Stanislav Galiev Signs In KHL
Stanislav Galiev became a Group VI unrestricted free agent this summer, and after struggling to find a role for the Washington Capitals has signed in the KHL. The forward has inked a two-year contract with Ak Bars. Galiev was clear in his exit meeting with the Hershey Bears of the AHL, saying that he was ready for “something different.”
That new opportunity will come back in his home country of Russia, a place he hasn’t played hockey for nearly a decade. Galiev first came over to North America in 2008 to play in the USHL, before winning a Memorial Cup with Gerard Gallant and the Saint John Sea Dogs. Drafted in the third round, Galiev has played just 26 NHL games so far but remains an excellent AHL scoring threat. His 40 points in 56 games last season for Hershey wasn’t enough to get him a look with the Capitals, likely leading to his departure.
Ak Bars went 38-18-4 last season, and should be successful again led by young center Vladimir Tkachyov. Galiev will give them another highly talented offensive player to try and boost their goal scoring, something that they lacked at times last year. He’ll be 27 when his contract expires, and could then consider a move back to the NHL should his game mature.
Garrett Mitchell Returns To Hershey Bears
One of the feel-good stories of the 2016-17 NHL season is making rounds once again. Garrett Mitchell, the captain of the AHL’s Hersey Bears, will return to the team in 2017-18. The team announced a new one-year deal with their locker room leader today.
Mitchell, 25, has been an alternate captain or captain for the Bears over the past four years and has been with the team for the past six, playing all but three of his 356 pro games with Hershey. One of those three outliers came in April, when the Washington Capitals rewarded Mitchell with his first career call-up and NHL game, much to the excitement of his teammates in Hersey.
A 2009 sixth-round pick, Mitchell has only produced modest offense in the AHL, but has been invaluable to the team for his leadership and responsible play. The Capitals, in appreciation of his role in helping to develop and protect their other AHL prospects, gave Mitchell, an impending free agent, the thrill of what was likely his first and only NHL experience. His new contract keeps him in Hersey, but as a minor league contract he is no longer property of the Capitals. Mitchell will continue to be the captain of the Bears and will help to make up for some the offense lost due to the departures of Paul Carey and Stanislav Galiev, so even though his NHL aspirations may be over, Mitchell will continue to be a well-regarded player and teammate and a fan favorite in Hershey.
Stanislav Galiev Ready For “Something Different” Next Season
The writing has been on the wall all season for Stanislav Galiev, who couldn’t make the Washington Capitals out of training camp once again and was expected to be moved at the trade deadline. Today in his exit interview, Galiev told Kyle Mace of Chocolate Hockey—a website dedicated to the Hershey Bears—that he will be trying “something different” next year. Because of the combination of being at least 25, with three professional seasons but less than 80 NHL games, Galiev is a Group VI free agent this summer and able to sign with anyone in the league.
Galiev was a third-round pick of the Capitals in 2010, and progressed nicely during the next season before a wrist injury in NHL training camp robbed him of most of his age-19 season. He did end up dominating in the QMJHL playoffs after returning, leading the Saint John Sea Dogs to a Memorial Cup in 2012, but spent much of the next season in the ECHL. He’s since worked his way to the cusp of an NHL role, but has seen the press box and trainer’s table more times than the ice over the past few seasons. In 56 AHL games this year, he scored 40 points and showed that he still has offensive ability but it will have to be explored somewhere else.
The 25-year old has been in North America for nearly a decade, but there is always the chance that he could return to Russia and play in the KHL. That said, the Russian teams won’t be without competition around the league with teams hoping they can find a diamond in a player that once looked like a promising scoring winger. He has the skill to compete at whatever level he wants, but there does seem to be a lack of consistent effort at times.