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Damir Sharipzyanov Placed On Unconditional Waivers

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Largely unnoticed earlier today was the placement of Damir Sharipzyanov on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a mutual contract termination. The 22-year old defenseman actually spent last season in the KHL on loan, but will now have his NHL rights relinquished by the Los Angeles Kings. Tomorrow after his contract is terminated he could technically sign with another NHL team, but it seems likely that he will return to the KHL.

Sharipzyanov, 22, signed an entry-level contract in 2015 after going undrafted for the second time and returned to the Owen Sound Attack for a final season and won a silver medal for Russia at the World Juniors. His point totals were solid if unspectacular, and he had the size to potentially find success at the professional level. After a season spent bouncing between the ECHL and AHL, he decided to go to the KHL where he would have a better opportunity. In this interview with Alessandro Seren Rosso for The Hockey Writers, Sharipzyanov did seem to indicate that he would want to come back to North America eventually.

I had a chance to get back home. To be loaned [to the KHL]. And then to get back to North America. I simply want to play. I didn’t have this option [in North America] at this moment. That’s why I and my agent decided to give the KHL a chance.

It seems unlikely that the Kings would give up his rights if he intended on playing in North America this season, meaning we’ll likely have to wait to see if there is a return down the road. If his first season in the KHL was any indication—where he recorded 16 points in 54 games while logging nearly 20 minutes a night—there could be plenty of teams after him in a few years.

Nail Yakupov Signs In KHL

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It’s finally happened, Nail Yakupov has gone back to Russia. After years of struggling to find his game in the NHL, bouncing around between a few cities and roles, the 2012 first-overall pick has signed a one-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL. We wrote about this option last summer before Yakupov signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Avalanche, a team that he played just 58 games for last season.

Yakupov, 24, broke onto the NHL scene with a splash, scoring 17 goals and 31 points in his rookie season—a year that was lockout shortened and only lasted 48 games. With that, it looked like the young Russian forward was on track for a tremendous career that would see him grow into a dominant offensive weapon. Unfortunately, that’s not at all what happened. Yakupov regressed heavily in his next season, and never topped the 17 goals he scored as a rookie. He left Edmonton after just four seasons, and couldn’t find a full-time role in St. Louis. Last year for Colorado he was a useful part-time player, but didn’t come anywhere close to living up to the hefty expectations that came with being the first-overall pick.

Armed with all the physical skills to make it in the NHL, something failed to clicked for Yakupov and his effort level waned at times. While he’s now headed back to Russia, by no means does this mean his career in North America is over. If he can find his game with SKA and round out his defensive capabilities, there’s no telling how quickly he could return to the NHL for another chance. The Avalanche gave up his rights by failing to extend a qualifying offer, meaning he could sign with any team next summer. Since he’s still relatively young, you can bet there will be someone who wants to take another chance on him down the road. For now, he’ll try to learn from some of the best in Russia like Pavel Datsyuk, Sergei Plotnikov and Nikita Gusev.

Yohann Auvitu Signs In The KHL

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Oilers unrestricted free agent defenseman Yohann Auvitu has signed a two-year contract with HK Sochi, the KHL team announced (link in Russian).  This was an expected outcome after he stated back in May that he was intending to leave the NHL but at that time hadn’t decided which international league he’d be going to.

The 28-year-old had a limited role with Edmonton last season.  He was a frequent healthy scratch and even saw a bit of action on the wing.  Overall, he played in 33 games with the Oilers, collecting three goals and six assists while averaging 13:33 of ice time per night.  He then suited up with France at the World Championships where he played in four games.

Auvitu’s time in North America has wound up being quite brief as he only made his way over in time for the 2016-17 season when he joined the Devils on an entry-level contract.  Considering the limited role he had over two seasons, this is likely the end of his time in the NHL.

David Desharnais, Others Sign In KHL

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Another center option is off the market, but David Desharnais isn’t going anywhere in the NHL. The diminutive center is headed overseas to join HC Lokomotiv in the KHL on a one-year contract. Iiro Pakarinen and Patrice Cormier have also signed one-year deals in the KHL, for Magnitogorsk and Barys Astana respectively. Victor Antipin, after trying one season with the Buffalo Sabres, is back with Magnitogorsk for three more seasons. Anton Slepyshev has also returned, signing a two-year contract with CSKA.

The KHL has become a landing spot for plenty of players unwilling to return to the minor leagues, but it’s kind of surprising that Desharnais decided so quickly to take his talents overseas. Scoring 28 points for the New York Rangers last season, he’s still only 31 and is a fine bottom-six center in the NHL. Perhaps he doesn’t want to play that type of role, as he’ll likely get much more ice time even powerplay experience in the KHL. Desharnais remember was once a 60-point player in the NHL, and put up some legendary seasons in the QMJHL as a junior player.  There is plenty of offensive talent in his game, something that was unlikely to show playing 12 minutes a night on the fourth line.

Antipin’s departure from Buffalo is a bit disappointing, given that he actually was fairly successful in his limited role there last season. Though he only played a little over 15 minutes a night in his 47 games, he looked like there could be a future for him in the NHL as a two-way defenseman. Instead, he’ll return to the KHL where he can continue to log big minutes for Magnitogorsk. There’s no guarantee that he doesn’t attempt to come back in three seasons, and since the Sabres didn’t extend him a qualifying offer he will be free to sign with whoever he wants.

Valeri Nichushkin Signs Two-Year Contract With Dallas Stars

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The wait is over for Dallas Stars fans, as Valeri Nichushkin is back in the NHL. The Russian forward has officially signed his two-year contract that carries a cap hit of $2.95MM. Nichushkin is returning after two years in the KHL, and will add another dimension to the Stars offensive group.

The 23-year-old and former 10th overall pick back in 2013 started out his NHL career well as he scored 14 goals and tallied 34 points in his rookie campaign immediately after being drafted. The 6-foot-4, 205 pound forward is referred to as a freight train, but a hip injury derailed his second year and he was never able to recover and saw his playing time decrease the year after that. The moment he hit restricted free agency, Nichushkin took his game back to the KHL, where he posted 11 goals and followed that up with a strong 16-goal performance this past year for CSKA Moscow, which was good enough for third on his team in goals scored.

Now back in the fold in Dallas, Nichushkin hopes he can continue along the career path that he started at. He will be given every opportunity to take a second or third-line spot on the wing this season with the Stars.

Free Agent Notes: Holden, Ellis, Namestnikov, Wilson

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The Vegas Golden Knights already surprised a few when they reached out and stole Paul Stastny away from Western Conference rival Winnipeg. However, the Golden Knights are apparently not done as The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reports that Vegas is the front-runner for unrestricted free agent defenseman Nick Holden.

Holden, who spent time with both the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins last season, would be a solid depth defenseman that could add to Vegas’ core. he averaged 19:00 ATOI between both clubs, but only posted four goals and 17 points on the year. However, the 31-year-old may be starting to show a decline in skills as he was a 34-point player in 2016-17 with the Rangers.

Incidentally, Holden is being pursued by two teams as the Boston Bruins are also vying for the blueliner’s services, according to Sportsnet’s Mark Spector. The Bruins, after all, gave up a third-round pick and low-end prospect Rob O’Gara at the deadline.

  • LeBrun also mentions that while Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis, who will be a unrestricted free agent in one year, can sign an extension as of today. However, the scribe writes that Nashville isn’t there yet. They intend to reignite talks with Ellis and his representatives within the next one to two weeks. Nashville wants to keep Ellis in the fold at all costs as the team has put major emphasis on having a dominant four defense. The team already has P.K. Subban ($9MM AAV) and Mattias Ekholm ($3.75MM AAV) locked up for four years, while Roman Josi ($4MM AAV) is signed for another two years.
  • The New York Rangers can breathe easier after the agent for restricted free agent Vladislav Namestnikov, Dan Milstein, refuted rumors that the forward was leaving for the KHL. Namestnikov, who was acquired from Tampa Bay at the trade deadline, but saw his playing time drop once he arrived in New York. After averaging 17:30 of ATOI as a Lightning, his playing time dropped to 15:43, along with his offensive production. After potting 20 goals with Tampa Bay, he managed just four points in 19 games with the Rangers. However, Milstein insists the rumors are not true and that Namestnikov believes playing in the NHL is a privilege and honor and an extension is in the works with the New York Rangers.
  • Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports the Buffalo Sabres are currently working on re-signing winger Scott Wilson. The 26-year-old was picked up in a December trade this last season from the Detroit Red Wings and played a regular role as a bottom-six forward. After not scoring a point in 17 games with Detroit, he tallied six goals and 14 points in 49 games in Buffalo.

Austin Czarnik, Daniel Carr Receiving Major Free Agency Interest

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Who is the biggest the free agent name on the market that you may have never heard of? That would be Boston Bruins forward Austin Czarnik. Czarnik, 25, signed with the Bruins as an undrafted free agent out of Miami University in 2015 and qualified for Group 6 unrestricted free agency after just three pro seasons. During that time, Czarnik skated in 59 NHL games and recorded 17 points. However, only ten of those games came in 2017-18, as Czarnik was pushed out of the Boston lineup by superior play from young players like Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, and Anders Bjork.

Czarnik spent almost the entire season in the AHL with the Providence Bruins, where his 69 points in 64 games was good enough for third in overall league scoring and second-best among all players with more than 45 games played. In both Boston and Providence, Czarnik has shown ability and versatility. He has elite puck possession skills, high-end skating and quickness, and strong offensive instincts, can play center or wing, plays a smart two-way game, and can contribute on the power play and penalty kill – at least that is what he has displayed in two full AHL seasons and a partial NHL season.

The Bruins obviously kept tabs on Czarnik and value his ability, but couldn’t find room for him on the roster down the stretch to get him over the requisite games to avoid Group 6 free agency. As such, Boston has the same chances as every other team at signing Czarnik and it’s shaping up to be quite a fight. The Providence Journal’s Mark Divver spoke with Czarnik’s agent, Brian Bartlett, who stated that there has been “overwhelming interest” in Czarnik so far and that he has heard from more than two-thirds of the league in regards to his client. Czarnik is largely unproven in the NHL and his smaller stature could be a concern, but his upside and potential to be an offensive asset in a bottom-six role has most teams vying for his consideration. The only real risk in pursuing Czarnik is if this turns into a bidding war, with the winner inking the young forward to an above-market contract for a player who has yet to prove he can produce at a high level in the NHL.

Bartlett has also been busy fielding calls on another unexpectedly popular client, Daniel Carr. The Montreal Canadiens forward was set to be a restricted free agent this summer, but was not made a qualifying offer today ahead of the deadline. As such, Carr is now an unrestricted free agent. According to TVA’s Renaud Lavoie, the Canadiens declined to make a qualifying offer to Carr after he first declined an initial offer worth $700K per year. Bartlett reportedly came armed to negotiations with an offer from the KHL worth far more than the Habs’ offer and they will look for a similar or superior deal in free agency. Lavoie says that Bartlett feels initial talks with other teams indicate that they will easily surpass the Canadiens’ last best offer on the open market.

Carr, like Czarnik, was an undrafted NCAA free agent out of Union College who has played a part-time role for Montreal over the past three seasons. Carr has posted 34 points in 94 games for the Canadiens while usually playing left wing in the bottom six. Carr also spent ample time watching the Habs play from the press box. However, he still managed to suit up for 20 games with the AHL’s Laval Rocket this season and contributed 19 points. Carr’s exposure has been limited, but the hard-working forward has done enough to impress scouts from the KHL and likely scouts from the NHL as well. He will remain an interesting name to watch this off-season.

2018 Draft Results By Team

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The 2018 NHL Entry Draft is now complete. Check out how each team did with accruing talent and filling needs with each of their selections this weekend:

Anaheim Ducks

1-23.  F Isac Lundestrom, Lulea (SHL)
2-54. F Benoit-Olivier Groulx, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
3-79. F Blake McLaughlin, Chicago Steel (USHL)
3-84. G Lukas Dostal, HC Kometa Brno (Czech Republic-Jr.)
4-116. F Jack Perbix, Elk River HS (USHS)
5-147. G Roman Durny, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
6-178. D Hunter Drew, Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)

Arizona Coyotes

1-5. F Barrett Hayton, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
2-55. D Kevin Bahl, Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
3-65. F Jan Jenik, HC Benatky nad Jizerou (Czech Republic-2)
3-73. D Ty Emberson, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
4-114. G Ivan Prosvetov, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
5-142. D Mitchell Callahan, Central Illinois Flying Aces (USHL)
5-145. D Dennis Busby, Flint Firebirds (OHL)
6-158. G David Tendeck, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
7-189. F Liam Kirk, Sheffield Steelers (England)

Boston Bruins

2-57. D Axel Andersson, Djurgardens IF (SuperElit)
3-77.  F Jakub Lauko, Pirati Chomutov (Czech Republic)
4-119. F Curtis Hall, Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
6-181.  D Dustyn McFaul, Pickering Panthers (OJHL)
7-212. F Pavel Shen, Mamonty Yugry (MHL)

Buffalo Sabres

1-1. D Rasmus Dahlin, Frolunda HC (SHL)
2-32. D Mattias Samuelsson, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
4-94. F Matej Pekar, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
4-117. D Linus Lindstrand Kronholm, Malmo Redhawks (SuperElit)
5-125. D Miska Kuukonen, Ilves (Jr.-Liiga)
7-187. D William Worge Kreu, Linkoping (SuperElit)

Calgary Flames

3-105. F Martin Pospisil, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
3-108. F Demetrios Koumontzis, Edina HS (USHS)
4-122. F Milos Roman, Vancouver Giants (WHL)
6-167. F Mathias Emilio Pettersen, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
7-198. F Dmitri Zavgorodny, Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

Carolina Hurricanes

1-2. F Andrei Svechnikov, Barrie Colts (OHL)
2-42. F Jack Drury, Waterloo Blackhawks (USHL)
4-96. F Luke Henman, Blainville-Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
4-104. F Lenni Killinen, Espoo Blues (Jr.-Liiga)
6-166. D Jesper Sellgren, MODO (Allsveskan)
7-197. G Jake Kucharski, Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

Chicago Blackhawks

1-8. D Adam Boqvist, Brynas IF Gavle (SHL)
1-27. D Nicolas Beaudin, Drummondville Voltigeurs (QMJHL)
3-69. F Jake Wise, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
3-74. F Niklas Nordgren, HIFK Helsinki (Jr.-Liiga)
4-120. F Philipp Kurashev, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
5-139. F Mikael Hakkarainen, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
6-162. G Alexis Gravel, Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
7-193. F Josiah Slavin, Lincoln Stars (USHL)

Colorado Avalanche

1-16. F Martin Kaut, Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Republic)
3-64. G Justus Annunen, Karpat (Jr.-Liiga)
3-78. F Sampo Ranta, Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
4-109. F Tyler Weiss, U.S. National Development Program (USHL)
5-140. F Brandon Saigeon, Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL)
5-146. D Danila Zhuravlyov, Irbis Kazan (MHL)
6-171. F Nikolai Kovalenko, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl (MHL)
7-202. G Shamil Shmakov, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)Read more

Nichushkin Reaches Two-Year Deal With Dallas Stars

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June 22: GM Jim Nill has confirmed that he will sign Nichushkin to a two-year deal on July 1st, and Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports that it will be worth around $2.95MM per season.

June 9: While the rumor of his return has been out there for a while, the Dallas Stars and Valeri Nichushkin have agreed to a new two-year contract, according to R-Sport, a Russian news outlet (translation required). The deal cannot become official until July 1 and there is no word on the specifics of the contract.

Nichushkin, the team’s 10th overall pick back in 2013, played three years in Dallas after he was drafted and put up a solid rookie season of 14 goals and 34 points. However, after suffering a hip injury in 2014-15 that cost him all but eight games that season, he had trouble returning to form and wasn’t happy with the lack of playing time the following year when he averaged just 13:56 of ATOI. He tallied just nine goals and 20 assists in 2015-16.

He returned to Russia as a restricted free agent to continue his development with CSKA Moscow, playing two years in the KHL. He tallied 27 goals and 24 assists in those two years, including a 16-goal season this past year. The winger was expected to play for Russia during the Olympics, but was one of five players banned by the IOC and was forced to watch the games instead. Nichushkin, whose contract with CSKA Moscow expired on April 30, had always intended to return to Dallas and continue his NHL career.

At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, the 23-year-old should be able to step right into Dallas’ lineup to add both scoring and physicality to the team and should give the Stars another talented young player to build around. He will be given every chance to claim a spot on the team’s second line in training camp. The Stars have finished sixth in the Central Division three of the last four years and have made the playoffs just once in that span.

Kristers Gudlevskis Signs In KHL

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The New York Islanders have several free agent goaltenders this summer, and now one of them has left the North American ranks completely. Kristers Gudlevskis has signed with Dinamo Riga of the KHL, returning to the organization he played for as a junior.

Gudlevskis, 25, was acquired by the Islanders from the Tampa Bay Lightning last summer but struggled for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL. The Latvian netminder recorded just an .897 save percentage and wasn’t given an opportunity in the NHL despite the struggles of the goaltenders there. Because of that lack of opportunity, both in New York and Tampa Bay, Gudlevskis qualified for Group VI unrestricted free agency this summer and could sign anywhere he chose.

The Islanders have the same problem with fellow minor league goaltender Christopher Gibson, who is a Group VI UFA himself. Jaroslav Halak is also set to hit the open market, leaving GM Lou Lamoriello an organizational void to fill. That might not be the worst problem to have though, as none of the Islanders goaltenders have been very good the last few years.

For Gudlevskis, it may not be the end of his North American career, but it certainly could be. With World Championship and Olympic experience under his belt, he should continue to be one of Latvia’s top options for international play and will try to prove his talent at the KHL level.

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