Reid Duke, you’ve got company, and it’s in the form of a SKA St. Petersburg’s Vadim Shipachyov. The 30 year old forward was signed to a two year deal worth $4.5M per year.
Vadim is a highly skilled playmaker who has had an impressive career in the Kontinental Hockey League. He has won two KHL championships, has been among the league leaders in scoring the last two seasons and has enjoyed success at the international level for Team Russia. We believe he can be an impact player in the NHL. -George McPhee in Press Release
Shipachyov (pronounced SHIP-ah-shoff) is 6’1″ 190 pounds and tallied 76 points in 50 games, including 26 goals.
Shipachyov has been in the KHL since 2011 and his team has reached the playoffs in each of his seven seasons. His production did not drop in postseason play in Russia at all. In fact, in 107 playoff games, he scored 33 goals and had 97 points.
At the international level, he has played Team Russia on three previous occasions at the IIHF World Championships during the 2014, 2015 and 2016 tournaments. He won a gold medal in 2014, silver in 2015 and bronze in 2016 where he led the entire tournament in scoring and assists with 18 points on six goals and 12 assists. He also played for Russia during the recent 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. -Press Release
According to Eric Engles, the Montreal Canadiens were interested in Shipachyov last season, but a clause in his contract kept him in the KHL.
This is the first major contract the Golden Knights have handed out, and they clearly expect him to be on the ice at T-Mobile in October. For reference, other players making $4.5M per year include T.J. Oshie, Mats Zuccarello, Adam Henrique, Nick Leddy, and Antti Niemi.
EliteProspects.com’s breakdown of Shipachyov say he “isn’t overly efficient in physical battles,” not exactly what coach Gerard Gallant is looking for. He does however fit the McPhee build of a fast and highly skilled player who can score.
Shipachyov is currently with Team Russia for the upcoming World Hockey Championships in France and Germany. Last year, he led the tournament in scoring with six goals and 18 points in 10 games. –Mike Halford, NBCSports.com
Vadim Shipachyov only shoots if he knows it will be a goal
Definition of playmaking center. Generates shots at 4L level but scores at elite pic.twitter.com/ZDQ9O1vCDe— Josh Khalfin (@Josh_Khalfin) May 1, 2017
RJ
I am really excited about this acquisition. It says that McPhee is competing with top teams to get strong talent year one, and that we are not only competing, but we can win.
Ship (are we just going to call him Ship?) played with and has been compared favorably to Artemi Panarin. If that’s the level of talent we are bringing in for our biggest signing yet I am quite pleased.
By the way Ship was the Assistant Captain in St Petersburg this season. The other Assistant was Ilya Kovlchuk and the Captian was Pavel Datsyuk. This guy can play.
Phisig150
He sound a pretty good so why has he never played in the NHL?
Still learning NHL salary cap so is 4.5 million a good deal or high but it’s ok because of the length of contract?
Is this a type of guy that would also be a good mentor for younger players?
James
@Phisig150
Still learning NHL salary cap so is 4.5 million a good deal or high but it’s ok because of the length of contract?
This is a very good risk/reward ratio. Watching the Golden Knights could be far more entertaining with this signing. The length of contracts cause teams cap issues down the road. Most players tend to get worse with age. The league is getting younger and faster.
I would like to know if Vadim Shipachyov has a no-trade clause in his contract… Sounds like he could be more valuable to a contending team
James
@Phisig150
‘He sound a pretty good so why has he never played in the NHL?’
It’s similar to the top professional basketball division of the Spanish basketball league system, there are pretty good players who have never played in the NBA. Money and playing time on the top line & power play are factors. The idea of being buried on the depth chart in North America isn’t very appealing. Most would rather play a prominent role outside North America.
It’s going to be interesting to see how Shipachyov adapts to the physicality of the NHL.
todd little
very nice signing. this guy will center either the first or second line for Vegas next season. well do GMGM
todd little
well done I meant 🙂
Big Faz
Great move, we needed someone who can put the biscuit in the basket, per say. The physical centers will come, this is the Finesse guy that we need, not only does he score but puts up a lot of assists. 2 year contract limits the risk, great move McPhee
Ken Boehlke
Yes! Someone said biscuit in the basket! This site has officially turned a corner, and I’m pumped.