KHL Korner

Not much going on in the world of the KHL a few quick notes to start off with.

*-> Martin Kariya was seriously injured this week when he was checked from behind in a Dynamo Riga game. He hit face first into the boards then his head bounced off the ice. The KHL medical staff once again were delayed and took extra long to help him off the ice. It was determined he had a severe concussion and spent the night in the hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery and the league has said he may only miss a month of play.

*-> Montreal Canadiens prospect Alexander Avtsin has been heating up in the KHL junior league the MHL. He now has 3 goals in the past 2 games and his play has earned him a call up with his team Dynamo Moscow where he did not look out of place.

*-> Nikolai Zherdev scored in his debut with Atlant Mytischi. He looked fairly good in his debut game and made a few revealing comments after the game. The effortless Russian told the media he was still in talks with Atlanta Thrashers of the NHL about a possible return next season to join fellow countryman Ilya Kolvalchuk who has been swaying management and issuing demands as he is unrestricted after this season.

*-> Jaromir Jagr has also hinted to the OMSK management that he too may want to return to the NHL and finish his career. He has remained in contact with several NHL teams including the Penguins about a possible comeback effort.

*-> CSKA Moscow has been in close talks with forward Rob Niedermayer. Head Coach and GM Sergei Nemchinov has stated although RDS and other America media has reported hes signed it has yet to happen. He did not rule out him not being signed ether by stating he'd love to have the rugged winger and has placed several calls to his agent and expects to hear from him if he has yet to have an NHL deal soon.

*-> Anton Babchuk of the Carolina Hurricanes has arrived in Russia to start practising with his new team Avangard OMSK. The defenseman could not come to terms with Carolina after refusing a 1 MIL$ deal over 2 years. After the Canes could not find a trading partner he signed in Russia. However the defenseman does have a release clause so a return this season may be possible.