Even while the Colorado Avalanche scratch and claw for their playoff lives, one of their young players has decided to leave the organization. Adrian Dater of Colorado Hockey Now reports that Vladislav Kamenev has signed a two-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL.
Kamenev is not currently in the bubble with the Avalanche after failing to be placed on the expanded roster. Dater reports that a positive COVID-19 test was partly responsible for that decision.
Part of the huge Matt Duchene trade in 2017 that also brought Samuel Girard and Shane Bowers to Colorado, Kamenev has been cursed ever since arriving. He broke his wrist after just eight shifts in his first game as an Avalanche and has dealt with other injuries in the years since. Overall, the 24-year old has played just 66 games in the NHL, recording 13 points.
Selected 42nd overall by the Nashville Predators in 2014, Kamenev has shown an ability to be a two-way force down the middle at the minor league level. Now a pending restricted free agent, he’ll take his talents back to Russia to try and get his career back on track. The Avalanche will be able to retain his rights with a qualifying offer.