Star forward chooses KHL over NHL

For many months it was believed that the National Hockey League could land a star forward, after quite a chaotic incident took place in Russia. Danis Zaripov, a three-time world champion who played for Russia at the 2010 Olympics was suspended in July after one of his samples was found to contain banned stimulants, but could still play for the NHL.

And fans believed he would sign with one NHL club, as the New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues made it an offer, and while the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks were said to be interested in landing him. 

Earlier this week, the IIHF reached a settlement agreement with Zaripov after he appealed the ban and has cut his suspension to six months from two years after new evidence came to light. Given that the suspension dates back to May 23, the IIHF’s decision makes Zaripov eligible to play as of Thursday.

And Zaripov did not waste time. On Thursday, he signed a two-year contract with AkBars in the KHL. 

So now NHL fans need to forget about the star forward coming to the NHL with him signing with his former club. 

He would have put on quite a show in American, but once again, Russian players appear more interested in playing at home.