Report: Former Canuck Nikita Tryamkin signs back in Russia after testing NHL free agency

After not getting as much interest as his camp had originally hoped for in NHL free agency, former Vancouver Canucks defenceman Nikita Tryamkin is heading back to the KHL.

Months ago, Tryamkin’s agent Todd Diamond said that he expected “tremendous demand” for his client this offseason as he eyed an NHL return. Tyramkin turned down a contract extension from his KHL club Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg with his sights set firmly on returning to North America next season.

But five days into free agency, it would appear that there wasn’t much demand for Tryamkin among NHL clubs, as Avtomobilist announced that they had re-signed the 6’7 blue liner to a two-year deal that will keep him in Russia until he’s at least 31 years old.

Per Rick Dhaliwal of Donnie and Dhali — The Team, Tryamkin did get offers from NHL teams, but nothing that was worth “uprooting his family” for.

“The last time he signed in Russia, he signed in the spring,” said Dhaliwal. “This time they went to July 1, they couldn’t get the contract, couldn’t get the money they were looking for on a one-year deal…Not enough for him to uproot his family for one season. They just didn’t get the money they were looking for.”

The Canucks drafted Tryamkin in the third round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. After 79 NHL games with the Canucks, Tryamkin chose to return to Russia to play for his home club Automobilist Yekaterinburg in the KHL. Through his 79 NHL games, Tryamkin recorded three goals and eight assists while racking up 74 penalty minutes.

Tryamkin logs big minutes for Avtomobilist but doesn’t produce much offence from the back end. Through 507 career KHL games, Tryamkin has recorded 30 goals and 80 assists.

While Tryamkin’s NHL return will have to be put on hold for at least two years, Canucks fans won’t soon forget the hype that surrounded the 66th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.