HERSHEY, PA – Stan Galiev, the sometimes dynamic Russian whose hockey career in North America had more twists and turns than an old country road, just got sucker punched again – this time by the KHL.


Galiev, as we have often noted, struggled mightily to make it to the NHL and once he did, there was precious little ice time. As his contract with the Capitals expired, word came that he was planning to return home to the KHL (this after rumors that he asked to be traded before the trade deadline failed to lead to him landing with a different club). Last week, it was reported that he had plenty of KHL offers, but it appears that life has once again found a way to best Galiev.

Ex #Caps player Stan Galiev, who signed with Dynamo Moscow, in limbo. His contract is no longer valid, but he is forbidden to change teams

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) July 5, 2017

On Tuesday (ironically, our Independence Day), the KHL officially took action against Dynamo Moscow since the team had not been meeting its financial obligations to the players. In all, 42 players, who had been part of the team, were told they were unrestricted free agents.

42 Dynamo Moscow players became unrestricted free agents: https://t.co/HhjptLZ0fe pic.twitter.com/4rGp1Z95qJ

— KHL (@khl_eng) July 5, 2017

It is unclear why Galiev would sign with Dynamo – certainly the debt problem was well-known. Oddly, the move that was supposed to salvage his career has left him “homeless” once again.

Galiev’s deal is the the “old” Dynamo legal entity. He can’t be paid, can’t practice with any other teams, can’t leave for the NHL. Limbo.

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) July 5, 2017

We will continue to monitor this developing situation closely and report any new information as it becomes available. For now, it appears as though Galiev is once again in limbo. If we’ve learned anything from his career to date it is that he’s probably getting pretty used to these things.

UPDATE – 7/5/2017 4:15 PM EST

As strange as it may seem, the situation keeps getting a bit odder. Galiev apparently does not have an agreement with Dynamo (before or after the KHL stepped in), but they still own the rights to him from before he began playing in North America.

A clarification on the Galiev (ex-#Caps) situation. He doesn’t have a deal with Dynamo. The club owns his rights, though. Still in limbo.

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) July 5, 2017

At this point, Galiev has not signed with a team in the KHL and is unable to do so at this time. It is unclear why his rights with the “Old Dynamo” entity did not transfer or get cancelled. Galiev was one of a handful of players whose situation was not addressed by the KHL Disciplinary Committee.

Yes, they have been holding his KHL rights since he came to NA. He can’t sign with another KHL team until this gets resolved.

— Slava Malamud (@SlavaMalamud) July 5, 2017

By Julie Beidler
Follow @juliebeidler