The Vadim Shipachyov saga has taken yet another turn.
Just one day after the Vegas Golden Knights reassigned the Russian forward to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL for the second time this season, Vegas has granted permission to Shipachyov’s representatives to explore a possible trade, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.
This comes just weeks after Golden Knights general manager George McPhee denied reports that Shipachyov was interested in returning to the KHL after being sent down prior to the start of the regular season. Shipachyov’s agent also denied those reports at the time.
McPhee said Shipachyov, along with Shea Theodore and Alex Tuch, were assigned to the Wolves because of the team’s roster situation but that all three would be with the big club in due time. Shipachyov was recalled Oct. 14 after Erik Haula and Jonathan Marchessault were placed on injured reserve.
Shipachyov, however, did not report to Chicago. McPhee said he would stay in Las Vegas until the opportunity came to be called up. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported Shipachyov is supposed to be on a flight to Chicago tonight. McKenzie added the hope for the Golden Knights, and the scenario that makes the most sense, is for Shipachyov to play in Chicago to adjust to the North American game.
However, after playing in just three games with the NHL club, Shipachyov was returned to Chicago on Tuesday in order to make room for Marchessault.
The Knights are off to a historic start as the first franchise in NHL history to win seven of its first eight games in its inaugural season. The Golden Knights are coming off back-to-back wins against the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks and have won four in a row.
That being said, Shipachyov was brought in to be the team’s first-line center, agreeing to a two-year, $9 million contract this past May, which makes this entire situation all the more confusing.
Shipachyov scored one goal in three games with the Knights this season and led Vegas centers in Relative Corsi For.