Michael Frolik mulling offer from KHL, may be joining former coach

Forward Michael Frolik may be heading to Russia for the 2020-21 season. Several reports state the 32-year-old former first-rounder has been made an offer of a one-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL. The team is coached by Bob Hartley, who served as bench boss for Calgary while Frolik played there in 2016-17.

Frolik is technically a free agent, although NHL free agency won't officially kick in until November of this year. He last played for the Buffalo Sabres, who did not qualify for the play-in round of the NHL's 24-team Return to Play format. Because of that, Frolik will not play again in 2019-20 and his current contract is up.

Frolik was originally drafted 10th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2006. After close to three seasons in Florida, he was dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks at the deadline in 2011. He won a Stanley Cup with Chicago in 2013 and was then traded to Winnipeg during the draft in the offseason. After two seasons with the Jets, he signed as a free agent with Calgary in 2015. His point production dropped considerably this season and he was shipped to Buffalo on January 2nd.

Frolik had just one goal – an empty-netter – and three assists in 19 games for the Sabres after being acquired from the Flames. The Sabres hoped Frolik would add some offense and have some positive effect on their struggling penalty kill, but it didn't pan out. It has not been revealed just how much money he is being offered by Avangard Omsk but given the fact that it will likely be difficult to get an NHL offer and that Russia is much closer to his home in the Czech Republic, it's likely a safe bet that's where he'll end up before next season begins.

À LIRE

Il y a 29 minutes  |  Par William Nadeau Un coup dur est confirmé pour un attaquant du Canadien en pleine série contre les Sabres

Il y a 1 heure  |  Par William Nadeau La LNH annonce deux sanctions immédiates dont une pour Arber Xhekaj

Il y a 2 heures  |  Par William Nadeau La sanction de la LNH imposée à Josh Norris pour son geste contre le Canadien est maintenant avancée par ESPN

Il y a 4 heures  |  Par William Nadeau La sanction de la LNH qui serait imposée à Arber Xhekaj est maintenant connue, selon deux sources

Il y a 5 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Le Canadien confirme un changement d'horaire inattendu et impose une interdiction avant le match numéro quatre

Il y a 5 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Quatre joueurs débarquent immédiatement en renfort pour le Canadien dont une surprise en attaque

Il y a 6 heures  |  Par William Nadeau Le geste posé par Samuel Montembeault au retour au vestiaire de Jakub Dobes hier fait énormément réagir

Il y a 7 heures  |  Par William Nadeau On se dirige vers une suspension pour Arber Xhekaj après le geste posé hier et les détails sont révélés

PLUS DE CHRONIQUES