Just a little over two months since former NHLer Nikita Scherbak signed a three-year contract in the KHL comes word of more turmoil for the 23-year-old. The Russian media outlet Sports.ru is reporting that Scherbak's team, Avangard Omsk, is already trying to either trade him or terminate his contract without payment. It's worth 60 million rubles per season, just under $900,000 in US dollars.
Scherbak left the NHL in June of this year after he was not tendered a qualifying offer by the LA Kings. He was claimed by the Kings after being placed on waivers by the Montreal Canadiens in December of 2018. The move was a disappointing one for both parties, as Scherbak was a former first-round pick (26th overall) of the Canadiens and seemed to have the raw talent and skills it takes to make it in the NHL. However, according to an article written by Eric Engels at the time, Scherbak failed to show much progression in his game, even after playing in North America for the better part of three seasons. Even though the Habs had several roster spots up-for-grabs at the time, Scherbak was unable to snag any of them.
After returning to Russia in 2019, Scherbak had some disparaging words for the Habs , claiming players aren't allowed to speak Russian in the locker room and said general manager Marc Bergevin doesn't like Russian players. Claims of "Russophobia" within the Habs' organization were later called "ridiculous" by fellow Russian and Canadiens prospect Alexander Romanov.
Word out of Russia now is that Avangard Omsk's head coach Bob Hartley sees no desire for progression in Scherbak, and the team is looking to get rid of him one way or the other. Sports.ru is also reporting that Scherbak is currently renting an apartment in Moscow for 550,000 rubles a month, or just under $8,400 in US dollars.
Source: Sports.ru
