For the KHL, May 1st is the equivalent of our free agent frenzy on July 1st, as many contracts expire and player movement is at its highest. We already learned about the moves that swapped the rights of some big name NHLers, but the league has broken down some of the other moves that occurred. CSKA Moscow seem like the big winners, after mining the less successful teams for talent.
Kirill Kaprizov is perhaps the biggest name, coming over to CSKA after a huge season for Ufa. The 20-year old Minnesota Wild draft pick scored 42 points in 49 games and starred at the World Juniors, captaining Russia to a bronze with 12 points in 7 games. It may be harder now for the Wild to convince him to come over to the NHL, as he’s under the umbrella of one of the most successful teams in the entire KHL.
- Maxim Shalunov, a Chicago Blackhawks draft pick also joined CSKA after last month ending negotiations with the NHL club. Citing the league’s decision not to participate in the Olympics, Shalunov will now try to prove that he belongs at that tournament. In 49 games last season Shalunov scored 37 points, and could form one of the more dynamic young duos should he be placed with Kaprizov.
- Max Friberg has signed a three-year deal with Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League, heading home after several years bouncing between the AHL and NHL. Friberg was selected in the fifth-round by the Anaheim Ducks and spent the latest season captaining the St. John’s IceCaps.
- Jason Zucker underwent the surgery reported on yesterday, and all things point to a full recovery by the time training camp opens in September. The Minnesota Wild forward had the successful surgery in Philadelphia, and will now begin his rehab to get back on the ice for the team next season. Zucker was a standout this year and will be needed by the Wild to return to the playoffs once again in 2018.
- The St. Louis Blues have pulled the yo-yo string once again on Jordan Schmaltz, bringing him back up after the Chicago Wolves lost game 1 of their second round series last night. Schmaltz is both the insurance defenseman for the Blues and a top player for the Wolves right now, bouncing up and down between games.