The Flyers are reportedly one of the top contenders to land another Russian star this offseason.
Multiple reports have linked the Flyers to Maxim Shabanov, starting with a report a few weeks ago from Russian sports outlet MatchTV. Shabanov will be a free agent after his current KHL contract runs out and it was expected that he would make the move to the NHL after this season.
The Flyers aren't the only team interested as the Penguins, Islanders, and Lightning have shown a liking to the undrafted forward. A new report shows the Flyers as the main contender for Shabanov's services as reported by Russian hockey insider Artur Khairullin.
According to Artur Kahiarullin, the main contender for Maxim Shabanov in the NHL is #LetsGoFlyers.
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) January 31, 2025
At the same time, several other teams, mainly from the Eastern Conference, are showing serious interest.
The Flyers may also have a leg up on the competition thanks to Egor Zamula. It was reported that Zamula was asked by the Flyers about Shabanov before the season. Being in the same age group, the two have played with and against each other as they grew up. They were teammates at one point, though it was only for five games with the Traktor Chelyabinsk U16 team back in 2015-16.
Shabanov has excelled for Traktor Chelyabinsk over the last few years. One of the top young forwards in the KHL, Shabanov has seemingly gotten better and better as he ages. He has already broken his career-high in points this season in 11 fewer games. Shabanov has 18 goals and 51 points a season after posting 25 goals and 50 points. He is second in the entire KHL in points, behind only the 31-year-old Josh Leivo. Shabanov is only 24.
Shabanov's 51 points broke Traktor Chelyabinsk's franchise record for most points in a season. And whose record did be break? His own, set the previous season. And let's just say he can do some insane things with the puck.
Look at how KHL player Maxim Shabanov bounces the puck to scoop it up and the speed of his Michigan… it’s becoming automatic
— ᴀʀᴅᴀ Öᴄᴀʟ (@Arda) January 29, 2024
(🎥 @khl_eng)pic.twitter.com/iTpIlGzf52
Me: I've seen everything in hockey, nothing surprises me anymore
— KHL (@khl_eng) December 11, 2024
Max Shabanov: pic.twitter.com/6eKlphfXNs
Shabanov is listed as both a center and a right winger, but he has also played the left side as well. Standing at 5'8" and weighing in at just over 170 pounds, it's likely that Shabanov would stay as a winger in the NHL. He wouldn't solve the Flyers' glaring need for a center, but why wouldn't you want to add even more talent to a young and growing core?
It's going to be a few months before things are sorted out as Shabanov will not be able to leave for North America until June as KHL contracts were extended to May 31. That matches up with Shabanov's player page on the KHL website. But suddenly, the Flyers might be becoming a destination for young Russian talent.