Flames defenceman Nikita Okhotiuk reportedly signs in Russia

Nikita Okhotiuk isn't planning to stick around the Saddledome for next season. After spending the final six weeks of the 2023-24 campaign with the Calgary Flames, the rugged rearguard is reportedly heading home to Russia. According to TSN's Darren Dreger, Okhotiuk is signing a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL. The 23-year-old Okhotiuk is a restricted free agent this summer, and the Flames can retain his NHL rights by extending a qualifying offer.