According to Sports Express, Claude Giroux is in negotiations with the team Avangard Omsk of the KHL. Slava Malamud of Sports Express had previously reported that Evgeni Malkin’s Russian agent stated he was representing Giroux in any negotiations with the KHL.
It’s a little bit surprising that Giroux may be close to joining the KHL after expressing reservations in the past. Concerns over safety and guaranteed contracts, along with the hefty insurance rates for some NHLers, are factors that have to be considered if the KHL is to be a legitimate option.
Avangard currently features a few former NHLers, including Alexander Frolov and Martin Skoula. They also have one of the league’s better goaltenders in Karri Ramo, formerly of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Giroux may have been persuaded by his former linemate Jaromir Jagr, who left Omsk to join the Philadelphia Flyers last season. If he does sign a contract, he will be joining teammates Ilya Brzygalov and Ruslan Fedotenko, who have already begun playing in the KHL.
For the latest Flyers news and updates, you can follow me on twitter (@JoshJanet).
tears
I hope ESPN3 carry some KHL hockey games this year