Pending KHL free agent Maxim Shabanov has made the headlines. The Russian forward is a slick skater with silky hands who can make highlight-reel plays. His qualities have drawn the attention of many NHL clubs looking to add scoring depth.
Shabanov would be an instant improvement to whatever team he may join and, at 24, he could be a long-term solution for rebuilding clubs. It has been stated that he could be a fit with the Philadelphia Flyers and may have interest in joining the organization.
Only one team will win the Shabanov sweepstakes. Others will have to look elsewhere for a solution. It would be worth a look to see what other KHL free agents can be convinced to make the jump. Given the current state of the Flyers, it is hard to find an area that would not benefit from an infusion of talent. There are some good options in Russia worth a look, even if they are a step down from Shabanov.
Artyom Galimov
Galimov, a center who also plays the left wing, was selected 129th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2020. Although it seemed like the 25-year-old might sign a deal with the Ducks this year, nothing has happened yet.
The skilled Russian forward made a huge leap in his game to the next level in the 2024-25 season, finishing the KHL regular season with 59 points in 68 games and seven points in 13 playoff games for Ak Bars Kazan. In 2019-20, he won the KHL’s Alexsei Cherepanov Award for best rookie, among other awards. This season, he also won a few awards, including Forward of the Month in February, and Most Game-Winning Goals (9).
Galimov is an agile player with strong puck handling abilities, a good shot, and a knack for scoring. He has some speed and skates well. His breakout year may put him on the radar. He could use a little more work on his defensive play but, in the interim, he could have some sheltered minutes on the power play.
If Galimov does not sign with the Ducks, he would be a good addition to the Flyers, who desperately need scoring help.
Adam Ruzicka
At 6’4” and 229 pounds, Ruzicka has the body and the skills to be a power forward in the NHL. The center was a former fourth-round draft pick of the Calgary Flames in 2017. In the 2022-23 season, he put up 20 points in 44 games for the club.
In his draft year, he was ranked as a second-round player by scouts. In addition to his size and strength, he can control the puck. This past season, he put up 45 points in 65 KHL games with Spartak Moskva.
However, the wheels fell off in the 2023-24 season. After nine points in 39 games for the Flames, he was waived by the team. The Arizona Coyotes claimed him, but after three games, he was put on unconditional waivers for the purpose of buying him out. A controversial video surfaced on Instagram of him with a white powder that resembled cocaine.
An NHL team would need to put this incident in the rearview mirror and present him as reformed.
Amir Miftakhov
After the poor performances of Ivan Fedotov, the sound of a Russian goalie might trigger flashbacks for Flyers fans. Miftakhov might help alleviate that pain.
The 25-year-old net minder posted big numbers for Ak Bars Kazan this past season. In 30 games, he posted 2.18 goals against average and a .927 save percentage. Those numbers were in the realm of his previous performance through the prior few years.
The EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide says he is a smart goalie who uses his size, speed, and intelligence to his advantage. Miftakhov was drafted 186th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020. Two years later, he played 22 games for the Bolt’s AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. In 22 games, he had a 3.03 GAA and .891 SV%, but that is too small a sample size, especially for a goalie who was adapting to North American rinks. The loss of a goaltending prospect was softened as Andrei Vasilevskiy is their franchise backstop.
Denis Kostin
At 29, Kostin is the oldest player on this list but, as a goalie, he has a few extra years in the tank. In 47 games for Sibir Novosibirsk, he had a 2.28 GAA and a gaudy .930 SV% in 47 games this past season. He has a balanced skill set with no standout flaws. His temperament is also well. He does not get rattled easily and can be a stabilizing force. In recent years, he has proven himself to be a very good starter.
While he is quickly approaching 30, a veteran backstop might be just what the Flyers need as a stopgap solution.
Brady Lyle
Lyle is strong defender with a big frame (6’3”, 216 pounds). He had a good season for the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk and is the only North American player on the list.
Lyle is an AHL veteran who was not projected to be a superstar, and he has lived up to that expectation. However, he has the distinct advantage of being a big, right-handed defender. This coveted type of player could be a serviceable replacement for Rasmus Ristolainen, should he be traded. Best case scenario, he is a third-pairing defender. Worst case scenario, he ends up on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he could log more minutes.
As an Ontario native, he also might be the easiest player to pry out of the KHL.
Honorable Mention: Jeremy Roy
Roy was drafted with the 31st pick of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. The 6’0” Canadian defender was projected to go late in the first round of his draft year. He is a two-way defender and former top prospect who had been compared to Duncan Keith.
He spent parts of four seasons in the AHL but never made it to the big league. So, he decided to head to Europe where he had a solid rookie season HKM Zvolen of the Slovak Extraliga. From there, he made the jump to the KHL and has had three consecutive good seasons for HC Vityaz.
Roy might relish a chance to make it to the NHL. Like Lyle, it might not take much convincing to bring him home.
Now, whether any of these players want to come to the NHL is anyone’s guess. Even Shabanov is not a lock to make it stateside. While the rest of the league focuses on marquee names like Mitch Marner, it would behoove the Flyers to look abroad. KHL free agent could give Philadelphia the inside track on players interested in making the jump to the NHL.
