The Philadelphia Flyers’ pursuit of Russian winger Maxim Shabanov has been a subject of intense speculation over the past week, but despite early reports suggesting a completed deal, the young KHL star remains unsigned.
Shabanov, a standout for Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL, drew attention from NHL franchises after recording an impressive 67 points in 65 games last season and finishing as a finalist for the league’s MVP honor, the KHL Golden Stick.
The Flyers have emerged as a leading contender for his services, fueled by media reports and online indicators such as Flyers prospects Matvei Michkov and Egor Zamula following him on Instagram.
However, excitement about a finalized contract proved premature. Russian outlet RG Media, speaking with Shabanov’s agent Alexander Chernykh, clarified that no deal has been signed and negotiations are ongoing.
“We’re still in the process of talking with teams,” Chernykh confirmed. “Right now, we’re waiting for the Draft… We want to see how the league landscape looks. It’s not a fast process.”
Chernykh pointed to a similar drawn-out negotiation he handled for Maxim Tsyplakov, who eventually signed with the New York Islanders. The agent expects a comparable approach with Shabanov, noting that the market remains fluid with the NHL Draft (June 27–28) and free agency (opening July 1) likely to reshape roster needs across the league.
For the Flyers, timing could be everything. Their draft strategy could impact their interest in Shabanov, especially if they select a top winger such as Porter Martone with their sixth overall pick.
With young talents like Michkov, Owen Tippett, and Travis Konecny already in the fold, Shabanov could find himself battling for a middle-six role in Philadelphia — assuming he views himself as more than a depth option at the NHL level.
This uncertainty may be prolonging negotiations. While some suspect a wide range of teams are competing for Shabanov, others suggest teams may be waiting to see if other wingers become unavailable before offering the Russian forward a more prominent opportunity.
With the market still shifting, Shabanov’s NHL future — and whether it includes a Flyers jersey — remains unresolved and could extend beyond the free agency window into mid-summer.
