Varlamov Receiving Interest From KHL

Semyon Varlamov In Talks With Handful Of KHL Teams

Yesterday Dmitry Chesnokov, who is well known for his information on Russian players, tweeted this bombshell about Caps goaltender Semyon Varlamov...

dchesnokov Dmitry Chesnokov 

#Caps Semyon Varlamov's Russian Agent Vyacheslav Makhrensky states that Varlamov (RFA this summer) is considering offers from the #KHL.

The twenty-two year old, Semyon Varlamov was a 1st round draft pick in the 2006 draft and has been highly touted during his career with the Capitals. His emergence during the 2008-2009 playoffs made him an instant fan favorite, but with so many young goalies in Washington right now he seems to be overshadowed at times. This season he has put up some impressive stats with a 2.27 GAA and a 0.923 Save %. His entry level contract is up at the end of the season and he is set to become a RFA. According to Dmitry Chesnokov, Varlamov's Russian agent said "a few elite KHL clubs are interested in Semyon" and that Varlamov "is considering the possibility". Of coarse this is far from official but its interesting to say the least. Although he is a Restricted Free Agent (RFA) he is allowed to sign with a Russian team without said team paying any compensation ($) to the Capitals, unlike what would happen if he signed an offer sheet with another NHL franchise in which case the Capitals would receive compensation (draft picks). Although the Capitals won't get anything in return if Varlamov signs in Russia, they will retain his rights which means if he comes back to the NHL they will be the only team he would be able to sign to, unless they trade his rights. Although I'm still skeptical that Varlamov ends up in Russia, Dmitry Chesnokov's discussion with his agent (“Yesterday I spoke with Semyon on the phone and he said ‘Let’s try this offseason to consider offers from Russian clubs.’ I would like to mention right away that the injuries, which some media mentioned, have nothing to do with it. Semyon will play against Montreal.”) definitely leaves me on the edge because from that statement, it seems as though its Varlamov who is initiating the talks with KHL clubs, not the other way around. This is definitely something to keep an eye on heading into the off-season.