Report: Two teams interested in disgraced KHLer

Earlier this offseason 36-year-old Russian forward Danis Zaripov was issued a two-year suspension from the IIHF and banished from the KHL due to a doping violation. Zaripov was shocked by the news and swore that he’d appeal the decision. 

With the appeal now underway, Zaripov is assessing his options in the NHL and, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, it’s expected that at least two NHL clubs will have interest in his services. Check out this juicy rumor from Friedman’s latest report:

The KHL club Ak Bars Kazan voided Zaripov’s deal, which means he has no contractual commitments. There will be some NHL interest, with the Vegas Golden Knights and New York Rangers among those expected to pursue.

Zaripov, who has never played in North America outside of a lone season of junior hockey in the WHL, scored 16 goals and 45 points in 56 games last season for Magnitogorsk Metallurg and has helped the team to two Gagarin Cup championships in the past four seasons.