West Notes: Lindstein, Podkolzin, Chmelevski
When the Blues signed prospect Theo Lindstein back in March, they gained assignment rights on him as a first-round pick, meaning they could have assigned him to their AHL affiliate. However, the blueliner confirmed to Gefle Dagblad’s Daniel Sandstrom that he will remain with SHL Brynas for the 2024-25 season and will not attend training camp with St. Louis next month. Lindstein was the 29th overall pick in 2023 after playing a regular role for them in the SHL. Brynas was relegated to the second-tier Allsvenskan last season where he had 15 points in 49 games plus four more in 13 qualification games to get them back up to the top level. Because Lindstein clearly won’t play in ten or more NHL games this coming season, his contract will slide and still have three years remaining on it heading into 2025-26.
Elsewhere out West:
- In an interview with Cherkas Atlant (video link), Canucks winger Vasily Podkolzin admitted that he was surprised to receive his two-year, $2MM contract extension in mid-April. The 23-year-old spent the bulk of last season in the minors with AHL Abbotsford and wasn’t overly productive when in Vancouver, collecting just two assists in 19 games. That had the 2019 first-round pick expecting to be traded at some point but instead, he’ll get a chance to lock down a full-time roster spot in the fall. Notably, Podkolzin is now waiver-eligible so it seems likely he’ll at least stick at the back of their roster after training camp.
- Speaking with Sport-Express’ Ivan Bohun, Sharks RFA forward Sasha Chmelevski indicated that he still intends to return to the NHL despite signing a three-year extension with Salavat Yulaev in late April. The 25-year-old has 24 career NHL appearances under his belt where he has 10 assists but he elected to return home where he has been quite productive. Last season, Chmelevski picked up 27 goals and 29 assists in 67 games, leading to some speculation that San Jose might be able to trade his rights. Chmelevski thinks a trade could have been an option but clearly, one never materialized. Once this contract ends in 2027, Chmelevski will be 28 and an unrestricted free agent and it appears that will be when he attempts to return to North America.
Multiple Teams Showing Interest In Acquiring Rights To Sasha Chmelevski
Sasha Chmelevski’s first attempt at playing pro hockey in North America didn’t go particularly well and when his contract with the Sharks expired in 2022, he opted to head back home to play in the KHL; San Jose tendered a qualifying offer to retain his rights at that time. However, after a strong couple of seasons there, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports (Twitter link) that teams are showing interest in acquiring his rights and that Chmelevski’s agent has been granted permission to try to facilitate a swap. Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK and The Athletic notes (Twitter link) that the Canucks are among the teams showing interest.
The 24-year-old center was a sixth-round pick by San Jose back in 2017 (185th overall) out of OHL Ottawa. Chmelevski was a productive player in his final two years with the 67’s, collecting 151 points in 124 games over that stretch.
Chmelevski spent the majority of his entry-level deal with San Jose at the AHL level where he posted respectable numbers, collecting 35 goals and 53 assists in 122 games with the Barracuda. Meanwhile, while he didn’t score at the NHL level in 24 games with the Sharks, he did post ten assists despite spending a lot of time in the bottom six.
But Chmelevski’s decision to return to the KHL with a shot at more guaranteed money and a big role has paid off. He’s in his second season with Salavat Yulaev and currently sits tenth in league scoring with 21 goals and 22 assists in 49 games. Based on the trade interest, it appears there are at least some teams that are open to giving him an NHL look next season.
With San Jose in the midst of a rebuild, it’s a bit surprising that they don’t seem to be one of those teams. Otherwise, they’d be trying to work out an agreement with Chmelevski themselves. But with multiple teams showing interest, they might be able to pick up a decent draft pick or prospect for his rights which is still not a bad outcome for a player who opted to go overseas two seasons ago.