Several NHL stars leave the league and join the KHL in surprising move

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Joshua Deeds
August 2, 2024 (8:31 PM)

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The CSKA Moscow hockey club of the KHL is cleaning up as Head Coach Sergei Federov is bringing many former Russian hockey players home.

There were several former NHL players abandoning ship as they swooped up and signed New York Islanders forward Ruslan Ishkakhov, Flames Defenseman Nikita Ohkhotyuk, and many more.

Ishkakhov's 5'8" frame limited his opportunities in the NHL, playing only one game in the NHL, scoring a point. Ohkhotyuk would however see 67 games played split between the New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, and Calgary Flames. His career point total: 12 points(3 G, 9 A) and he was a 2nd-round pick of the New Jersey Devils in 2019.

CSKA loading up: #Isles RFA Ruslan Iskhakov and #Flames RFA Nikita Okhotyuk on 2-year KHL deals

Three-year deals for #SJSharks RFA Egor Afanasyev, UFAs Dmitri Samorukov (PIT) and Ivan Prosvetov (COL)

CSKA would also sign former Predators prospect Egor Afanasyev, shortly after he was traded to the San Jose Sharks this summer. Did he ever plan on playing Sharks? The 23 year old would only see 19 NHL games, and the 45th overall pick in 2019 only scored one goal in his NHL career.

While Dmitri Samorukov, a former Oilers 3rd round pick spent only 3 games in the NHL and would sign with CSKA Moscow after an unsuccessful run in North America.

Denis Gurianov, an NHL regular also jumped ship to the KHL in favor of CSKA Moscow as well.

Following them back to Russia is former Leafs and Sharks forward Alexander Barabonov, who had just 13 points( 4 G, 9 A) in 46 games last season. A huge regression from his 47 point season a year prior.

He had requested a trade, and the team would trade Tomas Hertl to the Vegas Golden Knights instead. Barabonov played only 206 games in the NHL tallying 107 points, a respectable number for an undrafted player.

After 4 seasons in the NHL (107 PTS in 206 GP), 30-year-old forward Alexander Barabanov returns home.

With the influx of talent acquired by CSKA, they're Gagarin Cup hopefuls once again.

Source: Marker Zone
Several Russian NHL players abandon the NHL to join CSKA Moscow of KHL