The new season of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) starts in a month and a half, but Kazan’s “Ak Bars” has not significantly strengthened its roster. Here’s a look at the players the club has shown interest in.

In early July, it was reported that Kazan signed two foreign players—27-year-old Canadian forward Brandon Biro and 28-year-old defenseman Wyatt Kalynuk. Both players’ contracts will run until the end of the 2025/26 season. The following day, Kazan announced the return of forward Mikhail Fisenko.

Nearly three weeks have passed since then, but “Ak Bars” has not finalized any new player transfers, despite numerous rumors.

For instance, there were reports of Kazan’s interest in Minsk “Dynamo” goaltender Vasily Demchenko. According to sources, the club considered him after the departure of Amir Miftakhov and amid the recovery of their first-choice goaltender, Timur Bilyalov, from surgery.

However, no further updates on a potential transfer have emerged—Demchenko remains with “Dynamo.” Last season, the goaltender played 46 games in the KHL regular season, averaging a 92.6% save rate with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.06. In the Gagarin Cup playoffs, he allowed 23 goals in 10 games with a GAA of 2.29.

Recently, Kazan defenseman Nikita Lyamkin stated that “Ak Bars” has young goaltenders capable of playing in the main lineup, at least temporarily. He specifically praised Maxim Arefyev, who conceded 3 goals on 67 shots in 3 KHL regular-season games in the 24/25 season.

Additionally, it was reported that “Ak Bars” showed interest in forward Sheldon Rempal, who played for Ufa’s “Salavat Yulaev” last season. In 87 regular-season and playoff games, the forward scored 39 goals and made 43 assists with a +11 rating.

Other clubs, including Magnitogorsk “Metallurg,” Moscow “Dynamo,” CSKA, and Chelyabinsk “Traktor,” were also interested in Rempal. The latter reportedly offered him a salary of 150 million rubles per year. CSKA withdrew from the race due to high demands, and Rempal ultimately signed with the NHL’s “Washington Capitals.”

Simultaneously, there were reports that former “Traktor” forward Vitaly Kravtsov wanted to join “Ak Bars.” Sources claimed he did not want to work with head coach Benoit Groulx, leading to his contract not being renewed. Media also suggested he might move to the NHL, where his rights are held by “Vancouver.”

Reports indicated that Kravtsov had multiple phone calls with “Ak Bars” head coach Anvar Gatiyatulin this summer, expressing his desire to join Kazan. Meanwhile, “Traktor” reportedly offered him a salary of 65 million rubles per year.

However, the agency Winners denied that Kravtsov had negotiations with “Ak Bars” or spoke with Gatiyatulin, calling the information a “provocation” amid talks with “Traktor.” A journalist claimed that the Chelyabinsk club did not make a contract offer to Kravtsov.

Last KHL season, the forward scored 33 goals and made 32 assists in 85 regular-season and playoff games, finishing with a +31 rating in the regular season.

Reports suggested that “Ak Bars” and CSKA were the top contenders for forward Daniel Sprong, who could become one of the KHL’s top 20 highest-paid players. Last season, Sprong played for three NHL teams—”Vancouver,” “Seattle,” and “New Jersey”—totaling 388 games, 88 goals, and 81 assists in his NHL career.

Later, there were reports of “Ak Bars” showing interest in forward Ivan Chekhovich, who played for Podolsk’s “Vityaz” last season, scoring 12 goals and making 24 assists in 47 games.

According to

Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)

The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is a professional ice hockey league founded in 2008, serving as the top competition in Eurasia. It emerged after the dissolution of the Russian Superleague and expanded to include teams from multiple countries, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China. Known for its high level of play, the KHL crowns its champion with the Gagarin Cup, named after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

Ak Bars

“Ak Bars” (also spelled “Ak Bars” or “AkBars”) commonly refers to the **Ak Bars Palace** in Kazan, Russia, a prominent cultural and sports complex. Historically, it is linked to the **Ak Bars Corporation**, a major Tatarstan holding company, and is associated with the **Ak Bars Kazan** ice hockey team, one of Russia’s most successful clubs. The name “Ak Bars” (White Leopard) symbolizes Tatarstan’s heritage, reflecting strength and pride in the region’s history.

Dynamo

“Dynamo” typically refers to the **Dynamo Moscow Sports Club**, one of Russia’s oldest and most famous sports societies, founded in 1923. Originally created as a sports organization for the Soviet security agencies, it became renowned for its football (soccer) team, which was a dominant force in Soviet and later Russian leagues. The name “Dynamo” (meaning “dynamic” or “power”) reflects its association with energy and strength, and the club remains a significant part of Russian sports culture today.

(If you meant a different “Dynamo,” such as a stadium or cultural site, please specify!)

Gagarin Cup

The **Gagarin Cup** is the championship trophy awarded annually to the winner of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the premier professional hockey league in Eurasia. Named in honor of **Yuri Gagarin**, the first human in space, the cup was first awarded in 2009 to commemorate both his legacy and the league’s inaugural season. It symbolizes excellence in hockey and is considered one of the most prestigious trophies in international ice hockey.

Salavat Yulaev

Salavat Yulaev is a cultural and historical figure in Russia, revered as a Bashkir national hero who led a rebellion against Tsarist rule in the 18th century. Today, his name is honored in the Republic of Bashkortostan, notably through the Salavat Yulaev Monument in Ufa, one of the largest equestrian statues in Europe. The Salavat Yulaev Award is also given for achievements in literature, art, and performance, preserving his legacy as a symbol of freedom and resistance.

Metallurg

“Metallurg” typically refers to industrial sites or sports clubs associated with metallurgy, but one notable example is the Metallurg Stadium in Russia, often linked to Metallurg Magnitogorsk, a prominent steel-producing city. The city and its cultural sites are deeply tied to the Soviet industrialization of the 1930s, when Magnitogorsk was developed as a key center for steel production. Today, places like the Metallurg Stadium reflect the city’s industrial heritage and its ongoing connection to metallurgy and sports, particularly ice hockey.

If referring to a different “Metallurg,” please specify the location for a more accurate summary.

CSKA

CSKA (Central Sports Club of the Army) is a major Russian sports club founded in 1911, originally linked to the Soviet Army. Based in Moscow, it is renowned for its successful football, basketball, and ice hockey teams, with a history of domestic and international achievements. The club symbolizes military sports traditions and remains one of Russia’s most prominent athletic organizations.

Traktor

“Traktor” likely refers to the Traktor Stadium (also known as Tractor Stadium) in Chelyabinsk, Russia, home to the Traktor Chelyabinsk ice hockey team. Established in 1967, the stadium is a key sports venue in the Ural region and reflects the city’s strong hockey culture. The team itself, founded in 1947, has a storied history in Soviet and Russian hockey leagues, contributing to Chelyabinsk’s identity as an industrial and sporting hub.

(If you meant a different “Traktor,” please provide additional context!)