In a post on X shared on Sunday morning, insider Darren Dreger reported that Nikita Okhotyuk, currently under contract with the Calgary Flames until July 1st, has signed a two-year deal with CSKA in the KHL.
This situation is much like the one of Philadelphia Flyers' goalie Ivan Fedotov, who played a season in the KHL despite having a contract with the Flyers. Fedotov was suspended for three years on the international level by the IIHF, which may set a precedent for Okhotyuk's case.
Nikita Okhotyuk was drafted 61st overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2019. Since then, he has played mostly in the AHL but also participated in 67 NHL games for the Devils, San Jose Sharks, and Calgary Flames.