Blackhawks goalie prospect Ivan Nalimov has agreed to a tryout contract with Avangard Omsk in the KHL, reports Aivis Kalnins.
Omsk will be the fifth KHL team Nalimov will suit up for. Nalimov has played for Admiral Vladivostok (2014-17), Sibir Novosibirisk (2016-17), Salavat Yulaev Ufa and Kunlun Red Star (2018) in the KHL.
Bob Hartley, who won the Stanley Cup in 2001 with the Avalanche, is Omsk’s head coach. Former Blackhawk and two-time Cup winner Kris Versteeg also plays for Avangard. He has three goals and two assists in 11 games.
The 24-year-old Nalimov hasn’t played in a KHL game since Oct. 3 after breaking his hand. He holds a 2.83 goals-against average and .917 save percentage in four games with Kunlun this season.
Nalimov and Kunlun mutually agreed to terminate his contract upon his request earlier this month. His agent, Shumi Babev, told The Athletic that his client found it difficult to live in China.
In August, Babaev also told The Athletic that Nalimov would play one more season in the KHL before coming to the NHL. Chicago drafted Nalimov in the sixth round in 2014.