Hockey

Shabanov, Simashev Lead Wave Of KHL Stars Eyeing NHL Moves

Published: May 23, 2025, 7:23 AM
4 min read
Updated: Jul 8, 2025, 6:56 AM
Fact checked by:
Marco D'Amico
Dmitry Simashev

Dmitry Simashev (Photo by HC Lokomotiv)

Following Lokomotiv's victory over Traktor in the Gagarin Cup final, several players from both teams now have an opportunity to test themselves in the NHL. This offseason is expected to be especially active for transfers involving promising Russian hockey players moving overseas. RG reviews the potential for key participants of the final series.

Dmitriy Simashev (Utah Mammoth)

20-year-old defenseman Dmitriy Simashev has officially announced his departure from the KHL to join the Utah Mammoth. Having played 21 playoff games, contributing one assist, and earning 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists) during the regular season, he occasionally found himself as the team's seventh defenseman. Simashev acknowledged the significance of this season for his career and promised a breakthrough next year.

“This season was special for me. We won the Gagarin Cup, and I learned a lot this year. I'm confident that next season will be a breakthrough. I promise. Now I can say with peace of mind that yes, I'm moving to the NHL,” Simashev declared.

Friendly messages between Simashev and Utah's defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, captured during the final broadcast, hint at their possible future as teammates in the NHL.

RG Prediction: Simashev is expected to head to North America and will likely begin his NHL path in the AHL, working his way into Utah's roster.

Maxim Shabanov (Traktor)

Maxim Shabanov was one of the standout players in the KHL this season. The 24-year-old forward scored 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 21 playoff games and collected 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists) in 65 regular-season matches. NHL scouts, particularly from the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vegas Golden Knights, have closely monitored him. Despite making costly mistakes in the final, Shabanov remains a top target for North American clubs. Although Vegas is the most active, Shabanov himself remains undecided:

“Maybe I'll think about it, maybe not. I've said before that all my thoughts were focused on having a successful season with Traktor. I don’t read what people write about me or listen to what they say,” Shabanov commented before the final.

RG Prediction: As an unrestricted free agent, Shabanov needs to carefully choose his NHL club to fulfill his potential. Vegas seems closest, but securing a top-six spot there would be extremely challenging. Pittsburgh appears a more suitable destination, potentially allowing Shabanov to develop into a new Nikita Kucherov.

Daniil But (Lokomotiv)

20-year-old forward Daniil But, who appeared in 13 playoff games recording one assist, remains uncertain about his future. He earned 28 points (9 goals, 19 assists) in 54 regular-season games but lost consistency towards the end of the season and missed the decisive match. Considering his youth and impressive physique (6'6", 216 lbs), But's potential is clear, yet he has made no final decisions.

“I don't know yet. I'll think it through carefully. There’s no final decision yet,” But shared.

RG Prediction: It is likely that But's father, Lokomotiv's coach Anton But, will persuade him to stay in Russia for a couple more years. If he does move to Utah, it will almost certainly be via the AHL.

Maxim Berezkin (Edmonton Oilers)

23-year-old Lokomotiv forward Maxim Berezkin had an outstanding season, earning 14 points (9 goals, 5 assists) in 21 playoff games and 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) during the regular season. With his KHL contract expiring on May 31, he is already considered NHL-ready, especially given his size (6'4", 212 lbs) and ability to play effectively near the net, complementing stars like McDavid or Draisaitl.

RG Prediction: Berezkin's move to the NHL is highly likely, although no official statements have been made yet.

Vitali Kravtsov (Traktor)

25-year-old Vitali Kravtsov, selected ninth overall by the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Draft, again showed inconsistency during crucial moments this season. After an excellent regular season (58 points in 66 games), he scored only 7 points (6 goals, 1 assist) in 19 playoff games, highlighting the recurring issues that prevented him from solidifying his NHL career previously.

RG Prediction: Kravtsov should not rush into his fourth NHL attempt without first establishing consistent form, although his strong regular season may attract modest offers from NHL teams. However, he is unlikely to secure a top-six position immediately.

Head of News Department
Sergey Demidov is Head of News at RG.org and has covered global sports since 2007. His work spans the Olympics, FIFA World Cups, and Stanley Cup Finals. A former senior editor at NHL.com, he has interviewed stars like Sidney Crosby and Didier Drogba. Sergey specializes in Olympic disciplines, football, and hockey, and publishes in English and Russian.
Interests:
NHL
EPL
FIFA
UCL
NFL
NBA
BWF
Hiking
Reading
Movies
Food

More RG Exclusive Interviews

Hockey
Interview
Ivan Prosvetov Eyes Flames’ Starting Role, Ready For McDavid

Returning NHL goalie Ivan Prosvetov joins the Calgary Flames on a one-year deal, determined to secure the starter’s job and face star Connor McDavid.

6
07/23/2025
Sergey Demidov
Sergey Demidov
Ivan Prosvetov Eyes Flames’ Starting Role, Ready For McDavid
Hockey
Interview
Jeff Gorton, Canadiens See Serious Value in Their Goaltending

Jeff Gorton sat down with RG in an exclusive interview and discussed the present and future states of his team’s goaltending.

8
07/20/2025
James Murphy
James Murphy
Jeff Gorton, Canadiens See Serious Value in Their Goaltending
Hockey
Interview
Source: McKenna Sweepstakes Expected to Spur Earlier NHL Trade Activity

Parity stalled trades this summer, but the 2026 McKenna sweepstakes may spark early NHL sell-offs by U.S. Thanksgiving, sources say.

12
07/19/2025
Marco D'Amico
Marco D'Amico
Source: McKenna Sweepstakes Expected to Spur Earlier NHL Trade Activity
Hockey
Interview
“It Was Tough”: Orlov Says Limited Role With Canes Took Mental Toll

Dmitry Orlov reveals the mental toll of his reduced role in Carolina, saying he felt overlooked and spent long stretches away from his family.

9
07/18/2025
Daria Tuboltseva
Daria Tuboltseva
“It Was Tough”: Orlov Says Limited Role With Canes Took Mental Toll
Prev
...
Next

Hockey Writers

Daria Tuboltseva
Daria Tuboltseva
Hockey Reporter

Daria Tuboltseva has worked as a sports journalist since 2014 and has specialized in hockey coverage since 2016. She’s reported from some of the world’s biggest sporting events, including the Olympic Games (Beijing 2022), the FIFA World Cup (2018), the IIHF World Championships (2016–2019, 2021), the IIHF World Junior Championship (2019), and every Gagarin Cup Final since 2017.

Her work has appeared in leading Russian sports outlets like Championat.com and Sport24, as well as on the official websites of the KHL and the Women’s Hockey League (WHL). Daria has conducted exclusive interviews with some of the sport’s most recognized names, including Alex Ovechkin, Jaromir Jagr, Kirill Kaprizov, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Igor Shesterkin.

Beyond her writing, Daria brings extensive on-camera experience. She hosted NHL Today on Yandex.Efir and has produced powerful long-form projects such as the documentary Lokomotiv Crash and the series Hockey Country, featuring stars like Ovechkin, Malkin, Bobrovsky, Vasilevskiy, and Panarin. Her work has taken her to NHL games across North America and international events like the NHL Global Series in Europe.

In addition to her media career, Daria is a certified integrative nutritionist with a focus on sports nutrition. She works one-on-one with KHL players, helping them optimize performance and recovery through tailored nutrition plans. Her ability to blend media expertise with athlete support gives her a unique presence in the professional hockey world.

Daria publishes in both English and Russian and is the creator of the Telegram channel Coolest Game on Earth, where she shares insights, interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the hockey world.

Based in: Saint Petersburg, Russia

Languages: English, Russian

Meet All Our Experts
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Read our
Privacy Policy
.