Report: Alexei Bereglazov is heading back to the KHL
The Rangers lose another prospect. Best of luck back in Russia, Bear Glaze.
It looks like the Rangers are going to lose Alexei Bereglazov. The 23-year-old defenseman failed to make the Rangers roster out of training camp and will be heading back to Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL. The reason he’s able to leave is because of the European Assignment Clause in his contract.
Ilya Vorobyov told @Boogaard_2 Alexei Bereglazov is going to go back to Magnitogorsk #NYRangers
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) November 6, 2017
The concerns about the big Russian’s ability to adapt to the North American ice surface only increased after the Traverse City Prospect Tournament and the Rangers 2017 preseason. But he was recently showing signs of improvement in Hartford. In 13 games with the Wolf Pack Bereglazov had one goal, three assists and 14 PIM.
With every passing game in Hartford. Alexei Bereglazov looks more and more like the player NYR thought they were getting.
— Adam Herman (@AdamZHerman) November 5, 2017
Bereglazov’s decision to return to Russia may not impact the Rangers roster at the moment, but it does rob the Wolf Pack of some defensive depth and take an interesting “prospect” out of the system. It’s unlikely he will return to the Rangers after failing to crack the team this year.
The Rangers may choose to place Bereglazov on waivers. There’s also an off chance that he could choose to “retire” from the NHL like Vadim Shipachyov and Kevin Klein, but until then his contract will remain on the books. He’s signed through the 2018-19 season and will be an RFA when that contract expires.
