As expected, the Syracuse Crunch signed Russian forward Mikhail Shalagin to a one-year AHL contract. He will be eligible to play in the AHL and ECHL next season. The team has also announced that defenceman Nolan Valleau will spend another year with the Crunch [Raw Charge]
This contract should work well for both sides. Shalagin will be able to see what it’s like playing in North America for a year. The Lightning will get to watch him up close for a year and have a hand in his continuing development. If either or both parties feel it’s not working out after this year, then Shalagin can easily return to Russia.