The NHL free agent market opened on July 1. On the first day, teams made several interesting deals, some of which involved Russian hockey players.
The first high-profile deal with a Russian took place even before the window opened:
“I woke up and said, ‘Let’s shock the world.’” US stunned by Sergachev’s sensational exchange
Which Russians changed their club registration? Who renewed their contract? We have collected seven transactions involving Russian hockey players.
Dmitry Kulikov renewed his contract with Florida
Dmitry Kulikov
Photo: Rhona Wise/AP Photo/TASS
The Russian defenseman, who was recently named the Stanley Cup winner, remains with the Panthers. Kulikov signed a new four-year contract with Florida. The 33-year-old defenseman will receive $1.15 million per season. The total amount of the deal will be $4.6 million.
Most likely, this contract will be the last in Kulikov’s career. In general, Dmitry could have counted on a more lucrative deal at another club, but he decided to stay where he apparently felt more than comfortable.
In the 2023/2024 NHL regular season, the defender played 76 games, scoring 20 (1+19) points. In the playoffs, Kulikov played another 24 games, in which he provided two assists, with a utility indicator of “-1”. It was Dmitry who made the key save in the seventh game of the final, after which Florida scored the winning goal.
Related materials
Video
The Russian created the key salvation of the NHL season. The Florida championship began with Kulikov.
Yakov Trenin moved to Minnesota
Yakov Trenin
Photo: David Zalubowski/AP Photo/TASS
There is one less Russian in Colorado. Trenin spent only three months with the Avalanches. And now he has become a “savage”. The forward signed a four-year contract with Minnesota. The cap hit will be $3.5 million and the total amount of the transaction will be $14 million.
There is a feeling that the 26-year-old striker will surely get plenty of opportunities. The Wild need good strikers in the lower lines, so Yakov can finally find a club for himself. And Kirill Kaprizov will surely help his compatriot adapt.
In the last regular season of the NHL, Trenin played 76 games and scored 17 (12+5) points. In the playoffs, the forward played 10 more games and scored one goal.
Nikita Zadorov became a Boston player
Nikita Zadorov
Photo: ETHAN CAIRNS/AP Photo/TASS
Ironically, Zadorov has become a “bear.” The Russian defender signed a long-term contract with Boston for six years with a salary cap of $5 million. In total, Zadorov will earn $30 million.
Nikita has moved from one major club to another. It is clear that he is committed to winning a Stanley Cup in the coming years. Boston has been loving Russian defensemen lately, so there is no doubt that Zadorov will become the main player on defense.
In the regular season that ended, Nikita, playing for Calgary and Vancouver, played 75 games, scored six goals and gave 14 assists. In the playoffs, the 29-year-old hockey player unexpectedly opened up and dragged the Canucks with him. Zadorov played 13 games, scoring 8 (4+4) points with a utility indicator of “+3”.
Related materials
Zadorov is hated in his homeland. But right now he is the best Russian defender in the world.
Ilya Lyubushkin moved to Dallas
Ilya Lyubushkin
Photo: Frank Gunn/AP Photo/TASS
The Russian defender received a significant contract from the “Stars”. Lyubushkin decided to leave Toronto and accepted the offer from the “Stars”. Ilya will spend the next three years in Dallas. The defender will earn $3.25 million per season for a total contract worth $9.75 million.
Lyubushkin performed well in Toronto. Perhaps even better than many expected. However, this was not enough to help the Maple Leafs overcome the first round barrier. In Dallas, the 30-year-old defenseman will surely have enough time, especially considering the partial restructuring of the team.
In the last regular season, Lyubushkin, transferred from Anaheim during the season, played 19 games with Toronto and gave four assists. In seven playoff games, Ilya scored three assists.
Ilya Samsonov signed a contract with Las Vegas
Ilya Samsonov
Photo: Frank Gunn/AP Photo/TASS
Toronto suddenly lost two Russian hockey players at once. Following Lyubushkin, Ilya Samsonov left the Maple Leafs camp. The 27-year-old goalkeeper signed a contract with the 2023 NHL champion Las Vegas.
The Golden Knights offered the goalie a one-year bridge contract. The amount of the deal will be $1.8 million. Perhaps Vegas does not really believe in Samsonov, which is not surprising after Ilya’s failures and unstable play during the last season, but after the trade of Logan Thompson to Washington, it was necessary to close the position. In general, the “knights” do not risk anything particularly. And for Samsonov this is an excellent opportunity to finally prove his worth. Undoubtedly, the club will be one of the contenders for the Stanley Cup next season.
In the last regular season of the NHL, Ilya played in 40 games, scored 23 victories and recorded three shutouts with a reliability coefficient of 3.13 and 89% of blocked shots. In the playoffs, the goaltender played five games, recording only one victory, with a reliability coefficient of 3.01 and 89.6% of blocked shots.
Related materials
Has the losing Canadian NHL club given up on the Russian goalie? Samsonov will only win
Pavel Dorofeev will continue his career in Las Vegas
Vegas continues to strengthen its ranks with Russian hockey players. The Knights retained Pavel Dorofeev. The 23-year-old forward signed a two-year contract with a salary cap of $1.835 million. The total amount of the deal will be $3.67 million.
Dorofeev is performing well in the NHL. At the end of the season, the forward finally found his way into the lineup and began to play an important role for Las Vegas. Of course, the leadership positions are still far away, but the Golden Knights believe in Pavel, and Pavel repays their trust with his quality development. So, perhaps, a new contract, which is no longer a bridge contract, will help Dorofeev continue his progressive development and grow into the leader of the club.
In the 2023/2024 season, the forward played 47 games for Las Vegas in the NHL regular season, scoring 13 goals and providing 11 assists with a +8 rating. In the playoffs, Pavel played one game without scoring a point.
Related materials
Exclusive
“I couldn’t tell the difference between Russia and the United States.” Interview with the NHL’s most unusual Russian
Matvey Michkov officially signed a contract with Philadelphia
Matvey Michkov
Photo: Ilya Smirnov, foto.khl.ru
Now we can finally talk about the end of a long saga. Michkov has reached an agreement with the “Pilots”, so we will definitely see him in the NHL next season.
The Russian forward signed a three-year rookie contract. The cap will be $950,000, although taking into account bonuses, this amount can increase to $4.45 million a year. Thus, Michkov will earn a total of $2.85 million. If all conditions regarding bonuses are met, Matvey will receive $13.35 million.
It is clear that the 19-year-old forward will be a vital part of the rebuilding Philadelphia team. Michkov will be given plenty of time and opportunities to make mistakes and grow. Thus, he will have every chance to become the leader of the “pilots” in the new season.
The Russian made it to the final of the Kontinental Hockey League championship, playing on loan at Sochi. Michkov played 47 regular season games, scoring 19 goals and providing 22 assists.
Related materials
“Rotenberg has personal issues with him.” Moving to the NHL is the only option for Michkov
