Dynamo completes international squad, Barys loads up. Top transfers

Dynamo Moscow and Barys sign big with Maxime Comtois and Will Butcher, Torpedo and Kunlun Red Star grab other pieces to fill their puzzle. KHL.ru presents the best transfers from the last week as the 2024-2025 campaign approaches.Maxime ComtoisFrom Chicago Wolves to Dynamo MoscowThe Blue-and-Whites have possibly completed the top signing of this offseason inking former WC gold and silver medalist Maxime Comtois. The Quebecoise forward has more than 200 NHL games under his belt, being most recently with the Carolina Hurricanes. Comtois, 25, has committed to a one-year deal with the Muscovites, and has cited his friend Eric O’Dell as one of the top reasons why he decided to join Dynamo. The Blue-and-Whites seem to have a strong forward squad for the 2024-2025 upcoming season, and they’re still waiting for a reply from Nikita Gusev, currently a free agent after a record-breaking campaign. Signing Comtois, Dynamo may have completed the top signing of the offseason.Hunter MiskaFrom Straubing Tigers (DEL) to Dynamo MoscowSigning the American goalie, the Blue-and-Whites completed their five-men international contingent (with him, Comtois, O’Dell, Cedric Paquette, and Jordan Weal). Miska 29, spent his latest couple of seasons in Germany, reaching the playoffs both times with the Straubing Tigers. Before his German stint, he tried to break into the NHL, with six appearances with the Colorado Avalanche and the Arizona Coyotes. He also has more than 100 games at the AHL level. Back in 2016-2017, Miska was a finalist for the Michael Richter Award as the best NCAA goalie. For now, the Muscovites only have Maxim Motorygin as another option between the piping, with Ilya Konovalov still being without a contract for the upcoming campaign.Rourke ChartierFrom Ottawa Senators to Kunlun Red StarKunlun Red Star has just had another interesting move this offseason, inking forward Rourke Chartier to a one-year deal. In the 2023-2024 season, Chartier played 37 games for the Ottawa Senators, scoring 2 goals and adding 1 assist. Despite his limited offensive contribution, he demonstrated strong production in brief action with the team’s affiliate, the Belleville Senators of the AHL, recording 7 goals and 13 points in just 19 games. Chartier’s experience and proven track record in the NHL will undoubtedly bring a new level of competitiveness and depth to the Dragons. Earlier in his career, Chartier won the WHL title with the Kelowna Rockets, playing side to side with Avtomobilist forward Nick Merkley.Keaton ThompsonFrom Adler Mannheim to Torpedo Nizhny NovgorodTo strengthen its defensive core, the Nizhny Novgorod side once again looked at the North American market, signing Keaton Thompson following inking Canadian blueliner Markus Phillips. In the 2023-2024 season, Thompson played for both the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL) and Adler Mannheim (DEL). He recorded two points in 12 regular-season games with the Admirals and contributed three points in six regular-season games with Adler Mannheim in Germany. A former third-round pick for the Anaheim Ducks, Thompson spent all his professional career in the AHL, before his move to Mannheim. With Thompson, the Nizhny Novgorod side acquired an experienced blueliner with good skating and maneuverability, who should be able to become a strong part of the team’s defensive core.Will ButcherFrom Iowa Wild to BarysIf the most recent season hasn’t been very successful for the blueliner, Butcher certainly brings to the KHL one of the best resumes in this offseason, comparable to Comtois’. The defenseman skated in 275 NHL games, scoring an impressive 114 points (16 goals and 98 assists), mostly with the New Jersey Devils, where he played alongside Nikita Gusev, among the others. Butcher played most recently in the NHL in the 2021-2022 season, followed by a strong year in the AHL with the Texas Stars, with 43 points in 65 regular season games. Talking about accolades, the blueliner won gold at the U18 WJC level, and a bronze medal at the 2018 World Championship in Denmark. He was also awarded the Hobey Baker Award as the best collegiate player in 2017. Butcher’s skills and experience will certainly help Barys, whose last signing looks like a key one.