To give themselves the best chance of landing KHL star Maxim Shabanov, it looks like the Philadelphia Flyers are going to have to guarantee a regular NHL role for the forward right away.
Shabanov, 24, scored 23 goals, 44 assists, and 67 points for Traktor Chelyabinsk this season, finishing third in the KHL in scoring behind former NHLers Nikita Gusev (69) and Josh Leivo (80).
The undrafted forward prospect was a finalist for the KHL Golden Stick (MVP), which was ultimately awarded to Leivo.
Shabanov has been heavily connected to the Flyers since as far back as January, and despite some recent reports jumping the gun and indicating otherwise, the silky 5-foot-8 forward won’t choose his next NHL team until after the 2025 NHL Draft and free agency.
From there, according to agent Alex Chernykh in an exclusive interview with Championat, he, Shabanov, and the rest of the camp will evaluate inquiring NHL teams’ situations and choose the best one that will also allow Shabanov to play.
“We communicate with clubs, listen to their proposals, analyze,” Chernykh said. “Utah, Vegas. Boston is interested, the Islanders are also interested.
“There is only one criterion. We just need to look at the team rosters and understand where he will really have his place, as it happened with other players. So that he comes there and plays in the NHL, so that he has time and a place in the roster.
“For us, the player’s place in the NHL plays a role. We are now thinking more about the player, not the club.”
Chernykh notably did not mention the Flyers by name, but Philadelphia, with low expectations and a young team, is uniquely equipped to put Shabanov on the ice early and often right out of the gate.
And while Chernykh also represents the Islanders’ Maxim Tsyplakov, he doesn’t have the same draw or star power that Matvei Michkov has.
It could mean nothing, ultimately, but it should be noted that Michkov and Nikita Grebenkin follow Shabanov on Instagram, and Shabanov follows them. Grebenkin’s follow came after the initial premature reports of Shabanov joining the Flyers.
Is there a recruiting effort going on behind the scenes? Who knows?
But as far as paperwork goes, Chernykh and his client will wait to see which NHL team, including the Flyers, makes the best pitch to them after the dust settles on free agency after July 1.
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