With the NHL work stoppage official and the entire 2012-13 season in
jeopardy, Bruins goaltender Anton
Khudobin has decided to play overseas while the league’s collective
bargaining agreement is being negotiated.
Khudobin has signed a contract to play with HC Atlant Moscow Oblast of Russia’s KHL, according to New England Hockey Journal.
Khudobin joins a long list of NHL stars that have elected to
join European clubs including last year’s points leader, Evgeni Malkin.
With the reported signing, Khudobin has become the first Bruin to
officially leave for the European ranks, but it is likely that he won’t be the
last. It has been speculated over the last few weeks that David Krejci may leave for his home in the Czech
Republic if an agreement cannot be reached with the NHL. There are currently six players on Boston’s
roster who hail from Europe, and the chance to play at home may be too good of an opportunity to pass up.
The KHL season, which features a 52-game schedule that ends
in February, started on Sept. 4. The 26-year-old goaltender, who has the right to terminate his KHL contract if the
lockout ends, was expected to back up Tuukka
Rask, who has assumed the starting role since the departure of veteran Tim Thomas.
