Evgeny Svechnikov has signed a two-year contract with AK Bars Kazan of the KHL.
Former Winnipeg Jets forward Evgeny Svechnikov has signed a two-year contract with AK Bars Kazan of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League.
Originally reported last week, the news recently became official, to which AK Bars Kazan will pay the 26-year-old 85 million rubles - which equates to roughly $900K USD.
Svechnikov suited up for Winnipeg in the 2021-22 season, the elder of the two professional hockey-playing brothers (see Andrei in Carolina) scored seven times and added 12 assists for 19 points in 72 games with the Jets. Last year, Svechnikov had eight goals and 14 points in 59 games in San Jose.
Originally a 19th overall selection of the Detroit Red Wings (2015) Svechnikov just hasn't been able to translate his strong junior game to that of a top-six NHL forward. He had just 20 goals and 45 points in 172 games in Motor City before not being extended by way of a qualifying offer in 2021.
The Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk product will return home to Russia, where he actually suited up in three games for AK Bars in 2013-14. After growing up in the Kazan minor hockey program, Svechnikov played for AK Bars prior to joining the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in the QMJHL, where he suited up for his Major Junior hockey prior to and after his draft year.
This move back to Russia was greeted by criticism from sports reporter Alexey Shevchenko, who commented on AK Bars' decision via SportExpress.ru.
“It’s hard to imagine how he will help the club,” Shevchenko commented. “He turned into a hockey player who does not understand what he does on the ice. Not suitable for the top six, he does not have the necessary qualities for the lower links.
“Imagine that Evgeny Svechnikov will play the way he did in most games for Winnipeg and San Jose. That is, absolutely nothing. And the money has been spent, and there is no extra money for defense, and there is discontent in the locker room. A strange step.”
In 172 regular season NHL games, Svechnikov has 20 goals and 45 points. In 186 AHL games, he has another 39 goals and 101 points.