Liska’s scoring and Sawchuk’s spree. Week 16 top imports
In a light week, several imports had an impact on their team as the fight for postseason qualification continues. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
Slovakia
F, Severstal, 2 G, 3 (2+1) points, even
The Slovak forward is having a career year for Severstal, even if he had to miss some time due to an injury in November. Last week, the Cherepovets forward potted a double in the 2025 last game – a losing effort against Ak Bars (2:3 SO) – and it was Liska’s second two-goal performance in December. In 2026, Severstal returned to winning games, posting a 4:2 victory over Lada on Saturday, with Liska posting an assist. With the Cherepovets side still fighting for Western supremacy, Liska’s points and strong play will be key for Andrei Razin’s squad.
US
D, Traktor, 2 G, 3 (1+2) points, +1
The American blueliner managed to keep his strong productivity with his new team after this summer he moved from Dinamo Minsk to Traktor. And last week, it was once again a productive one. The Black-and-Whites lost their last 2025 game, to Metallurg, but Gross had one goal and one assist in a high-scoring affair, claimed by Magnitka with a 5:4 score. However, in the 2026 first game, the Minnesota native helped Traktor record a 5:4 win against his former team, Dinamo Minsk, as he posted an assist in more than eighteen minutes on the ice. With Traktor trying to climb up in the Eastern Conference’s standings, Gross’ strong 200-foot play will be key for the Black-and-Whites.
Canada
F, Lada, 2 G, 3 (3+0) points, +2
One of the few glimpses of light in Lada’s bad season, Riley Sawchuk was very good last week, despite the Togliatti side losing both games. The Saskatoon native, in his debut season in the league, had a double in Lada’s losing effort in Yekaterinburg on Dec. 30, where he also posted a plus-2 differential despite the 3:4 loss. In the 2026 first game, Lada lost again, but Sawchuk kept on scoring as he netted his fourteenth goal of the season in a 2:4 defeat in Cherepovets. Lada is currently at the foot of the Western Conference’s table, but Sawchuk is having a strong season and will represent the team at the 2026 All-Star Game.
