KHL Determines Final Standings
The KHL has arrived at an interesting way of determining their final standings for the 2019-20 season. After canceling the playoffs in late-March and announcing that they would not award the Gagarin Cup this season, the league has progressed normally into their free agent period this month. Today, they have released the final standings with a unique twist.
The eight teams that had clinched the second round of the playoffs before the cancelation have all been awarded an equal “1-8 place” at the top of the standings. The other 16 teams fall into place behind them.
Notably, the “1-8” group includes Jokerit even though the Finnish squad actually pulled out of the playoffs before a decision was made by the league.
The NHL is surely watching how other leagues determine their standings, as they would have to make a similar decision should the resumption of play never actually take place. This kind of a playoff group at the top may not seem prudent for a league that relies so heavily on draft ranking, though given that the draft seems destined to happen next month regardless of whether the season is canceled or not, perhaps that wouldn’t be an issue.
Alexey Marchenko, Others Re-Sign In KHL
Just a few months ago it appeared as though Alexey Marchenko was considering a return to the NHL. The Montreal Canadiens were suggested as a landing spot, given his familiarity with top prospect Alexander Romanov, who is expected to make the leap to the NHL next season.
Marchenko won’t be coming to Montreal or anywhere else in North America however, as he has signed a new two-year contract with Lokomotiv in the KHL.
The 28-year old defenseman played in 121 NHL contests, mostly with the Detroit Red Wings, before returning to the KHL in 2017. Though he never found much success in North America, he has been a key contributor in Russia, taking home an All-Star nod and Gagarin Cup championship in 2019 with CSKA Moscow. He also won Olympic gold with Russia in 2018.
Marchenko isn’t the only familiar name hitting the transaction page in the KHL today. Stephane Da Costa and Alexander Burmistrov have new one-year deals with Ak Bars, Andrei Kostitsyn has a new one-year deal with Neftekhimik and, interestingly, Victor Antipin saw his deal with Mettalurg terminated.
Antipin played in 47 games for the Buffalo Sabres in 2017-18 before returning to Russia. It is not clear where his next step lies.
Pontus Aberg Linked To KHL
After a year spent almost entirely in the minor leagues, Pontus Aberg could be headed overseas. The Toronto Maple Leafs forward has been offered a contract in the KHL according to a report out of Sweden, though with the uncertainty of the NHL season he may not be able to sign it at this point. Aberg of course is still part of an organization that has their sights set on a playoff run this summer (fall?).
The 26-year old Aberg was one of several NHL veterans that signed short-term deals with the Maple Leafs last summer without any guarantee of NHL playing time. He ended up on waivers at the end of training camp and then played most of the season with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. In 55 minor league contests he showed just how dominant he could be at that level, scoring 20 goals and 44 points.
Aberg did get a cup of coffee with the Maple Leafs, playing in five games when the team was dealing with injury. He recorded a single assist during that time, despite even getting a (very) short look beside star center Auston Matthews. For his career, Aberg has recorded 44 points in 132 NHL games.
Selected 37th overall by the Nashville Predators in 2012, there have been flashes of skill from the Swedish forward including a strong performance for the club in the 2017 playoffs. Unfortunately he just hasn’t been able to turn that skill into any consistency at the NHL level and could be trying to get his career back on track overseas. Again, any new deal will likely have to wait on the NHL season being completed or canceled–even though the KHL doesn’t technically have a transfer agreement.
Grigori Denisenko Signs Entry-Level Contract
The Florida Panthers will be bringing over one of their top prospects, agreeing to terms with Grigori Denisenko on a three-year entry-level contract. The young forward spent the last two seasons in the KHL, playing for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. Panthers GM Dale Tallon released a short statement on the agreement:
Grigori is an exciting, dynamic and highly skilled young forward who has been a top player on the international stage and served as captain of Team Russia at the World Juniors. We are thrilled for his bright future with the Panthers for years to come.
There are few prospects with more upside than the 19-year old Denisenko, who recorded 12 points in 38 games this season in the KHL. The teenage forward led Russia in scoring at the World Juniors for the second consecutive year, captaining them to a silver medal in the process (they won bronze in his first go-round).
Along with his immense skill, is his willingness to engage physically when necessary, making him a well-rounded fit for several different roles at the next level. He’s not a power forward by any means—Denisenko stands just 5’11” 180-lbs—but he also isn’t just a perimeter player.
Selected 15th overall in 2018, you can bet the Panthers front office and coaching staff are excited to finally get their hands on Denisenko in order to start him on their own development program. He joins quite a talented group of prospect forwards, including other high-end talents like Owen Tippett and Henrik Borgstrom.
Snapshots: Polak, Khokhlachev, Shirokov, Amonte
At 34 years old, defenseman Roman Polak played in just 41 games this season with the Dallas Stars, his fewest appearances since he was a young prospect back in 2007-08. He also recorded just four points, his fewest since becoming a full-time NHLer. All signs point toward the veteran defender’s time at the top level coming to a close, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he is ready to retire. Instead, Czech source Hokej believes that Polak could return home to continue his career. It is believed that the HC Vitkovice Steel of the Czech Extraliga, with whom Polak played before moving to North America and again during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, could be the most likely landing spot for Polak. The physical stay-at-home defender would still be a major boost for the roster, not to mention a fan favorite as a local product returning from a long NHL career. Vitkovice head coach Mojmír Trličík confirms that he has already been in contact with Polak, whose NHL contract has not yet officially expired, and is excited about the prospect of adding the established vet. He does note that Polak could be of interest elsewhere in Europe, but the door will always remain open for a return to the Steel.
- There was a trade of note in the KHL on Sunday as Alexander Khokhlachev and Sergei Shirokov were swapped one-for-one by their respective teams. Avangard Omsk receives Khokhlachev, 26, a center whose rights are owned by the Boston Bruins. Going the other way to Spartak Moscow is Shirokov, 34, a former Vancouver Canuck and a long-time KHL standout. While Shirokov is in the twilight of his career, he can still be a useful two-way forward for Moscow and just recently signed a two-year contract extension. Meanwhile, Khokhlachev may be the better player right now but is entering the final year of his KHL contract and may be eyeing an NHL return. Moving to a new team for next season may only increase his likelihood of departing. The Bruins retain Khokhlachev’s rights through June 30, 2021, after which he enters his age 27 league year and his RFA rights expire. Boston has openly discussed in the past that they have maintained contact with “Koko” and would be open to bringing him back. The team could also trade away his rights, which would gain more value should he openly admit his plans to return to the league. Khokhlachev could also wait out the expiration of his rights and sign with any team he likes next summer. There are multiple avenues for his return and this trade could be a sign that he is likely to take one.
- Tristan Amonte will follow in the footsteps famous father Tony, brother Ty, and NHL cousin Charlie Coyle and attend Boston University. The BCHL’s Penticton Vees, who Amonte will again play for next season, announced that their standout forward will join the Terriers in 2021-22. Amonte, who played for his dad and alongside his brother at Thayer Academy before joining Penticton, continues a strong family legacy that he hopes leads to his long-term success in hockey. An intriguing possibility could be that he can once again play with his brother as well. Ty, who also played for Penticton but for just one season, completed his junior season this year but did not play a single game due to injury. Ty thus has two years of NCAA eligibility remaining, which he could use to play a fifth year at BU during Tristan’s freshman campaign. It remains to be seen whether an Amonte reunion will occur for the Terriers, but it remains an exciting family development nevertheless. Neither Amonte brother was drafted, but both will still inevitably draw some pro interest when they leave the college ranks.
San Jose Sharks Sign Alexei Melnichuk
The San Jose Sharks have won the race for KHL goaltender Alexei Melnichuk, signing him to an entry-level contract according to his agent Dan Milstein. San Jose had been one of several teams pursuing the young goaltender, who is coming off an excellent debut in the KHL.
In 16 appearances this season, Melnichuk recorded a 1.68 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. Though KHL save numbers are often higher than those in the NHL, the 21-year old still more than held his ground as a rookie for St. Petersburg and obviously has a bright future.
Because Melnichuk turns 22 this summer the deal will be a two-year entry-level contract. The Sharks already do have a few goaltending prospects in their system, but because of his pro experience in Russia Melnichuk may actually jump to the top of the line.
It’s important to remember with this signing that Aaron Dell, who has served as an NHL backup for the last several seasons, is scheduled for unrestricted free agency. There will likely be an opportunity with the team in the short term, perhaps one that the young Russian will get a crack at.
Toronto Maple Leafs Sign Mikko Lehtonen
Among the most coveted KHL free agents this season was Mikko Lehtonen, who dominated the league in his first season with Jokerit to the tune of 49 points in 60 games. Lehtonen has made a decision on where his career will continue, signing a one-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 26-year old defenseman has been widely seen as a potential NHL option for the last few years, especially following his outstanding performance at the 2019 World Championship where he helped Finland take home the gold medal. His single season in the KHL cemented him as one of the best defensemen playing outside the NHL, though he’ll still have to prove it on North American ice.
For the Maple Leafs, going after a player like Lehtonen was a no-brainer given their situation on defense going into next season. Cody Ceci and Tyson Barrie are both unrestricted free agents, while a stagnant salary cap will not leave them with much room to add any high-priced talent.
Obviously though, adding another left-handed defenseman isn’t an ideal situation for the Maple Leafs, who have a lopsided depth chart on the back end. If Barrie and Ceci both depart, it would leave Justin Holl as the only established right-handed option on the team. Young prospect Timothy Liljegren is expected to compete for a full-time role, but there will have to be players spending time on their off-side next season.
Bob McKenzie of TSN notes that Lehtonen does have some experience playing on the right, though suggests Travis Dermott would be the most likely candidate to move over.
Mikko Lehtonen Terminates KHL Deal, Expected To Play In The NHL Next Season
Finnish defenseman Mikko Lehtonen had quite the first season in the KHL where he led all blueliners in scoring. That was enough to generate some NHL interest as his club team in Jokerit announced that they and Lehtonen have mutually agreed to terminate his contract to allow him to sign in the NHL for next season.
Wherever he signs, Lehtonen will be continuing his recent nomadic journey. In 2016-17, he spent most of the year in the Finnish SM-liiga before getting released to play in the SHL. The following year, he went back to Finland before returning to the SHL in 2018-19. Of course, he went back to Finland for this season but played in a different league.
The 26-year-old (not to be confused with the former Boston prospect who shares the same name) had never really been a prolific offensive player before this season; his career high in points heading into the year was 29 set two years ago in the SM-liiga. However, he picked up 17 goals and 32 assists in 60 regular season games while adding four points in six playoff contests to set new bests across the board and really get him on the NHL radar.
Given the year he just had, he may very well be able to land some achievable incentives as there should be a fair amount of interest in his services. Sportsnet’s Luke Fox reports that the Canadiens, Devils, and Kings are among the teams that will be going after him.
Lehtonen will be restricted to signing a one-year, entry-level contract; while North American plays are exempt from the entry-level system at 25, Europeans must be 28 before being exempted from there. That means his maximum salary (including signing bonus) will be capped at $925K although he will be eligible for performance bonuses in his deal.
Nikolay Kulemin, Corban Knight Re-Sign In KHL
If you were wondering if former Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders forward Nikolay Kulemin would ever entertain a return to the NHL, you may have received your answer today. Kulemin signed a new two-year contract with Magnitogorsk, which will take him through his age-35 season.
Last playing in the NHL during the 2017-18 season, Kulemin’s career in North America included a 30-goal season as a member of the Maple Leafs. The two-way forward was never a star but did pile up 274 points in 669 NHL games.
Back in Russia playing for his hometown team, Kulemin has rediscovered his goal-scoring touch, tallying 28 over the last two seasons.
He was one of many players who signed new contracts in the KHL today, in their first day of free agency. Another name that will be familiar to NHL fans is Corban Knight, who signed a two-year deal with Avangard. Knight scored 40 points in his first season in the KHL after bouncing between the AHL and NHL for years. The 29-year old played 23 games for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2018-19, but took his talents overseas where he has already found more success.
Arsen Khisamutdinov Agrees To Terms With Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens have convinced one of their draft picks to join the organization, agreeing to terms with Arsen Khisamutdinov on a two-year entry-level contract. Khisamutdinov had been playing in Russia, splitting the 2019-20 season between the KHL and VHL.
Despite being selected in 2019, Khisamutdinov is already 22 years old and was only eligible for a two-year contract. The 6’3″ forward had just three points in his 31 KHL contests after being selected in the sixth round last year.
There’s still a long way to go for the 22-year old Russian, who is still more of a lottery ticket or “project” for the Canadiens development system. While he was a dominant offensive player in junior, it’s difficult to know if that skill will translate to the professional ranks. Montreal obviously believes they can work with him and make him into an asset for the organization, but it may be some time before you hear Khisamutdinov in the NHL lineup.