Nikita Tolopilo has turned down offers from the KHL to focus on securing a full-time NHL role with the Vancouver Canucks.
The 26-year-old Belarusian goaltender broke through with Södertälje SK in HockeyAllsvenskan before signing with Vancouver. He has one year remaining on his two-way contract and appeared in 21 games for the Canucks last season after progressing through their AHL affiliate. In a recent podcast interview Tolopilo revealed he received KHL proposals worth 35 to 40 million rubles, roughly four million kronor before taxes. He compared the figures to the NHL minimum of 850,000 dollars, or about eight million kronor. Tolopilo said the decision was straightforward. “The goal and purpose is to play in the NHL full time,” he stated. He had previously rejected similar KHL overtures while in the AHL, choosing to honor his commitment to Vancouver.
