Top prospect Sasha Chmeleveski eyeing NHL return: Target for Allvin?

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Cooper Godin
March 31, 2024 (1:16 PM)

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Back in January, it was reported by ESPN's Kevin Weekes that the San Jose Sharks were receiving interest in restricted free agent forward Sasha Chmelevski.

One of the teams that showed interest at the time, according to Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK TV is the Vancouver Canucks. Chmelevski has sort of a connection to the Canucks, as his agent Dan Milstein has several clients on the NHL roster and within the organization.

As the trade deadline came and went, the Sharks decided to hold onto Chmelevski's rights, with his season in the KHL coming to a close in recent weeks, the 24-year-old is reportedly eyeing a return to North America.

According to Hockey News Hub, Chmelevski is leaning towards returning to the National Hockey League next season, but nothing is concrete just yet. They added that Chmelevski wants to keep a European assignment clause in his next contract incase the Sharks, or another team, decide to send him to the American Hockey League.

"Sounds like #Salavat Alexander Chmelevski is leaning towards a return to the NHL. His rights belong to #SJSharks" Hockey News Hub on X said in a post.

They added, "Chmelevski wants the European clause in his contract that he can return to KHL if sent to AHL.

Nothing concrete yet.
Will keep 👀 on situation."

Chmelevski, 24, has spent the last two seasons with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the Kontinental Hockey League. In the summer of 2022, his entry-level contract ended and he became a restricted free agent, but decided to head over to the KHL for a better opportunity and more playing time. In order to retain his rights, the Sharks issued him a qualifying offer.

Going to the KHL has done wonders for Chmelevski's development and if the Sharks do decide to trade his rights between now and the start of next season, there's no doubt that several teams will be lining up for a chance to acquire him.

In 67 games this season, the Huntington Beach, California native put up 56 points (27 goals, 29 assists), 38 penalty minutes and was a plus-ten. He went on to add seven points in six games during the Gagarin Cup Playoffs, but his team ended up losing in the first round to Canucks prospect Vitali Kravtsov and Traktor Chelyabinsk.

Should the Canucks pursue a trade for Sasha Chmelevski this summer? Let us know what you think in the poll below!