Lokomotiv, Avtomobilist expand import squads

Lokomotiv and Avtomobilist sign forwards, Barys and Kunlun Red Star strengthen their goalie brigades and much more. KHL.ru presents the best moves on the international market from last week.Byron FroeseFrom Henderson Silver Knights (AHL) to LokomotivThe Yaroslavl franchise opted to sign a veteran center in Byron Froese, who has 141 games under his belt, with 20 points. The 33-year-old has spent most of the last year in the AHL with the Henderson Silver Knights, totaling 31 (13+18) points in 53 games last term.The Canadian forward looks like an ideal candidate for an Igor Nikitin-lead team, as he can bring physicality and strong two-way play to his new team, without forgetting about his ability on the dots. The Manitoba native has inked a one-year deal in Yaroslavl, with Lokomotiv trying to improve its record after losing to Metallurg in last year’s Gagarin Cup finals.Johan MattssonFrom SKA to BarysWith Barys dissolving Eddie Pasquale’s contract last week, Johan Mattsson was called up to fill the gap in the Kazakh side’s crease as the Swedish netminder is currently the most probable starter for the next season. The 32-year-old played 12 games for SKA last term, but missed a significant part of the season due to an injury. Barys will be the fourth team in Mattsson’s KHL career – the Huddinge, Sweden native has already lined up for Dinamo Riga, Avtomobilist, and SKA.Wade AllisonFrom Milwaukee Admirals to BarysThe Kazakhs, however, didn’t stop with Mattsson. Barys decided to strengthen in the offensive zone by signing Wade Allison after Swedish Pontus Aberg opted for a move to Switzerland. A native of Manitoba, like Byron Froese, Allison played 75 NHL games in his career, all with the Philadelphia Flyers, and spent the 2023-2024 campaign split between the Lehigh Valley Flyers and the Milwaukee Admirals. In Astana, with his combination of size and speed, Allison may form a dynamic duo with the other newly signed, North American player C.J. Smith.Nick MerkleyFrom Dinamo Minsk to AvtomobilistAfter spending his latest two seasons in Minsk, Merkley has decided to embark on a new journey as he inked a two-year deal in Yekaterinburg. The Alberta native had two productive seasons in Belarus, especially his first one, when he hit 20 goals and 40 points in 67 regular season games. Last year, his production was down a bit, with 16 goals and as many helpers, although he added three tallies in six postseason games. Signing Merkley, Avtomobilist is keeping on building on their strong postseason run last term.Kyle KeyserFrom Maine Mariners (ECHL) to Kunlun Red StarThe Dragons have most likely completed their goaltending brigade signing American goalie Kyle Keyser, a silver medalist with Team USA at the 2019 WJC in British Columbia. Kunlun Red Star has under contract American veteran Jeremy Smith and Russian Konstantin Volkov. The 25-years-old Keyser has appeared in over a hundred games for the Boston Bruins’ farm teams in the AHL and the ECHL, most recently protecting the crease for the Maine Mariners, where he played alongside Sibir’s defenseman Fyodor Gordeyev. Keyser has never played at the NHL level, but posted a 29-27-13 record with a 2.83 GAA and a 90.2 save percentage in 73 regular-season AHL outings for the Providence Bruins.Chris WilkieFrom Grizzlys Wolfsburg (DEL) to Kunlun Red StarAfter signing Keyser, the Dragons also added a forward to the mix when they inked Chris Wilkie to a one-year deal. The 28-year-old American forward spent his last two seasons in Germany, first with the Bietigheim Steelers, then with the Grizzlys Wolfsburg, where he potted 21 goals in 50 regular season games. Earlier in his career, Wilkie won a National Championship in 2016 with the University of North Dakota before moving up with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. In that league, he also lined up with the Belleville Senators. Moreover, the Dragons also have announced to re-ink forward Tyler Graovac to a one-year deal. Last term, Graovac had 15 points in 30 games for Kunlun.