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KHL Becoming Safe Haven For NHL Expatriates |
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There have been scattered reports this weekend that Tony Deangelo may be headed to SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. The 28-year-old’s offensive talent has been outweighed by defensive issues and a general lack of discipline, which is why the former Tampa first-rounder has been with four teams (Arizona, New York, Carolina, and Philadelphia) and has been bought out twice.
The KHL in the last few weeks has been the destination for players who have encountered trouble off the ice in North America. Carolina terminated the last year of Evgeni Kuznetsov’s contract, so he could sign a four-year deal with SKA, while two of the 2018 Hockey Canada suspended players (Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod) have signed with other KHL clubs.
One who has yet to find a landing spot is former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart, who along with Dube, Cal Foote, and McLeod did not receive qualifying offers from their NHL clubs on July 1 and are free agents.
With the trial date for the Hockey Canada players up in the air, Hart could be looking for a Russian landing spot, but with the KHL season starting in early September, the chances are slim.