Overview
- The Blue Jackets, in reports Monday from The Athletic echoed by Pro Hockey Rumors and other outlets, aim to sign Sergei Ivanov when his SKA St. Petersburg deal ends at May’s close and assign him to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters on an entry-level contract.
- Columbus already owns Ivanov’s NHL rights from drafting him in the fifth round in 2022, which would streamline an agreement once his KHL term lapses.
- Ivanov’s recent KHL play drives the interest, with a .928 save percentage for both Admiral Vladivostok and SKA and a .911 mark with HC Sochi over the past three seasons.
- Some Russian prospects resist AHL stints to stay closer to home, but reporting indicates Columbus believes Ivanov is willing to develop in North America.
- In separate confirmed moves overseas, Lucas Wallmark signed a six-year deal with SHL club IF Björklöven and Petrus Palmu agreed to a one-year contract with Liiga’s SaiPa.