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.