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Winnipeg Free Press
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canucks sign forward Vitali Kravtsov to one-year, two-way contract
VANCOUVER – The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Vitali Kravtsov to a one-year, two-way contract, the NHL club announced Tuesday. The 25-year-old had 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) in 66 games with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League last season. He added six goals and an assist in 19 playoff games, helping Chelyabinsk reach the Gagarin Cup final. The six-foot-three, 186-pound forward has six goals and six assists in 64 NHL games with the New York Rangers and Canucks over the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons. Kravtsov was originally selected by the Rangers in the first round, ninth overall, in the 2018 NHL draft. He was acquired by the Canucks on Feb. 25, 2023, for forward William Lockwood and a 2026 seventh-round pick. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'Vitali had a strong season in the KHL and was an impact player for his team,' Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a release. 'In his two seasons in Russia, he has worked hard on his game, and we look forward to seeing where Vitali is at when he comes to training camp.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2025.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Shock Move: Mac Hollowell signs with Russia's Lokomotiv Yaroslavl after AHL breakout
Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images After leading the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in defensive scoring this past season, Mac Hollowell is taking his talents overseas. The 26-year-old blueliner has signed a one-year deal with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the reigning Gagarin Cup champions. Hollowell's move comes as he approaches unrestricted free agency, seeking a larger role and new opportunity following a six-year stint in the AHL. The Niagara Falls native's transition marks a significant career shift, as he looks to make an impact in one of the world's top pro hockey leagues. AHL standout Mac Hollowell heads to Gagarin Cup champs Lokomotiv Yaroslavl after leading all Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defensemen in points Lokomotiv Yaroslavl made Hollowell's addition official on June 11, announcing the signing through their Telegram channel — a widely used platform in Eastern Europe. The move follows a report from in late May, where journalist Andrey Pchelintsev noted Hollowell was 'in the final stages of negotiations' with the Russian club. Mac Hollowell spent the 2024–25 season with Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and led all defensemen on the team with 31 points (one goal, 30 assists) in 56 games. Despite his productivity and puck-moving skill set, the 5-foot-10, 176-pound right-shot defenseman didn't receive an NHL call-up during the season. His current one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins expires on July 1, at which point he becomes a Group VI unrestricted free agent. Originally drafted by Kyle Dubas in the fourth round of the 2018 NHL Draft, Hollowell played several years in the Toronto Maple Leafs system. He made his NHL debut in 2022–23, appearing in six games, but has not returned to the league since. Following brief stints with the Rangers and Penguins organizations, Hollowell is now set for a fresh start abroad. All eyes on Mac Hollowell as Lokomotiv Yaroslavl reloads for a title defense Lokomotiv is coming off its first Gagarin Cup title in franchise history but recently lost top prospect Dmitri Simashev to the NHL. With just three defensemen currently under contract, Hollowell's arrival fills a timely need. His 0.56 career points-per-game average in 244 AHL contests suggests he could be a valuable asset for a team looking to defend its title. A change in scenery may be exactly what Hollowell needs to unlock the next chapter of his career.
NBC Sports
29-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Utah Mammoth sign top prospects Dmitri Simashev and Daniil But to their entry-level NHL contracts
The Utah Mammoth are bringing over two of their top prospects from Russia in time for next season, signing defenseman Dmitri Simashev and forward Daniil But to three-year entry-level contracts. General manager Bill Armstrong announced the deals, the latest bit of good news for the club that just got its full-time name and is going into its second season in Salt Lake City. Simashev was the sixth pick in 2023 and But was taken 12th in that same draft when the team was known as the Arizona Coyotes. Each of the 20-year-olds spent this past season in the KHL. 'After we drafted them, we knew there was a long process before the day we would actually sign them,' Armstrong said on a video call with reporters. 'There was a lot of work behind the scenes to get it done.' Simashev and But were teammates for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, helping the club win the Gagarin Cup for the first time in franchise history. Getting them signed means they could play with Utah in the NHL or Tucson of the American Hockey League next season. 'You never want to rule (the AHL) out, but these guys have played at elite level over in Russia and played for one of the top teams and they experienced a high-pressure culture where they play, so there's a good opportunity that they might not ever touch the American League,' Armstrong said, acknowledging there will be a transition period. 'I believe both of them will come into camp and will have a good opportunity to compete for a job, and I think they'll be close to making it.' Armstrong called the 6-foot-5, 207-pound Simashev the biggest defenseman he has drafted with this good of mobility. 'He can cover ground,' Armstrong said. 'He's one of the best skaters. He works at his game. He's extremely good on the D side of the puck, and there's some room for him to grow offensively obviously, too, to put into play with his skating.' But, even bigger at 6-foot-6 and 216 pounds, reminds Armstrong of Buffalo forward Tage Thompson and similar-sized players who took a little longer to adjust to North American rinks that are 15 feet narrower than those in Europe. 'He's a massive human being, and he's learning to use his body more effectively and it takes a while when you're that big to put the strength on to compete against men,' Armstrong said. 'He plays a North American-style game. He's extremely aggressive cutting into the net and occupying the front of the net with elite stick skills.' It was a key step just getting them to North America to fit in with a young core led by captain Clayton Keller, forward Logan Cooley, defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and goaltender Karel Vejmelka. Sergachev and veterans Ian Cole and Olli Maatta each have won the Stanley Cup multiple times, Keller and Cooley are coming off leading the U.S. to gold at the world championships and Simashev and But are also KHL champions. 'It's something that I love to see in our young players, the winning and the championships,' Armstrong said. 'If you just continue to bring in winners, it's going to translate into our club winning. But we've got to make the playoffs first. That's a huge thing.' With the salary cap going up, Armstrong has more than $21 million in room to use in free agency and trades to take the Mammoth to the next level and end the organization's playoff drought of 12 years — excluding the expanded format in the bubble in 2020. They won the second draft lottery drawing to move up from picking 14th to fourth, giving the front office the chance to add another player with elite talent for the future.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Top KHL defender Dmitri Simashev joins Utah Mammoth in major three-year NHL deal
Top KHL defender Dmitri Simashev joins Utah Mammoth in major three-year NHL deal (Image Source: Getty Images) The Utah Mammoth have officially signed a key component of their future blue line. On Tuesday, the organization signed Russian defenseman Dmitri Simashev to a three-year, entry-level agreement, one of the NHL's most highly touted young prospects brought to North America. GM Bill Armstrong looking forward to Dmitri Simashev's potential Utah Mammoth General Manager Bill Armstrong was thrilled with the signing. "We are happy to sign Dmitri to an NHL contract,' Armstrong said. According to him, he is one of the best young defensemen and they are pleased to have him playing for the Mammoth for a long time. The player was the whole season associated with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, which is a team in the KHL. He was primarily responsible for one goal and a couple of assists during the regular season as he combined strong defense with them. In the postseason, Dmitri Simashev was the key person. He managed to score the first-ever Gagarin Cup for his team by playing in all the games. Despite the fact that he had only one assist, he was ensuring security to bring a victory. Also Read: Jaccob Slavin's Life, Career, And Impact On Team USA A solid background and great expectations up ahead Dmitri Simashev has become an elite-level defenseman because his skills in skating and knowledge of the game are unbelievable. In three KHL seasons with Lokomotiv, Simashev has accumulated sixteen points, and career highs in goals, assists, and points in last year's season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tips for the Purchasing of Used Vehicles: latest competitive rates answerpedia Learn More Undo He has contributed two playoff assists in more than thirty games. Prior to moving to the KHL, Dmitri Simashev was with Loko Yaroslavl who is Lokomotiv's MHL junior affiliate. Along the way, he split ice time with forward prospect Daniil But of the Utah Mammoth, providing the club with inherent chemistry through its pipeline. Originally drafted 6th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2023 NHL Draft, Simashev's rights moved to Utah with the relocation of the franchise earlier this year. Signed with his NHL contract, he will be relied upon to develop into a major contributor to the Mammoth's defense. Utah fans will be interested to watch how soon Dmitri Simashev adapts to the NHL level, but no doubt the ability is there. With his peaceful defensive game and playmaking in pressure situations, he's regarded as a long-term blue-line anchor for the Mammoth. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
Hamilton Spectator
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Utah Mammoth sign top prospects Simashev and But to their entry-level NHL contracts
The Utah Mammoth are bringing over two of their top prospects from Russia in time for next season, signing defenseman Dmitri Simashev and forward Daniil But to three-year entry-level contracts. General manager Bill Armstrong announced the deals Wednesday, the latest bit of good news for the club that just got its full-time name and is going into its second season in Salt Lake City. Simashev was the sixth pick and But was taken 12th in the 2023 draft when the team was known as the Arizona Coyotes. Each of the 20-year-olds spent this past season in the KHL with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and won the Gagarin Cup. 'Dmitri has established himself as one of the top defenseman prospects in the NHL,' Armstrong said. 'Daniil is a highly skilled forward with a great shot and playmaking skills who is coming off a career season.' Getting them signed allows Utah to play them in the NHL or the American Hockey League next season. It was a key step just getting them to North America to fit in with a young core led by captain Clayton Keller, forward Logan Cooley, defenseman Mikhail Sergachev and goaltender Karel Vejmelka. With the salary cap going up, Armstrong has more than $21 million in room to use in free agency and trades to take the Mammoth to the next level and end the organization's playoff drought of 12 years — excluding the expanded format in the bubble in 2020. They won the second draft lottery drawing to move up from picking 14th to fourth , giving the front office the chance to add another player with elite talent for the future. ___ AP NHL:
