Chicago Blackhawks prospect Artur Kayumov has announced that he will not be signing with the NHL team just yet. Instead, he has chosen to sign a new one-year contract with Lokomotiv of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Russia's most popular hockey league.
Kayumov was drafted by the Blackhawks in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft, but has yet to make his NHL debut. The 23-year-old forward has spent the last four seasons playing in the KHL, where he has amassed an impressive 68 points in 143 games.
While it's disappointing news for Blackhawks fans, Kayumov's decision to sign with Lokomotiv is not uncommon for young players looking to continue their development and gain valuable playing time. It's possible that we may see him back in North America in the future, but for now, Kayumov is focused on continuing to hone his skills and make a name for himself in the KHL.
