club CSKA Moskva in July, causing the Flyers to file a dispute with the IIHF.

In doing so, the IIHF determined both Fedotov and CSKA violated the organization’s International Transfer Regulations, resulting in sanctions and suspensions for both. The IIHF suspended Fedotov from appearing in any “official national and international games during playing periods” from September 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, keeping him out of a Russian uniform for that time. It’s unclear whether that suspension affects his eligibility to play for the Flyers, which his agent, JP Barry, said Fedotov would do if the IIHF ruled in their favor. The suspension was doled out as a result of Fedotov not obtaining a release from the Flyers within two weeks of signing with CSKA (or returning to Philadelphia and leaving CSKA) within two weeks of the KHL registering his contract.

CSKA also received a significant sanction from the international governing body, prohibiting them from making any international transfers for one year until August 10, 2024. It’s a powerful blow to one of the best professional teams outside the NHL, whose pool of potential talent has shrunk in a big way for the short term.

What’s for certain is Fedotov’s entry-level deal carrying a $925K cap hit is now officially on the Flyers’ books for next season. After three incredibly strong seasons in the KHL, culminating in a goalie of the year award in 2022 after he posted a 2.00 goals-against average and .919 save percentage in 26 games for CSKA, he’ll now compete for playing time in a crowded Flyers crease that includes Carter Hart, Calvin Petersen, Felix Sandström, and Samuel Ersson. Fedotov does not require waivers to be assigned to the AHL, something Philadelphia has full power to do.

Based on pure ability, Fedotov is likely the second-best netminder under contract with Philadelphia right now and deserves a look at the backup role behind Hart if eligible. However, it’s important to note he hasn’t played pro hockey in a year, thanks to his military service. The Flyers will need to scout him closely at camp before determining what their goalie depth chart looks like to begin 2023-24.

Evgeny Svechnikov Signs In KHL

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

August 11th: The KHL and Ak Bars Kazan have confirmed the signing of Svechnikov to a two-year deal this morning.

August 9th: Over the last couple of offseasons, it has taken free agent winger Evgeny Svechnikov a while to find a contract.  Considering he hasn’t signed within the first five-plus weeks of NHL free agency, it appeared as if things were heading in that direction again.  Instead, it appears he has chosen a different path as a report from Shaiba in Kazakhstan suggests that Svechnikov is expected to sign with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL.

Last season, the 26-year-old played in 59 games with San Jose, recording eight goals and six assists while logging just 10:45 per game.  It continued a trend from the year before in Winnipeg where he produced at a similar rate (19 points in 72 games) while again logging 10:45 per contest.  Those performances were a step up from his time with Detroit, however, as he spent the bulk of his four years in the minors.

Svechnikov would have been a candidate for a PTO agreement that could have been converted into what likely would have been a two-way deal.  Instead, the 2015 15th-overall pick will try a different path, one that will allow him to play closer to home and likely will give him an opportunity to have a more significant role offensively.  If that does happen, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Svechnikov could get himself back on the NHL radar with a good showing next season.

Minor Transactions: 08/09/23

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

There were a few small moves around the NHL today and that was also the case around the hockey world.  Here’s a rundown of some of the latest minor transactions.

  • Boston’s farm team in Providence announced the signing of forward Jimmy Lambert to a one-year deal. The 26-year-old wrapped his college career at Michigan in 2021-22 and spent last season on an AHL deal with the Islanders’ affiliate.  Lambert had seven points in 33 games with AHL Bridgeport but was much more productive with Worcester of the ECHL, collecting 24 points in just 27 contests.
  • Seattle’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley announced that they’ve re-signed defenseman Jake McLaughlin to a one-year contract. The 27-year-old spent the bulk of last season in the ECHL, notching 19 points in 32 games with Kansas City but did get into two games with the Firebirds.  McLaughlin has seen AHL action in each of his four professional seasons after going undrafted out of UMass.
  • Former NHL center Eric O’Dell is extending his stay overseas as he inked a one-year extension with Dynamo Moskva, per a team release. The 33-year-old has 41 career NHL appearances under his belt with Winnipeg along with six seasons of AHL experience, spanning nearly 250 games.  However, O’Dell has been in the KHL since 2016-17 and has been fairly productive, notching 178 points in 295 games.  Last season, the middleman had 16 goals and 15 assists in 33 appearances.

West Notes: Kadri, Dea, Halttunen

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

In an interview with Mike Zeisberger of the NHL, Nazem Kadri lamented about the lack of success for the Calgary Flames last season, both as an individual and as a team. One of the most important quotes from Kadri came when he said, “For whatever reason, we got a little restricted last year, so I’m just looking forward to a clean slate and starting the year off strong”.

Zeisberger notes that Kadri would not elaborate if the use of the word ’restrict’ was mostly attributed to former-head coach Darryl Sutter, but most would guess this is the case due to Sutter’s infamous coaching style. Nevertheless, after experiencing a 31-point drop year-on-year in his first season with the Flames, Kadri is excited about once again getting a clean slate coming into the season.

Although Calgary did miss the playoffs last season, they were not far off from crossing the finish line, finishing two points out of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. As much as the team would like to make its way back to the postseason, all signs are pointing to a year of transition rather quickly, as Mikael Backlund, Elias Lindholm, and Noah Hanifin have all refused to sign extensions, causing them to see their names pop up in trade rumors rather frequently.

Other notes:

  • Only four days ago, word came out that the Arizona Coyotes had put forward Jean-Sebastien Dea on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating the final year of his contract. Going several days without a home for the upcoming season, we now have clarity on Dea’s future. Per the team’s X account, Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL has announced a one-year contract agreement between them and Dea. A 10-year veteran of the American Hockey League, this will be Dea’s first time playing professionally overseas, perhaps finishing his time in North American hockey.
  • A few months after being drafted in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, San Jose Sharks prospect, Kasper Halttunen, will be joining the London Knights of the OHL for the 2023-24 season (X Link). Halttunen spent last season playing for HIFK of the Finnish Liiga, producing one assist in 27 games. Although not much of a speed threat on the ice, Halttunen is a power forward through and through, providing a lot of physicality and a heavy shot from the wing.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

scroll to top