During the off-season, Metallurg Magnitogorsk forward Nikita Mikhailis spoke about the club’s summer transfer campaign. He highlighted what he sees as the league’s main signing and weighed the Continental Hockey League against the National Hockey League, offering a candid view on where the newer pieces fit in the competitive landscape. He also hinted at how the new season could unfold for his team and the league as a whole.
“I can spot Yegor Korshkov,” Mikhailis said, emphasizing Korshkov as the league’s top addition. “The KHL is stronger than the NHL in any case.” He noted that Korshkov’s arrival signals the league’s capacity to attract high-profile players and inject pace and skill into the competition, a sign that the KHL remains a premier destination for elite talent in North America’s shadow.
Metallurg Magnitogorsk claimed the Gagarin Cup last season but opened the current campaign with a rough run of results. In recent games, however, the team rediscovered form, delivering a commanding 7-0 victory over CSKA and following it up with a win against Spartak. These performances helped the squad secure a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference, and they presently sit in sixth place in the East with 12 points. The turnaround has been welcomed by the club’s supporters and added urgency for consistency as the season wears on.
The 29-year-old Mikhailis, who has spent his entire pro career in the KHL, has accumulated 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) in 12 games this season and carries a plus-minus rating of zero. His production reflects a veteran presence in Metallurg’s lineup, contributing in both zones and showing leadership as the team navigates a demanding schedule.
Egor Korshkov, who moved from Amur Khabarovsk to Ak Bars Kazan as a free agent, has posted 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists) in 11 games and carries a minus-one rating. Korshkov’s adaptation to a new environment and his ability to contribute offensively have been central to Ak Bars’ plans, while his performance remains under close watch from opponents across the league.
A former owner of the Minnesota franchise has expressed a plan to build a team around Kirill Kaprizov, signaling continued interest in capitalizing on the star’s appeal and impact. This development has fed discussions about roster construction and the evolving landscape of talent across the league, as teams seek to blend proven scorers with rising stars to maximize competitive potential.