Several Russian NHL players abandon the NHL to join CSKA Moscow of KHL
CSKA Moscow of the KHL is cleaning up this summer as they signed five former NHL players, who have all agreed to end their NHL careers to go back to Russia.
Among the players they signed are New York Islanders forward Ruslan Iskhakov and Flames defenseman Nikita Okhotyuk. Iskhakov got into just one NHL game with the Islanders and he did record an assist in that contest. Unfortunately for him though, he is only 5'8" which limited his opportunities in North America. Okhotyuk on the other hand, got into 67 career NHL games split between the New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, and Calgary Flames. He had three career goals and 12 points. He was a former 2nd round draft pick of the Devils, having been selected 61st overall in the 2019 draft.
Three-year deals for #SJSharks RFA Egor Afanasyev, UFAs Dmitri Samorukov (PIT) and Ivan Prosvetov (COL)
Those two were not the only players to sign with CSKA Moscow this summer though. Former Predators prospect Egor Afanasyev signed with the team after he was traded to the San Jose Sharks this summer. It appears as though he never intended to play for San Jose. The 23-year-old forward got into just 19 career NHL games with the Predators after they drafted him 45th overall in the 2019 draft and he recorded a single goal. Former Oilers 3rd round pick Dmitri Samorukov also signed with the team after just three career NHL games despite spending many years in North America. NHL regular Denis Gurianov also called it quits in the NHL to sign with the Russian powerhouse.
#LetsGoPens, 2-year deal with Denis Gurianov from the @NHLFlyers
#LetsGoFlyers, 2-year deal with Ruslan Iskhakov from the @NYIslanders
#Isles, 2-year deal with Nikita Okhotyuk from the @NHLFlames #Flames
Additionally, former Sharks and Leafs forward Alexander Barabanov has also left the league, likely for good. He had just 4 goals and 13 points in 46 games for San Jose last season, a huge down turn from his 47-point performance the year prior. He had reportedly requested a trade from the Sharks at the deadline, but that deal was squashed when the Vegas Golden Knights acquired Tomas Hertl instead. Barabanov played in 206 career NHL games and put up 107 points, both very respectable totals for an undrafted player.
It has certainly been a busy offseason for CSKA Moscow. Perhaps this influx of NHL talent will help the team win another Gargarin cup.
Source: HabsFanatics
Six players decide to leave the NHL, including two familiar names
Source: HockeyReference
Alexander Barabanov NHL statistics
Source: HockeyReference
Nikita Okhotyuk NHL statistics
Source: HockeyReference
Egor Afanasyev NHL statistics
| POLL | ||
AOÛT 2 | 123 ANSWERS Several Russian NHL players abandon the NHL to join CSKA Moscow of KHL Do you think any of these players will ever return to play in the NHL again? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 19.5 % |
| No | 99 | 80.5 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Kyle Connor | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Alex Tuch | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Owen Power | - | 2 | 2 | |
| Michael Bunting | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Drew Helleson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jirí Kulich | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Isac Lundestrom | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Vladislav Namestnikov | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Nino Niederreiter | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Gabriel Vilardi | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Jason Zucker | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Leo Carlsson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Ross Johnston | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Evgeni Malkin | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Josh Morrissey | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Cole Perfetti | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Bryan Rust | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Mark Scheifele | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Trevor Zegras | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 20 | 17 | 3 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||