The New York Rangers and GM Chris Drury already have two star Russian players in the lineup. Why don't they add another? According to recent reports, the team is in the running to sign forward Maxim Shabanov of the Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL.![Maxim Shabanov]()
The New York Rangers have a great relationship with their Russian players. Both Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin are two of their superstar players, and coincidentally, some of their best-paid as well.
If GM Chris Drury could have his way, he'd add another Russian forward to the lineup. One that is speaking with other NHL teams.
That is forward Maxim Shabanov, who last played for the Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL.
According to both Kevin Weekes and Peter Baugh of The Athletic, the New York Rangers are in the running, along with the Utah Mammoth, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Islanders, to sign the forward.
This season in 65 games with the Traktor Chelyabinsk, he scored a total of 23 goals and 67 points.
Shabanov is what some may consider "undersized", at only 5'8", and 156 pounds, yet he's lit up the KHL like he owns it this past season.
According to Dobber Prospects:
A small, shifty player who can feather passes through the seams or shoot the puck through small targets. High upside player who carries some risk
The risk might be worth it, especially if his skills translate to the NHL. While there are some KHL players who turned out to be disappointments, there remain others, including Artemi Panarin, who have made great careers in the league with their play style.
Can GM Chris Drury work his magic to bring him over from Russia?
