Sasha Chmelevski signs one-year contract in KHL; Sharks retain his rights

Chmelevski signs with Russian team, but Sharks retain rights originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

• Editor's note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California's Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.

That’s one way to cull the field.

Sasha Chmelevski has signed a one-year contract with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL, according to his agent Dan Milstein.

The San Jose Sharks will retain the 23-year-old forward’s rights after the 2022-23 season.

Milstein told San Jose Hockey Now that RFA Chmelevski passed on San Jose’s qualifying offer.

“We talked to his agent and told him our stance on things with him,” Sharks GM Mike Grier said. “He and his agent thought it would be best for him to go play in Europe. I have to do what I feel is best for the organization, on the other side of it, the agent is trying to do what he thinks is best for his clients. At the end of the day, hopefully it works out for Sasha, but this is the path he’s chosen to go down right now.”

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