Controversial free agent gets closer to NHL

He may be a controversial player, but National Hockey League teams are interested nonetheless. 

Russian forward Danis Zaripov keeps working out to get ready for the upcoming season in the NHL, and his agent Dan Milstein posted on Twitter a video of his client, and mentioned that they were weighing options. 

It was confirmed by TSN insider Darren Dreger, later. 

The Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly trying to make a move for Zaripov.

However the controversy around Zaripov, which stems from the fact that he has received a two-year suspension from the International Ice Hockey Federation after a failed drug test reveal he had taken performance enhancing drugs, might rebuff some teams. 

Despite that ban, the NHL has made it clear that they will welcome Zaripov should he sign with an NHL team, and it appears the Blackhawks are hoping they will be that team.

The Blackhawks are interested, and Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin said he would love to have Zaripov with him in the lineup. 

Let's see where he lands!