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A number of Russian players have been disqualified from participating in the World Championships because of the manner in which they left their NHL clubs by flying back to Russia without permission and consequently being disqualified. While NHL could not prevent these players from signing in Russia (due to a lack of a transfer agreement between the two leagues), the league could prevent them from participating in IIHF competition. This likely hurts the players significantly, as it is highly prestigious to skate for the national team in Russia. The list of players includes Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes), Vadim Khomitski (Dallas Stars), Andrei Taratukhin (Calgary Flames), Stanislav Chistov (Boston Bruins), Alexander Svitov (Columbus Blue Jackets), and Maxim Kondratiev (Anaheim Mighty Ducks).

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Super League -  Metallurg Mg. vs. Dynamo 4:3 (series 1:0) - Metallurg beat Dynamo on game deciding penalty shots, with Jan Marek and former Dynamo player Igor Mirnov (Ottawa Senators) scoring on both of their tries while Evgeny Fedorov (Los Angeles Kings) and defenseman Yakov Rylov missed on their chances. For Igor Mirnov (Ottawa Senators) this game was bittersweet, as he was skating against his former teammates and the only club he really has known until the disgruntled forward was traded by Dynamo to Metallurg earlier this season. Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) scored a rare tally, centering the line with the goal scoring sniper Jan Marek, who also had a goal in this game besides his deciding penalty shot.

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Super League -  Alexei Morozov (Pittsburgh Penguins) remains Russia's top overall player, but Sergei Mozyakin (Columbus Blue Jackets) has a solid lead in goals. Over the past several seasons the young forward has been consistently a top scorer in the Super Leauge, but has never been as consistent as this season. Vitaliy Atyushov (Ottawa Senators) continues to be Russia's top defender in scoring with his impressive 26 assists. Another player with 26 assists is Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) who appears to have finally gotten over the funk of his NHL stint and returned to old form. READ MORE

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Super League -  Oleg Saprykin (Ottawa Senators) scored his 11th goal of the season in a CSKA 8:0 trouncing of HC Torpedo. This game was a bit of a coming out party for Vladimir Zharkov (New Jersey Devils), who scored two goals, taking full advantage of the change to skate on the second line. Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) was instrumental in helping HC Metallurg beat HC Traktor, having a hand in both of his team’s goals. Interestingly the game was also a debut for young Traktor 90 born goalie Danila Alistratov, who deserved the top star honors of the game for carrying his game and backstopping it during very difficult situations. READ MORE

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EuroTour Karjala Cup  - 

GOALIES: Alexander Eremenko ("Salavat Yulaev"), Semen Varlamov (Washington Capitals) ("Lokomotiv"), Yachanov (SKA), , Biryukov (KhK MVD),
DEFENSEMAN: Ilya Nikulin (Atlanta Thrashers), Evgeni Medvedev, Alexei Emelin (Montreal Canadiens) (all - "Ak Bars"), Denis Kulyash (Nashville Predators), Konstantin Korneev (Montreal Canadiens), Anton Belov (all - CSKA), Vitaly Proshkin, Kuteykin (oba - "Salavat Yulaev"), Vitaly Atyushov ("Metallurg" Mg), Dmitri Bykov (Detroit Red Wings) ("Khimik"), Yakov Rylov "(Dynamo"), Peretyagin (SKA),
FORWARDS: Fedor Fedorov (New York Rangers), Alexander Kharitonov , Dmitri Afanasenkov , Badyukov (all - "Dynamo"), Vladimir Antipov (Toronto Maple Leafs), Alexander Perezhogin (Montreal Canadiens), Alexei Tereschenko (Dallas Stars) (all - "Salavat Yulaev"), Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs), Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) (oba - "Metallurg" Mg), Alexander Svitov (Columbus Blue Jackets), Anton Kuryanov (oba - "Avangard"), Oleg Saprykin (Ottawa Senators), Alexei Simakov (both - CSKA), Ivan Nepryaev, Alexei Mikhnov (Edmonton Oilers) (both - "Lokomotiv"), Sergei Zinovjev (Boston Bruins) ("Ak Bars"), Sergei Mozyakin (Columbus Blue Jackets) ("Khimik"), Igor Makarov (Chicago Blackhawks) (SKA), Pestushko ("Neftekhimik").

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A number of new photos have been added to the profiles of Enver Lisin (Phoenix Coyotes), Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes), Dmitri Kosmachev (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Ilya Krikunov (Vancouver Canucks).

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Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) wore this #55 HC Metallurg jersey during the 2004-05 season while skating for the Super League club during the NHL lockout season. The young center has been one of premier playmaking centers in Russia and is not the property of the Phoenix Coyotes. The jersey shows light wear. As is standard with HC Metallurg jerseys, everything, including Kaigorodov’s name is sublimated onto the jersey. READ MORE

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After the disastrous Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) experiment of a year ago, the Ottawa Senators might have been excused for adopting a once burned, twice shy philosophy toward young Russian hockey prospects. Instead, the Senators are ecstatic at the training camp play of 20-year-old Ilya Zubov (Ottawa Senators) and 22-year-old Alexander Nikulin (Ottawa Senators), who have arrived in North America with significantly less fanfare than Kaigorodov. (Canada.com article by Ken Warren) READ MORE

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World Championships -  Forward Alexei Mikhnov (Edmonton Oilers) and Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes), as well as defenseman Konstantin Korneev (Montreal Canadiens) were the final cuts from Team Russia’s roster and are now considered to be the immediate call-up reserves for the national team. Head coach Vyacheslav Bykov had the following to say about this final decision in an interview with Vladislav Domrachev of the Soviet Sport newspaper: It’s unfortunate about these guys. But we came to the conclusion that they weren’t with their teams since the beginning of the season. We tried them out at the Sweden Games and at the preparatory games…I am sure they will still play for the national team in the future.

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World Championships -  RUSSIA - AUSTRIA - 4:3 (1:0, 1:1, 2:2).
April 24th, 2007 - Moscow
GOALS:
- 1:0 Schastlivyy (Kharitonov, 6.10, sh),
- 2:0 Frolov (31.32, pp),
- 2:1 Zettsinger (36.03),
- 2:2 Lukas (Kharand, 44.37),
- 2:3 Ulrikh (Zettsinger, 49.52, pp),
- 3:3 Nikulin (Zinovev, 54.45, pp),
- 4:3 Frolov (Koltsov, Kaygorodov, 58.48).
THREE STARS: Frolov, Zettsinger, Schastlivyy.
RUSSIA (16): Eremenko (Barulin, 30.14); Nikulin (2) - Proshkin, Atyushov (2) - Grebeshkov (2), Emelin - Kondratev (2), Markov - Koltsov (4); Morozov - Zinovev - Zaripov, Frolov - Kaygorodov - Ovechkin (2), Mikhnov (2) - Schastlivyy-k - Kharitonov, Kulemin - Nepryaev - Mozyakin.
AUSTRIA (18+2 Team Penalty): Brukler (Divis, 30.14); R. Lukas - Rebek, Ulrikh (2) - Unterlyuggauyr, A.Lakos - Styuart (2), Matti - F.Lakos (2); Zettsinger (2) - Kokh - Uylser, Tratting (2) - F.Lukas - K.Kharant (2), Shuller (6) - Divis - Baumgartner, Payntner - Peval - P.Kharand.
SHOTS: 23 (5, 6, 12) - 23 (6, 10, 7).
GAME NOTES: Konstantin Barulin (St. Louis Blues) put on a shaky showing for the national team, allowing all three goals against Austria. At the same time, Alexander Eremenko was quite solid and will likely backup Vasily Koshechkin (Tampa Bay Lightning) at the World Championships. Alexander Frolov (Los Angeles Kings) and Alexander Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) skated on the second line with Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) at center. Frolov scored two goals, while Ovechkin still looked a bit out of place. Interestingly, Kiril Koltsov (Vancouver Canucks) skated with Andrei Markov (Montreal Canadiens) on the second defensive pairing, which will hopefully give the young defenseman some additional experience prior to making another attempt at the NHL this summer.

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Russian Super League -  HC Metallurg (Magnitogorsk) edged Ak Bars (Kazan) in the first game of the best of five final series for the Super League Championship. The Magnitogorsk club accomplished this behind a strong performance from the its top two lines centered by Jan Marek and Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes). Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) did most of the scoring, notching two of his club tallies. Kazan also had a hard time containing the Kaigorodov – Gusmanov tendem, as the two caused a lot of trouble for the 2006 champions. The final score was 5:2 in favor of Metallurg. Kulemin (2), Kaigorodov, Gusmanov and Kudrna scored for Metallurg, while Sergei Zinovjev (Boston Bruins) and Vladimir Vorobiev tallied for Kazan.

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Russian Super League -  HC CSKA lost badly to HC Ak Bars, scoring the two goals only in the last minutes of the game. Ilya Nikulin (Atlanta Thrashers) performed well on defense, and also contributed on offense, quarterbacking the power play and scoring Kazan’s first goal. Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs) scored the clinching goal for HC Metallurg, while Denis Platonov (Nashville Predators) and Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes) added the other tallies. All three are enjoying strong seasons, especially Platonov, who has surpassed his former linemate Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) in production for the year. READ MORE

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Russian Super League -  Vladimir Kryuchkov had the following to say in a 3/13/2007 interview with Olga Romanek from Football/Hockey newspaper about Nikolai Kulemin (Toronto Maple Leafs)'s success and Alexei Kaigorodov (Phoenix Coyotes)'s return:
- Nikolai Kulemin - did he develop and break out thanks to you?
- V. Kryuchkov: Nikolai Kulemin grew up without depending on our efforts. He scores the most goals. Recently, Toronot officials visited him. Most likely, he will be leaving next season.
- In your opinion, should clubs try to keep Russian players?
- V. Kryuchkov: Stars on the level of Malkin and Kulemin can calmly leave, not being afraid having to come back.
- Are you referring to Kaigorodov, who returned to you from Ottawa?
- V. Kryuchkov: It was difficult for Alexei to break out [in North America - RP]. This is just such an example when a player plays team hockey. Kaigorodov is a great conductor, who can make such a pass, that anyone would be jealous. But, he needed more time to start playing there. But stars like Malkin and Kulemin will not, in my opinion have to wait. They are leaving to take practically guarantied spots.

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Russian Super League -  A prospect on a rebound, Artem Chernov (Dallas Stars) notched his 12th goal of the season, while newly acquired Phoenix Coyote prospect Alexei Kaigorodov helped surging Metallurg win by scoring one and assisting on another goal. Yuri Trubachev (Calgary Flames) upstaged Igor Grigorenko’s (Detroit Red Wings) return to Cherepovets by tallying twice and helping the home club beat Grigorenko’s Lada 3:2. Grigorenko did his best to keep Lada in the game, notching a goal and creating a couple of other scoring chances, but to no avail. READ MORE

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The Phoenix Coyotes have acquired the rights to center Alexei Kaigorodov from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for center Mike Comrie. The trade was partially made by Phoenix in an effort to get rid of Comrie’s hefty salary. Kaigorodov arrived in North America this season, but returned to Russia after not initially meeting the hefty expectations and being demoted to the AHL. The young forward has stated in the Russian media that he expects to be in Phoenix for the training camp next summer.

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The Ottawa Senators announced today that the club has suspended prospect Alexei Kaigorodov for refusing to accept the AHL assignment to Binghamton. According to CBC sports, the young forward announced his intentions to return to Russia and his home club HC Metallurg. If the information holds true, this will be an unfortunate end to the Kaigorodov experiment, as the young forward would have likely been the top call-up player for the Senators in the AHL.

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Kaigorodov (Ottawa Senators) READ MORE

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LG Sweden Games (EuroTour) -  Alexei Kaigorodov (Ottawa Senators) will be in Ottawa’s lineup this season. The young forward has agreed with his Russian team to allow him to sign an NHL deal without annulling his Russian contract, which will remain on pause during his NHL career with HC Metallurg retaining his rights outside the NHL. The young forward’s contract will be for two years and will be a one way deal without an opportunity to send him to the minors. If the young forward is sent down, he will have an option to return to Russia and continue playing for his Super League club HC Metallurg.

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Russian out of picture for Sens - Muckler says unless transfer agreement is worked out, Kaigorodov likely to remain overseas READ MORE

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Russian National teams forward Alexei Kaigorodov (Ottawa Senators): With these partners will play first time! READ MORE

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World Championships -  Alexei Kaigorodov (Ottawa Senantors) flew from Moscow to Magnitogorsk to receive treatment for an aggravated past leg injury. The extent of the injury is not serious, but according to a source in Metallurg's management, it will require surgery, which means that the young forward will be forced to miss the World Championships. The young forward has enjoyed an exceptional season, placing among the top Super League scorers and finishing second in the league in assists with 36.

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Russian Super League -  Round 26: Metallurg Mg. - Khimik Game Notes
METALLURG (Magnitogorsk)

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Russian Super League -  NEFTKHIMIK (Nizhnekamsk)

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Despite losing the past two games, one player has simply shone on Metallurg Mg.'s lineup. Evgeny Gladskikh (Vancouver Canucks) scored his 16th goal to open the scoring in the fourth game against Avangard, and he also scored a penalty shot after overtime to bring Metallurg into a tie on penalty shots, only to watch former Minnesota Wild forward Maxim Sushinsky score for Avangard and another former Wild, Ravil Gusmanov, miss on his attempt after faking out Maxim Sokolov to the ice. Gladskikh has been a consistant threat for his club and looked better than his linemate Alexei Kaigorodov, who has for long been the better of the two young Metallurg prospects.

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Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and Metallurg Magnitogorsk played to a 1:1 tie on Saturday evening. However the interesting thing about this game was not the final score, but who scored the goals on these two wealthy and veteran filled clubs. 19 year old Nashville Predators prospect Grigori Shafigullin opened the scoring on a beautiful breakaway early in the first period, after beating a Metallurg’s defenseman. The fans had to wait until the end of the first period, when Lokomotiv’s goalie could not handle the puck, leaving it on the goal line, and 21 year old Ottawa Senators prospect Alexei Kaigorodov swooped in and poked it into the wide open net. Both goals were third for each player. While Kaigorodov’s season has not been going on par with expectations, Shafigullin’s has surpassed them with the increased ice time and responsibility on the Super League club, as well as U20 national team duty. Still, despite a lack in production, Kaigorodov continues to plays solid, defensively responsible hockey on Metallurg’s third line.