Roman Lyubimov, a 32-year-old Russian forward who plies his trade with Grenoble and helped the club lift a French Cup title last season, has floated an idea for a new kind of tournament in Russia. He envisions a competition similar to the French Cup, but staged within the Kontinental Hockey League and open to every Russian team. His proposal is simple yet bold: seed the participants, draw a knockout bracket, and crown a national cup alongside the league season. In Lyubimov’s view, a Russian Cup that blends teams from across the KHL would inject additional competitive drama and broaden the appeal of Russian hockey to fans and players alike. It would function as an extra championship, giving clubs another route to silverware and something special to chase during the long winter schedule.
Lyubimov’s comments came on the heels of Grenoble’s French Cup final triumph over Dunkerque Corsaires, a high-scoring affair that Grenoble won 7-4. The forward contributed two assists to the victory, reinforcing his role as a catalyst for his team in key moments. For Grenoble, the victory carried significance beyond the trophy itself, marking the club’s fourth French Cup in its history and underscoring the momentum that helped the squad establish itself as a prominent force in French hockey.
Looking back on his career, Lyubimov has spent significant time in Russia’s top league, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), lining up for storied clubs such as Spartak Moscow, CSKA Moscow, Amur Khabarovsk, Ak Bars Kazan, and Metallurg Magnitogorsk. His path also took him abroad briefly when he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2016, making a stint in the National Hockey League. He returned to Russia after a season, continuing to contribute at a high level before moving to Grenoble in 2023. This blend of experiences across leagues has shaped his perspective on how domestic competition could evolve and what formats might resonate most with players, coaches, and fans.
Throughout his career, Lyubimov has been on the radar of the Russian national team, receiving invitations and call-ups at various stages. His development across different teams and leagues has given him a broad view of Russian hockey’s strengths and opportunities, and that perspective informs his thinking about ways to energize domestic competition while preserving the sport’s core competitive spirit.
In discussing these ideas, Lyubimov occasionally reflects on how the next generations of goalkeepers compare. He has hinted at evaluating different cohorts of netminders across eras, suggesting that changes in style, training, and strategic emphasis can yield meaningful insights for the sport’s evolution. This line of thought underscores a broader theme in his commentary: the need to balance tradition with innovation, ensuring that Russia’s hockey culture remains vibrant and capable of competing at the highest levels on both the domestic and international stages. The conversation continues to attract attention from players and analysts who are watching closely to see whether a Russian Cup in the KHL could become a reality and what impact it would have on player development, fan engagement, and the overall competitive landscape of Russian hockey.
Overall, Lyubimov’s remarks reflect a forward-looking mindset. He sees potential in a knockout-style national cup that unites all KHL teams, parallels the French model, and adds another meaningful milestone within a busy season. Whether such a tournament gains traction remains to be seen, but the idea has already sparked discussions about how to enrich Russia’s hockey ecosystem, celebrate its players, and foster a deeper connection between clubs and their supporters. The dialogue itself signals a sport that is actively exploring new formats while honoring the achievements and traditions that have shaped Russian hockey for decades. The lasting takeaway is a belief that competition can evolve without losing the essence of what makes the game compelling: intensity, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, on both national and international stages.