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Afinogenov is reportedly headed to the greener pastures of the Kontinental Hockey League.
Another flashy Russian is apparently headed back to the Motherland. Reports say former Atlanta Thrasher Maxim Afinogenov off to the KHL, joining former San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeny Nabokov in St. Petersburg, signing a deal with SKA. The report is that he’s getting five years for an unknown sum of money. My Russian is OK, but not that good.
The Thrasher fan in me continued to hope that Mad Max would bring his razzle dazzle back to the ATL. He looked good in Thrasher blue.
I have a couple of Russian colleagues who are looking into the story further, but the Russian site Sovietsky Sport seems to indicate Afinogenov to the KHL is a done deal. If true, that’s likely the last we’ve seen of Afinogenov in the NHL, which is sad. First Jagr now this!?! Horror! :-)
I hope that our brilliant and talented Russian gurus will have a better update for you later. Until then, do svidanya Max. It was fun while it lasted.
What do you think of this exodus of players from the NHL — is it worrisome to you? Let us know what you think!
Photo: Maxim Afinogenov by Goddess Kaatiya. Copyright 2010. All Rights Reserved.
My friends who have teams in the South East are happy because they weren’t impressed with Max’s elbow throwing to the heads of their players last year. As for players leaving the NHL, you can blame the hard cap the NHL is using. I would also say the rise of the KHL, but then you also have to listen to youngster Filatov’s comments about it being an “old man’s league”. Interesting comment from the kid. The NHL has a serious problem, and I hope people are paying attention to what is happening in the nhlpa. We’re going to have another work stoppage if stupidity continues.
What are we going to do without those cheekbones in the NHL? ;-)
I wouldn’t worry about an exodus – I think there’ll be back-and-forth as long as the KHL (or a facsimile) exists.