The Vegas Golden Knights are going to have to wait a little longer to get a look at Ivan Morozov, as the young forward has signed a two-year extension in the KHL. Morozov is now under contract through the 2021-22 season, meaning he won’t be coming over to North America anytime soon.
Selected 61st overall by the Golden Knights in 2018, Morozov has broken through recently into the KHL, scoring six points in his last three games. Those were his first points at the highest level in Russia, after playing sparingly over the last two seasons. A veteran for his country at international tournaments, Morozov was part of the bronze medal-winning World Junior squad in 2019, and the silver medal-winning group just a few weeks ago. He has also been a dynamic scoring threat in the lower Russian leagues, leading to high expectations in North America.
Because the NHL and KHL do not have a formal transfer agreement, the Golden Knights will retain Morozov’s draft rights indefinitely. That means they can try again down the road to bring him into their organization, though nothing guarantees he’ll ever want to come over. For now, the 19-year old will continue his development with one of the most successful organizations in the KHL, SKA St. Petersburg.