Here's the latest on Islanders prospect Ruslan Iskhakov.
Here's the latest on Islanders prospect Ruslan Iskhakov.
Rumors swirled on Friday regarding New York Islanders prospect Ruslan Iskhakov and his future with the organization.
An account called Hockey Hub tweeted out that the 23-year-old forward could return to his native Russia and join CSKA Moscow this summer:
The Hockey News reached out to Iskhakov’s agent Dan Milstein, who also represents Ilya Sorokin and Alexander Romanov, to get some clarity on the situation.
“Ruslan is playing to earn an opportunity to play in the NHL,” Milstein said.”All contract and league discussions won’t take place until the summer.”
CSKA Moscow was the rumored team because CSKA has owned his KHL rights since he graduated from their academy.
Like Milstein said, there won't be anything discussed until after the 2023-24 season.
In his first two years in the American Hockey League, Iskhakov’s been a bright spot, being named to the All-Star Game twice with 30 goals and 55 assists for 85 points in 113 games.
The jury is still out on whether Iskhakov has enough talent away from the puck to be an NHL player.
But as of now, he is a pending restricted free agent, still working hard to make it to the show.