It’s official this time: Kamenev signs with KHL team

EDMONTON, ALBERTA – Vladislav Kamenev is officially an ex-Av now.

Kamenev has signed a contract with SKA Saint Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League, Colorado Hockey Now has learned. Mark Gandler, Kamenev’s agent, told CHN the contract is a two-year deal.

Kamenev, 24, played 38 games for the Avalanche this season, scoring one goal. He participated with the Avs in post-pause training camp in July, but did not travel with the Avs to Edmonton for the playoffs. It was later revealed by Colorado Hockey Now that Kamenev tested positive for the coronavirus, and Gandler said that was a big factor in him not going to Edmonton. Gandler said the Avalanche didn’t think he was medically ready to stay potentially two months in the bubble, given his previous diagnosis.

It just has never really worked out for Kamenev with the Avs, after coming over from the Nashville Predators in the Matt Duchene blockbuster. His very first game with the Avs, in 2017, he suffered a broken wrist after taking a big hit from Washington’s Brooks Orpik. He only played three games for Colorado in the 2017-18 season, and only 23 games the next season, partially because of a shoulder injury. He was given more playing time this season than any previous one with the Avs, but scoring production remained an issue.

As a natural centerman, the future doesn’t look good for Kamenev, with so many other established centers on the roster and with college phenom Alex Newhook in the pipeline. He’s got talent, but he just wasn’t been able to establish a foothold with the Avs.

Kamenev is expected to play this coming weekend for SKA.