The NHL is adding another KHL stud, as Andrei Kuzmenko announced on his Instagram that he's signing with the Canucks. The Ru sian forward was the biggest free agent name not currently playing in the NHL. A number of other teams were reportedly interested in Kuzmenko, including the , but ultimately the Canucks won the sweepstakes. After spending the entirety of his career in Ru sia, Kuzmenko elected to test the free agent waters this summer. He also picked the brains of NHL front offices in 2018, but elected to Joe Thornton Jersey stay in the KHL. Now, he joins a list of KHLers-turned-NHLers as he signs with the Canucks. The 26-year-old joins a Vancouver team that underwhelmed this season, finishing with a record of 40-30-12, ending in fifth in the Pacific Division. MORE: Here is what you need to know about Kuzmenko. Andrei Kuzmenko contract details The contract details have yet to be worked out, per Kuzmenko's agent Dan Milstein. Confirming Andrey Kuzmenkos intent to sign with Vancouver Canucks. Contract details to be worked out soon. ! Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) Early reports are that it will be a for Kuzmenko. According to the , he will eligible to sign a deal on July 13. Andrei Kuzmenko background Kuzmenko was born inYakutsk, playing his youth hockey withBelye Medvedi Moskva. He joined the MHL, Ru sia's top junior league, in 2012, Craig Janney Jersey spending two seasons with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva before getting a crack in the KHL with CKA Moscow. As a late bloomer, Kuzmenko never received serious interest from NHL teams when it came to the draft. As a result, he carved out his career in his home country. After bouncing between the MHL, KHL and VHL, the lower-tier profe sional league in Ru sia, Kuzmenko finally solidified a spot in the KHL in 2018-19 with SKA St. Petersburg. In 209 career games with the club, the talented winger recorded 64 goals and 90 a sists, totaling 154 points. During the entirety of his KHL career, which spanned parts of eight seasons, Kuzmenko skated in 315 contests, recording 200 points. Andrei Kuzmenko scouting report Kuzmenko's tool box is Ted Green Jersey highlighted by his speed and skill. He has an elite ability to dance through defenders while maintaining control of the puck. Elusive skater, slick hands and elite playmaking. We've seen many failed Kuzmenko-like attempts to transition over to the NHL. Oh well. At the cheap cost of an Ken Hodge Jersey ELC, take this *upside* all day. Dave Hall (@hall1289) He also has an above-average shot, which helps pair with his speed and hands. One of the things that Kuzmenko was looking for when choosing a team was an opportunity to play in the top-six. Given his playmaking ability, the Canucks certainly have some options that he can be paired with, including elite centerman Elias Petter son or up-and-coming fellow Ru sian Vasily Podkolzin. KHL stars are hard to get a read on. Artemi Panarin broke out to be a star in the NHL after a succe sful upbringing in Ru sia's profe sional league. But then there are others like Vadim Shipachyov, who played just three games in the NHL before heading back to his home country. He won't produce nearly as close to the level as Milan Lucic Jersey Panarin, but he should stick it out and find a role in the middle-six in Vancouver. Andrei Kuzmenko 2021-22 KHL stats The 2021-22 campaign was Kuzmenko's fourth with SKA St. Petersburg. He had a breakout year with the club, recording new career highs in goals (20), a sists (33) and points (53). He led his team in points and a sists, while finishing second in goals. The Ru sian also added 14 points in 16 playoff games with SKA St. Petersburg. The team made it to the conference finals before falling to CSKA Moscow, the eventual league champion.