Spartak adds Todd, SKA lands scoring duo, Barys boost its lineup. Top transfers

Nathan Todd signs with Spartak, Blandisi and Grimaldi boost SKA, while Barys and Dinamo Minsk add key imports. KHL.ru presents the best moves on the international market for the last few weeks.

Nathan Todd

From Salavat Yulaev to Spartak

The Muscovites signed their third international player in this offseason as they inked Canadian forward Nathan Todd to a one-year deal. Earlier, the Red-and-Whites returned Joey Keane and signed Lucas Lockhart from the Shanghai Dragons. They also parted ways with towering defenseman Michal Cajkovsky and will most likely attempt to retain Slovak forward Adam Ruzicka. Todd had a strong debut season in the KHL, with 52 (14+38) points in 68 regular-season games with Ufa, and two goals and three assists in five postseason contests. The versatile forward is expected to take on a leading role with Spartak as well. The Red-and-Whites have another two spots available on the international market.

Mike Vecchione

From Hershey Bears to Barys (through Traktor)

The KHL fans will have a chance to have a look and follow another player from the Hershey Bears in Mike Vecchione. The two-time Calder Cup champion was first inked by Traktor, but then was sent to Kazakhstan in exchange for money compensation. Vecchione, who hails from Massachusetts, had a strong collegiate career with the Union College, but failed to have a significant offensive impact in the NHL, where he had two short stints with the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals. He was much more successful at the AHL level, where he collected more than 500 appearances, most noticeably with the Bears. He’ll now be called to a prominent offensive role in Astana too.

Alex Limoges

From Hershey Bears to Dinamo Minsk

In the last couple of seasons, Limoges scored more than 100 points for the Hershey Bears, and raised the Calder Cup in 2024. Similarly to Vecchione, Limoges had four excellent seasons in the NCAA, with the Penn State University, then was a primary offensive weapon in the AHL, other than for the Bears, also with the Manitoba Moose and the San Diego Gulls. The forward from Colorado is expected to take a spot in Dinamo Minsk’s top six and make up for Alexander Volkov’s departure, who signed with Avangard this offseason.

Ian McCoshen

From Shanghai Dragons to Barys Astana

To strengthen the blueline, Barys opted for Ian McCoshen, a 30-years-old defenseman who made a good impression in his first KHL season with the then-called Kunlun Red Star with 15 (4+11) points in 61 games with the Dragons. There, he shown his physical presence leading the team with 123 hits. McCoshen is expected to bring to Kazakhstan his strong physical play and imposing presence. Recently, the Astana franchise has announced Mikhail Kravets as its head coach for the 2025-2026 campaign. Last term, Kravets coached the Kunlun Red Star.

Joseph Blandisi

From Toronto Marlies to SKA

SKA’s newcomer Joseph Blandisi hails from Ontario and spent most of his season in the AHL, with the latest four seasons with the Toronto Marlies. There, he showed his leadership abilities earning an appointment as an alternate captain for the franchise, and showcased his qualities scoring more than 150 points for the Marlies. He can play a hard-nosed game, somewhat similar to Dynamo Moscow’s Maxime Comtois. Blandisi will probably not slot into a first-line role since the start, but Igor Larionov will certainly make good use of his versatility and physical play.

Rocco Grimaldi

From Cleveland Monsters to SKA

SKA’s second signing was Rocco Grimaldi, a top-scorer at the AHL level and an experienced player on the international scene. In his youth Grimaldi, whose chances in the NHL were limited by his size, won gold at the U18 and U20 level with team USA, and at the 2023 World Championship he led the American team reaching fourth place, but was the tournament’s scoring leader with 14 points, outscoring several high-level stars. Last year, Grimaldi had 58 points in 66 regular-season games with the Monsters, while in 2023-2024, he was among the league’s top scorers, with 73 (36+37) points in 72 games. Considering his skating and technique abilities, Larionov will count on Grimaldi as one of the team’s top offensive weapons.