BREAKING: Sharks Prospect Chekhovich to Sign with KHL’s Torpedo

It looks like Ivan Chekhovich saw the writing on the wall.

This summer, the San Jose Sharks added Nick Bonino, Andrew Cogliano, Jonathan Dahlen, Nick Merkley, and Lane Pederson to a forwards corps that already features Logan Couture, Tomas Hertl, Timo Meier, Kevin Labanc, and for now, Evander Kane. None of these skaters are waiver-exempt, while the 22-year-old Chekhovich is.

Chekhovich appeared AHL and Barracuda-bound this coming season.

That is, until today, when the San Jose Sharks and Chekhovich agreed to a mutual termination of his contract.

Ivan Chekhovich (SJ) is on waivers for purposes of a buyout/termination

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 30, 2021

It makes sense for the Russian winger — Chekhovich had a golden parachute. He’s going back to the KHL, where he starred as a rookie last year with 34 points in 43 games.

It’s the perfect place to go if you don’t want to play in the AHL, which is the case here.

San Jose Hockey Now can also confirm, per a source, that Chekhovich is returning to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, his KHL club last year.

But unlike last season, this isn’t the San Jose Sharks loaning Chekhovich to the KHL side — the Sharks are choosing to give up the rights to their 2017 seventh-round pick.

From what I understand, this parting is amicable, and the door is open for Chekhovich to return to the San Jose organization.