Sharks Free Agent Nikolai Kovalenko Signs In KHL

American-born Russian winger Nikolai Kovalenko, 25, has signed atwo-year contract with CSKA Moscow, the KHLclub announced on social media on Saturday.The move comes ninedays after CSKAacquired Kovalenkos KHL rights from Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod inexchange for recently-signed ex-NHLer Egor Sokolov.

Kovalenko was born in Raleigh, N.C.

while his father, AndreiKovalenko, played for the CarolinaHurricanes.

He grew up in Moscow and Yaroslavl, and played in 304KHL regular-season and playoff games for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Ak BarsKazan and Torpedo between 2017 and 2024, recording 157 points.At the end of the 2023-24 KHL season, Kovalenko, who had alreadysigned a two-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche, was assignedto the AHLsColorado Eagles.

He made his NHL debut in that year's playoffs when he was called up to play in two games forthe Avalanche.Kovalenko split the 2024-25 season with Colorado and the SanJose Sharks, recording 20 points and 16 penalty minutes in 57games.

Midway through the season, he was involved in a trade that sawgoaltenders Alexandar Georgiev and Mackenzie Blackwood head inopposite directions.

Two Days After Signing In KHL, Sokolov Traded For NHL Free AgentTwo days after signing with CSKA Moscow, Russian winger Egor Sokolovhas been traded to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, the CSKA club announcedon Thursday.CSKA,colloquially known in North America as the Red Army team, is aperennial powerhouse in Russia, butafter back-to-back Gagarin Cup titles in 2022 and 2023, has beenknocked out in the first round of the playoffs each of the past twoyears.

Theteam has made numerous moves in recent weeks, including signingSokolov and then tradinghim for Kovalenkos rights two days later.

The team hasalso signedgoaltender Spencer Martin and acquiredDenis Zernov from Metallurg Magnitogorsk inexchange for NewYork Islanders prospectRuslan Iskhakov.

CSKAalsohas under contract for 2025-26 ex-NHLers Denis Guryanov, NikitaNesterov, Nikita Okhotyuk and Vladislav Kamenev.Photo Steven Bisig-Imagn Images.Goalie Spencer Martin Signs In KHLCanadian goaltender Spencer Martin, 30, has signed a two-yearcontract with CSKA Moscow, the KHL club announced on Wednesday..

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