Photo credit: Chelyabinsk Traktor Hockey Club [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/7affa17e-8d20-4780-b104-d47b53afee54.webp] Photo credit: Chelyabinsk Traktor Hockey Club With the team pressed to the salary cap, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon continues to find unique ways to add skilled forwards to his lineup and could be doing so again with KHL star Maxim Shabanov. According to a report by Marco D'Amico of RG Media [https://x.com/mndamico/status/1925963377127411973], the Pittsburgh Penguins [http://thn.com/pittsburgh] and the Golden Knights are in a "two-horse race" to sign KHL [http://thn.com/international] star forward Shabanov. The 24-year-old forward was dominant with Traktor Chelyabinsk, scoring 23 goals and 67 points in 65 games, ranking third in points among all players in the KHL. Although he's considered undersized, listed at just 5'8, 157 lbs, it hasn't affected his ability to create offence, displaying his skill set during the playoffs, recording 10 goals and 20 points in 21 games, losing in the Gagarin Cup finals. “Maybe I'll think about it, maybe not. I've said before that all my thoughts were focused on having a successful season with Traktor. I don’t read what people write about me or listen to what they say,” Shabanov commented before the final [https://rg.org/news/hockey/shabanov-simashev-lead-wave-of-khl-talent-preparing-for-nhl]. Across four seasons in the KHL, Shabanov registered 67 goals and 150 points in 207 games. With Russian forwards Ivan Barbashev and Pavel Dorofeyev on the Golden Knights roster, they could be a factor in swaying Shabanov to sign with the Golden Knights. Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwiNvfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] to never miss a story.
