According to a report out of Russia from Vadim Kuznetsov, the St. Louis Blues have offered a contract to suspended KHL forward Danis Zaripov. The story quotes the 36-year old himself, who explains that nothing is imminent. Zaripov received a two-year suspension from the IIHF for doping, but was cleared to seek a contract in the NHL due to the fact that the substance is not prohibited in the league’s own doping policy. Zaripov had been tenuously linked to the Lightning and Penguins previously, and also apparently had two offers in hand at the beginning of September. It’s unclear if this mention of St. Louis means a new contract offer, or one that had previously been submitted.
Zaripov is a legendary KHL player, known as one of the best “clutch” performers the league has ever known. He’s taken home the Gagarin Cup as league champion four times, and has scored an incredible 114 points in 127 playoff contests. He’s also been part of five medal-winning World Championship teams, including taking home the Gold three times. In that tournament, he’s registered 49 points in 45 games.
Nearly 20 years ago, Zaripov also had a short stint in North American hockey. In 1998-99, a teenaged sniper came over to the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL and put up 23 goals in 62 games. He returned to Russia the next season, and has stayed there ever since.
There is quite a bit of risk in signing Zaripov, especially in light of what has happened with Vadim Shipachyov. Because Zaripov is over 35, if something didn’t work out and he was forced to “retire” in the same fashion, his cap hit would remain. For many teams taking that chance poses too much risk, even for a player who has been about as consistent as you find in the KHL. Zaripov is third all-time in KHL scoring, only behind Alexander Radulov and Sergei Mozyakin.