Alex Khokhlachev Planning To Leave Bruins, Return To Russia This Offseason

Alex Khokhlachev’s representation has confirmed the 22-year-old forward’s time with the Boston Bruins is all but over.

Khokhlachev’s agent, Alexei Dementiev, told CBS Boston’s Matt Kalman his client plans to leave the Bruins this offseason and sign with SKA St. Petersburgh of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.

“It looks like that’s the only option,” Dementiev said. “… Alexander did not really get a chance for all the years that he signed a deal, for four years, the deals he signed with Boston, didn’t really get a chance to play in the National Hockey League, so he won’t stay in the organization.”

Khokhlachev was an American Hockey League standout in each of the last three seasons, but he’s appeared in just nine games at the NHL level and has yet to record his first NHL point. He appeared in five games for the Bruins this season, tallying four total shots on goal and posting a minus-2 rating.

Dementiev said Khokhlachev’s KHL deal has not been finalized, and the Bruins still could choose to trade him before he becomes a restricted free agent July 1.

“We had exit meetings with him. He still wants to play in the National Hockey League. He’s made it pretty clear that he doesn’t think his path is here,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said, via CBS Boston. “I told him I would explore things as a possible opportunity elsewhere for him. I think ideally his first choice is to play (in the NHL). He believes he should be either playing in the NHL or playing in the KHL. So one of those two things will happen. A lot of it’s up to him.

“I told him flat-out I didn’t think he should be closing his door on the National Hockey League, either with us or with any other team.”

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images