Controversial former NHL player signs with Russian team

Galchenyuk originally signed a one-year deal to return to the Arizona Coyotes back in July. But two weeks later, his contract was terminated after a run-in with city police in which he allegedly threatened to kill officers, targeting one with a racial slur.

Earlier this week, five charges against Galchenyuk were dismissed, but he was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He was credited one day for time served and will be cut down by a further 27 once he completes an alcohol recovery program, as well as going a full year without consuming or possessing alcohol. Two days of jail time will be left.

St. Petersburg is home to a host of players with NHL ties, including Philadelphia Flyers prospect Matvei Michkov. The team also has a handful of former NHLers, including Brendan Leipsic and Valentin Zykov. SKA has lost in the KHL’s conference final five times in a row, last winning the 2017 KHL title.

Galchenyuk spent most of 2022-23 in the AHL, recording 42 points in 42 games with the Colorado Eagles. He had an 11-game run with the Avalanche, failing to register a point. Galchenyuk’s best season saw him put up 30 goals and 56 points in 2015-16 while with the Canadiens.

Drafted No. 3 overall by the Habs in 2012, Galchenyuk has 146 goals and 354 points in 654 games between Montreal, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Ottawa, Toronto and Colorado. This will be his first trip to play in the KHL, which is set to play a preseason game against Severstal on Saturday.