Croatian star returns, Sochi confirms head coach
In a week dominated by trade news, all but two teams in the KHL have now confirmed next season’s head coach. HC Sochi completed its import roster for the coming campaign, with Metallurg, Ak Bars, SKA and CSKA also active.
Kokorev secures Sochi job
Despite finishing at the foot of the Western Conference last season, Sochi decided to continue with Dmitry Kokorev behind the bench. During troubled season for the Leopards, Kokorev was appointed interim head coach in January, becoming the third man in charge. His return of five wins in 16 games was relatively good given the team’s struggles and the departure of key personnel prior to the December trade deadline.
Kokorev’s appointment leaves just two clubs yet to confirm their head coach for the coming season. In Kazan, Ak Bars hopes to persuade Zinetula Bilyaletdinov to continue after coming out of retirement to reach the Gagarin Cup final, Meanwhile, Kunlun Red Star remains tight-lipped about whether Greg Ireland will be invited back.
Rendulic returns to KHL
Croatia’s top player, Borna Rendulic, is coming back to the KHL after agreeing terms with Sochi. Previously he spent 18 months at Vityaz, potting 22 goals in that time, before moving to Germany. The 31-year-one winger played three of the last four seasons with Adler Mannheim, and maintained a good production rate in the DEL. More recently, he was the leading scorer in Croatia’s World Championship campaign: admittedly, this isn’t the pinnacle of international hockey, but his efforts in Division IIA helped his nation take bronze behind Spain and Georgia. With the acquisition of Rendulic, Sochi completes its import stable. The Croatian joins defenseman Jesse Graham and center Michal Kristof.
Shaking up the ice. Top transfer moves
Okulov stays with CSKA
Konstantin Okulov, a key part of CSKA’s back-to-back Gagarin Cup wins, is staying with the Muscovites. The 28-year-old forward, who had 74 (24+50) points in 87 games last season, signed a new two-year deal with Sergei Fedorov’s team. For Okulov, who joined the team from Sibir in 2017, there is now every chance of winning a fourth cup with the same team — a feat never previously achieved in the KHL. He’ll also add to an impressive career of 512 games, yielding 335 (124+201) points.
SKA continues to revamp offense
After acquiring Avangard’s Sergei Tolchinsky and Arseny Gritsyuk, SKA is now making room on the roster for its new players. And that spells the end for Damir Zhafyarov, who moves on after a single season in Petersburg. The much-travelled 29-year-old is joining Ak Bars, with SKA claiming the rights to San Diego Gulls defenseman Dmitry Osipov and Minnesota’s Swedish goaltending prospect Filip Gustavsson.
Metallurg snaps up Mikhailis
There was plenty of interest in securing the services of Nikita Mikhailis for the coming season. However, Metallurg won the race, signing a one-year deal with the Kazakh forward. Mikhailis has been impressively consistent throughout his time with Barys, even if the 2022-2023 season proved difficult for the 27-year-old. He endured an 18-game goalless run as he struggled to adapt to the pressures of captaincy in Astana before returning to his accustomed form late in the campaign. Recently, Mikhailis also helped Kazakhstan to 11th place in the IIHF World Championship, the country’s second best result on the international stage. The Steelmen also recruited Severstal’s defenseman Makar Khabarov, and agreed a new contract with fellow blue-liner Grigory Dronov.
