Babchuk to stay in KHL

Canes general manager Jim Rutherford has said defenseman Anton Babchuk doesn't seem to understand the NHL's free agency system. Apparently not. Babchuk has signed a one-year contract for $1.5 million with Avangard Omsk of the KHL according to a media report out of Russia. Word has it Babchuk, a restricted free agent with no arbitration rights, was offered the same deal by the Canes after being made an initial qualifying offer of one year at $1 million. So Babchuk is in Russia. The Canes still retain his rights. Babchuk, who switched agents just before deciding to sign with Omsk, should be playing in the NHL this year — with the Canes or some NHL team.