NHL teams showing interest in KHL standout Andrei Kuzmenko

Back in 2018, Andrei Kuzmenko signed a four-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, effectively ending any notion that he would be signing in the NHL. That contract expires at the end of this season, and it appears interest in North America is ramping up as Kuzmenko is showing everyone what he's capable of.

At the time of writing this article, Kuzmenko has 31 points (11G, 20A) in 28 games this season. That puts him fourth in the league in terms of points, and he is the second highest scoring Russian behind only Vadim Shipachev, who leads the KHL with 45 points in 31 games.

On a recent edition of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman said there is a ton of interest from NHL teams in Kuzmenko for next season. Kuzmenko has stated himself that he eventually wants to try his hand at the NHL level, and next season seems like the best time do to it.

Kuzmenko will be 26 in February, just entering his prime years as a hockey player. He was never drafted and is considered a bit of a late bloomer. Right now, he's just six away from setting a new career high in points in the KHL. Last season, he had 37 (18G, 19A) in 57 games.