Maxim Shabanov (Photo by hctraktor.org)
Reports claiming that forward Maxim Shabanov has already reached a deal with the Philadelphia Flyers are premature. The player will make his decision only after the NHL Draft and once the free agent market opens, his agent Alexander Chernykh told RG.
“We’re still in the process of talking with teams,” Chernykh said. “Right now, we’re waiting for the Draft, because that’s when trades happen and team situations change. Then the free agency will open. We want to see how the league landscape looks. It’s not a fast process.”
Chernykh also represents New York Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov and often refers to that experience when discussing current negotiations.
“When we negotiated Tsyplakov’s contract, it was also a long process,” said Chernykh. “At first, we talked to one team, then a second, then the sixth, the seventh… Then the list of options narrowed, and we returned to speak with those teams again. It’ll be the same process for Shabanov.”
When asked whether there is already a deal with the Flyers, as reported last week by Russian newspaper Sport-Express, Chernykh replied: “Just having a conversation doesn’t mean anything yet.”
In choosing an NHL team, the 24-year-old Shabanov — who scored 23 goals and added 47 assists in 65 games last season for Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL — will focus mostly on hockey-related factors.
“The city itself is not a priority for him,” said Chernykh. “He wants to consider everything, including the coaching staff.”
Shabanov was one of the finalists for the KHL’s Most Valuable Player Award this past season. Due to his age, his first NHL contract will be a one-year, two-way deal.
“With a light contract like that, any team would be willing to take him since there’s very little risk,” Chernykh said. “So we’re not in a rush — we’re choosing carefully.”
Sergey Demidov
