A new goalie for CSKA, a replacement for Boucher in Avangard, Ak Bars` new legionnaires, Svechnikov`s return to the Far East, and a `Chinese` player for Zhamnov. Here are the most notable transfers from the past week.
Dmitry Rashevsky: From Dynamo Moscow to Avangard
Dmitry Rashevsky became one of only two players this offseason to be subject to an offer sheet. While Jeremy Roy moved from Vityaz to CSKA as a restricted free agent, Dynamo matched Avangard`s offer for Rashevsky. However, after taking a pause, they ultimately traded him to Avangard for monetary compensation. Six months prior, the Siberian club had attempted to acquire Dmitry, but then-general manager Alexei Sopin refused. Now, with Sopin in the GM role at Avangard, the deal was completed. Rashevsky is expected to replace Reid Boucher, Avangard`s all-time leading goal scorer. The only concern with this transfer might be Rashevsky`s underwhelming performance in the 2025 playoffs, where he was even a healthy scratch at one point.
Spencer Martin: From Chicago (AHL) to CSKA
Around the same time that Ak Bars goaltender Amir Miftakhov signed a contract with Carolina, Martin moved from the Carolina system to CSKA. Over the last season and a half, he played 15 games for the main club. He also played for Vancouver in the NHL, was an AHL All-Star, and won gold at a junior championship alongside Connor McDavid. At CSKA, Spencer will replace Ivan Prosvetov and become a veteran mentor for Dmitry Gazmin and Petr Andreyanov. The goaltending brigade will be coached by four-time Gagarin Cup winner Rashit Davydov.
Denis Zernov: From Metallurg to CSKA
The Army team continues to build a potential championship contender. First, they brought in a new head coach and assistants, then began laying the foundation with an experienced goaltender, and now they are forming their center line. Zernov possesses high speed and commendable work ethic, along with significant experience, having been coached by Bob Hartley and won the Gagarin Cup twice. Notably, in both final appearances, he played against teams led by Igor Nikitin.
Ruslan Iskhakov: From CSKA to Metallurg
Iskhakov is younger and more technical than Zernov, for whom he was traded. He can be confidently called a hockey magician, particularly excelling at spectacular shootouts. It`s no surprise he attended the 2025 All-Star Game and participated in the skills competition. However, Iskhakov lacks Zernov`s playoff experience by a large margin. His position on the ice is also somewhat fluid. Ilya Vorobyov tried Ruslan at center, but he was more effective on the wing. Nikolai Goldobin, after returning from North America, didn`t settle in at CSKA but fully blossomed at Metallurg. Perhaps Iskhakov, who had a challenging first year after coming from the AHL, is on a similar career path? Especially considering that Andrey Razin wanted him earlier at Severstal and generally knows how to work with smaller, skilled players.
Egor Sokolov: From CSKA to Torpedo
Sokolov was a CSKA player for only a couple of days. As a child, he played in Traktor`s school, then spent a long time in North America (and won silver at the World Junior Championship). However, his 13 NHL games were overshadowed by three hundred games in the AHL. In the KHL, Sokolov`s rights belonged to Avtomobilist for a long time, then were traded to CSKA for the rights to Daniil Gushchin. Upon signing a contract, CSKA almost immediately traded Egor to Torpedo. The Nizhny Novgorod team acquired another large player, parting with the rights to Nikolai Kovalenko, who is still exploring options overseas.
Evgeny Svechnikov: From Torpedo to Amur
Following changes in leadership, head coach, and general manager, Amur announced a focus on local players. In Evgeny Svechnikov, the Khabarovsk team has acquired a native of the Far East. After many years in North America, Evgeny returned to his almost-home club, Ak Bars, then had a mixed season with Torpedo. In his new team, he could become an ideal partner for Alexander Galchenyuk and reboot his career, similar to Egor Korshkov`s path.
Lucas Lockhart: From Kunlun to Spartak
Many North American players in Russian teams got their first KHL experience with Kunlun, but it is very rare to find players from the Chinese national team among them. Lockhart spent eight long years at Kunlun, even playing for their VHL farm team, and represented the Chinese national team at the Olympics and two World Championships. Last season, he was Kunlun`s third-leading scorer.
Brandon Biro: From Coachella Valley (AHL) to Ak Bars
It`s no secret that Biro was initially expected to sign a contract with Vityaz. After adjusting his route from Podmoskovye to Tatarstan, he signed a one-year contract with Ak Bars. Biro was successful at the collegiate level, winning many things in the NCAA, but he was not drafted. This did not prevent him from playing several games for Buffalo. A year ago, Brandon changed teams, but he never played for Seattle. However, in the farm team, he showed himself to be a smart playmaker.
Wyatt Kalynuk: From Pelicans (Finland) to Ak Bars
In addition to Biro, Ak Bars` roster was reinforced by another Canadian legionnaire. Kalynuk also has European experience. After two seasons playing exclusively in the AHL, he played in Finland, where, with 33 points, he was Pelicans` most productive defenseman. Earlier, Kalynuk played for the Canadian national team at the Spengler Cup and has 26 NHL games under his belt. At Ak Bars, he will compete with Mitch Miller and likely fill in for him on the blue line during power plays.
Gareth Tenby