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Blackhawks could reportedly add KHL-leading goal scorer to roster this season
Photo credit: NHL.com
The Chicago Blackhawks could reportedly add one of the KHL's top goal scorers to their roster this season.
The Chicago Blackhawks drafted Roman Kantserov in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, and after years in the KHL, the Russian forward could move to North America soon.
How soon? Well, it depends on his team's playoff run, but an early exit would allow Hawks fans to see the standout prospect coming to Chicago as soon as next spring.
Although he revealed in a recent interview that he is targeting the 2026-27 season for his arrival, his KHL contract expires at the end of the current season, as we saw with Ivan Demidov and Alexander Nikishin last season.
He opened up on that possibility in a recent interview.
Hawks To Add Top KHL Scorer Toward The End Of The Season
In 30 games so far this season with Magnitogorsk Metallurg, the Hawks prospect tallied 19 goals and 14 assists, leading the KHL in goals, and tied for 2nd in points.
Here's what he said in an interview on RG.org about his arrival in Chicago, the opportunity to play with Connor Bedard, and his growing responsibilities due to his leadership role with his team:
"I'll make that decision next year. Right now, I'm focused on helping Metallurg. We have a great team and great opportunities here. But of course, if the chance comes, I'd really like to test myself over there."
"This season, I was also named an assistant captain - the third one, but still, it means a lot. I need to live up to that trust. Playing on the first line well, I'm comfortable both at center and on the wing. I think my skill set allows that. I just need to improve a bit on faceoffs and in the defensive zone."
"I'm very positive about playing center. It's difficult, but it helps me develop new skills. As a center, you have to be responsible at both ends - helping your wingers, winning pucks, and making plays for teammates."
"Of course I follow [Connor] Bedard. They're a young team in a rebuild, but they're doing quite well. As for our communication, it's normal, professional. They know I'm in the last year of my contract, and I can feel they're showing more interest now. We have calls roughly every 10 games, go over clips, and discuss areas to improve. Still, the systems in our leagues are very different, so we mostly talk about individual skills."
"This season, I was also named an assistant captain - the third one, but still, it means a lot. I need to live up to that trust. Playing on the first line well, I'm comfortable both at center and on the wing. I think my skill set allows that. I just need to improve a bit on faceoffs and in the defensive zone."
"I'm very positive about playing center. It's difficult, but it helps me develop new skills. As a center, you have to be responsible at both ends - helping your wingers, winning pucks, and making plays for teammates."
"Of course I follow [Connor] Bedard. They're a young team in a rebuild, but they're doing quite well. As for our communication, it's normal, professional. They know I'm in the last year of my contract, and I can feel they're showing more interest now. We have calls roughly every 10 games, go over clips, and discuss areas to improve. Still, the systems in our leagues are very different, so we mostly talk about individual skills."
Kantserov will be among the next generation of top prospects to join the team, with other notable players like Anton Frondell.
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