Former NHLers Nikolay Kulemin, Corban Knight re-sign in KHL

If you were wondering if former Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders forward Nikolay Kulemin would ever entertain a return to the NHL, you may have received your answer Friday. Kulemin signed a new two-year contract with Magnitogorsk, which will take him through his age-35 season.

Last playing in the NHL during the 2017-18 season, Kulemin’s career in North America included a 30-goal season as a member of the Maple Leafs. The two-way forward was never a star but did pile up 274 points in 669 NHL games.

Back in Russia playing for his hometown team, Kulemin has rediscovered his goal-scoring touch, tallying 28 over the last two seasons.

He was one of many players who signed new contracts in the KHL Friday, the first day of free agency. Another name that will be familiar to NHL fans is Corban Knight, who signed a two-year deal with Avangard. Knight scored 40 points in his first season in the KHL after bouncing between the AHL and NHL for years. The 29-year-old played 23 games for the Philadelphia Flyers in 2018-19 but took his talents overseas, where he has already found more success.