Blackhawks “prospect” Max Shalunov and CSKA Moscow defeated SKA St. Petersburg 3-1 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Final on Tuesday to advance to the KHL’s Gagarin Cup Final.
Shalunov, 26, has three goals and six assists in 16 playoff games while playing on the third line for CSKA Moscow. The Blackhawks drafted Shalunov in the fourth round in the 2011 NHL draft, and he has yet to sign with the Blackhawks.
CSKA Moscow will play Avangard Omsk in the Cup Final. Blackhawks goalie prospect Ivan Nalimov serves as Avangard Omsk’s backup. Avangard Omsk also has former Blackhawks defenseman Cody Franson and forward Viktor Stalberg and former prospect Ville Pokka. CSKA Moscow has their own former Blackhawks prospects in defenseman Klas Dahlbeck and goalie Lars Johansson.
CSKA Moscow, who were the KHL regular-season champions for the fourth time in the last five seasons, have fallen in two of the last three finals. Avangard Omsk and CSKA Moscow have never won the Gagarin Cup.