Transition space: which of the KHL's favorites has strengthened by the beginning of June

The clubs of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) are active in the offseason. By the first half of June, there are enough significant transitions. Joshua Livo replaced Ufa with Avangard, Vadim Shipachev ended up at Salavat, Nikita Nesterov at CSKA, and Lokomotiv opted for Dmitry Kvartalnov as head coach. Read more about these and other completed transactions in the Izvestia article.

The return of Kvartalnov

Dmitry Kvartalnov helped Dinamo Minsk to have the best three years of the team's performance in the KHL, but in the current situation, the decision to leave for Lokomotiv seems as appropriate as possible. It was almost impossible to work with the previous leadership again, forgetting about old grievances. All the bridges have already burned down. Breaking up is the best option for both sides.

The management of the Yaroslavl club chose the strongest specialist available. Seven years ago, Kvartalnov was escorted out of Lokomotiv without any special words of gratitude. A lot has changed since then. It's hard to believe yet that he will be able to lead the team to a third consecutive title. But he will not lower the bar below a certain level, and all Yaroslavl youth should jump to the ceiling with delight: they will be given chances to prove themselves in the main squad.

Nesterov stayed at CSKA

Nikita Nesterov did not want to leave Moscow far away. In addition, despite a certain decline, he still suits CSKA head coach Igor Nikitin with his game. We are not at all surprised that the 33-year-old defender remains at the army club for two more seasons. Nesterov's salary will be 50 million rubles. According to one of the sources, part of this amount will be covered by so-called commercial money. We are waiting for advertising banners with images of Nesterov and Denis Guryanov on the streets of Moscow.

CSKA also signed central striker Derek Barak, although his performance at Metallurg last season was not impressive. Barak's invitation to Magnitogorsk a year ago looked dubious. Being a leader at Vityaz and at a top club competing for the Gagarin Cup are two completely different roles. The American didn't pull it in the Magnitogorsk club. His 6 (2+4) points in 15 playoff games speak volumes. The only option where Barak was really useful was to play in the slot in the first special brigade of the majority.

Without staying at Metallurg, Barak moves to CSKA, with whom he has signed a two-year contract. The army wants to revive his connection with Dmitry Buchelnikov. Together they successfully played in Vityaz. It is quite possible that it will be easier for an American to find himself in Igor Nikitin's more organized hockey. Even after the unsuccessful playoffs, the demand for Barack persisted. But this is largely because the foreign market in the KHL is now very scarce, and clubs prefer to rely on proven foreign players who have already adapted to the league.

Avtomobilist gathers veterans

Alexey Kudashov, the head coach of Avtomobilist, called for those he knows well. There seems to be nothing terrible in this, but instead of rejuvenation, it turns out that some veterans are replaced by others. You can't build communism in a single club like that. Three-time KHL champion Anton Slepyshev is not so bad to write off in advance. But the general direction the club is following is confusing. Maybe Nikita Gusev will also arrive soon? Slepyshev signed a one-year contract. The striker's salary will be 20 million rubles.

The defense of Avtomobilist, keeping in mind the potential transfer of Ilya Karpukhin, can be considered manned. There are even extra players — you'll have to get rid of some of them. Canadian Cale Clegg, with whom the Yekaterinburg club has signed a two-year contract, is primarily good at cool skating and the ability to support the attack. It's even interesting how head coach Alexei Kudashov will split most of the time between rookie Jordan Gross and Jesse Blacker. So far, it's a million-dollar question. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Clegg's salary will be 55 million rubles.

Shipachev in "Salavat"

Vadim Shipachev should not be treated badly. He is a legend of the KHL. It is clear that his level is declining over the years, but in a certain role, the veteran is still able to bring benefits. In signing him to Salavat Yulaev for one year, the meaning is obvious. Only a great professional can play at a good level before the age of 39.

Shipachev shows by his example what and how others should do. This is very important for any team. There is already someone who can run as part of Salavat, and a veteran will add brains and offensive skills, as well as strengthen the majority. Shipachev's salary will amount to 30 million rubles. He will be able to receive another 5 million as a bonus for a certain number of points scored.

Livo in the "Avant-garde"

So far, Avangard has made the most high-profile signing of the offseason, signing a one-year contract with Joshua Livo. Everyone is well aware of the pros and cons of this striker. It means that Omsk knows what they are doing, since they are meeting Guy Boucher's wishes. The task of the head coach is to make Livo and everyone else feel comfortable. In Ufa and Chelyabinsk, there were problems with this at some points, which does not allow us to consider the transfer of a Canadian as an ideal default.

There is no doubt about his high skill, and he should calmly score his 50+ points in the regular season. Whether he will be able to bring Avangard closer to the title is a completely different story. Livo's salary will be 20 million rubles, he will receive another 50 million as "advertising money", as well as an additional 50 million as a bonus if he gets into the top three scorers of the championship. He had similar conditions at Traktor.

Strengthening the "Amur"

At Amur, the summer began with a reshuffle in the sports block. Nikita Tochitsky has been promoted to General Manager. At the age of 34, he became one of the youngest functionaries in the history of the league. In this case, the age should be looked at without unnecessary suspicion.

There is an understanding in which direction the Khabarovsk club is moving. A decent team is being selected. Tochitsky himself gives the impression of a man who understands what to do and how to do it.

The signing of Kirill Pilipenko is a success for Amur, despite the striker's frankly unsuccessful season. In the last two regular championships, he scored 30 goals each for Severstal. He needs to create the most comfortable conditions for him to be effective. This should be clearly understood in Amur. Pilipenko's salary will amount to a hefty 55 million rubles. There is no other way to lure a good player to the Far East.

Amur also signed a one-year contract with Alexander Dergachev. An experienced center forward is expected not only to give back on the court, but also to behave correctly in the locker room. Last season, the team did not have enough leaders. Dergachev's salary will amount to 38 million rubles. But Alexander Galchenyuk left the club by agreement of the parties. By and large, the striker did not justify the hopes that were placed on him when signing for the Khabarovsk club two years ago. Now he will continue his career at Spartak Moscow.