Nikita Scherbak

June 2019 – Scherbak did not get a qualifying offer from the Kings which means he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He has also signed a three-year contract with Avangard in the KHL.  Jokke Nevalainen

January 2019 – The Kings have placed recently claimed Scherbak on waivers after appearing in only eight games for the team while tallying one goal during that stretch. He was brought in by the Kings from the Montreal Canadiens with the hopes to provide some offensive punch due to the many injuries that have plagued the Kings lineup. The 23-year-old Russian winger has since cleared waivers (as of January 7, 2019) and will report to the Kings’ AHL affiliate Ontario Reign. Julian Mongillo

December 2018 – The Los Angeles Kings have claimed Scherbak from waivers. The Canadiens tried to send him down to the AHL but the Kings are in need of some offensive help and they figured it’s worth seeing what this former first-rounder can do for them.  Jokke Nevalainen

April 2018 – Nikita Scherbak was diagnosed with a concussion following a game versus the Winnipeg Jets, ending his season a couple of games early. Scherbak likely sustained the concussion when he threw a hit toward Dustin Byfuglien but bounced off the behemoth and looked to have taken the worst of the impact. The rookie didn’t return to the game after that, though the team wouldn’t confirm the exact play. The big, speedy forward showed all-star level offensive ability at times while up with the Habs (as seen below) but it’s his new-found impact on the forecheck that may earn him a spot in the starting 12 next season. Though inconsistent, his desire was evident and the physical skill-set is obvious. It’s only a matter of time before Scherbak becomes a regular on the scoresheet as he continues his ascent up the lineup. Mike Barrett

February 2018 – Scherbak has flashed his major potential a few times since being recalled by Montreal this month, though most of his big moments were in home games where Claude Julien can give the rookie more favourable matchups. In a recent away game versus Arizona, Scherbak was dropped to the fourth line, but he did respond with a better effort and moved his feet much more. Whether he is flanking Drouin and Galchenyuk (and second unit PP, sometimes at the point) or on the fourth line, it seems like the former first-rounder is here to stay for the remainder of the season. His ice-time fluctuates and he hasn’t produced but now would be the time to play or acquire him in your leagues; before the media pegs him a “Rookie to Watch” for the 2018-19 season. Mike Barrett

January 2018 – Coming off a knee injury that sidelined him for weeks, Scherbak has returned to the impressive form he was in prior to that as a star AHL player. His consistency and hunger for the puck were his biggest issues, and now Scherbak has become one of the most consistent players across the league. A call up to the big squad is likely soon with the Canadiens in freefall. Mike Barrett

October 2017 – Off to a hot start with the Laval Rocket, Nikita Scherbak was recalled by Montreal (October 23) with the club in desperate need of offense. Scherbak’s playmaking (6-1-8-9) will be welcomed as the Habs only have 13 goals in eight games on the season. He will be lined up across from Alex Galchenyuk on the fourth line (centered by Mike McCarron) with whom he’s shown good chemistry with both in the past and earlier this year in the pre-season. Scherbak could stick around for more than just one game if he manages to produce offense for the lowly Canadiens. Mike Barrett

January 2017 – Nikita Scherbak was recalled by the Montreal Canadiens on January 5th in a somewhat surprising announcement from the club. Aside from the fact that there were no new injuries up front, the team has always gone another direction when in need of reinforcements. Scherbak has been much improved as a sophomore pro (10 goals, 10 assists in 27 games), and could very well have earned his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada. The talented first-round winger will look to inject his offensive flair into the first-place Habs lineup, specifically at even-strength. Mike Barrett

December 2015 – Scherbak suffered an undisclosed injury on November 23 thanks to a huge hit by fellow prospect Viktor Loov. He is expected out until late January. There goes that big rookie-pro season we were hoping to see… Footage of the hit is here. Dobber

October 2014 – Scherbak had some good moments at the Canadiens’ training camp but will need additional development before making the jump to the NHL. He will spend the year with the Everett Silvertips of the WHL who acquired his rights prior to the start of the season. He is off to a great start with four goals and eight points in just four games. Eric Daoust

July 2014 – Scherbak signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Canadiens.

June 2014 – The Montreal Canadiens selected Nikita Scherbak 26^th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Ross

February 2014 – Another player who has launched himself into first round consideration is Saskatoon Blades import winger Nikita Scherbak, the WHL’s leading rookie scorer by a large margin. Scherbak leads the Blades as well posting well over a point-per-game making a flawless transition into the North American junior hockey circuit. An intelligent player who’s shown to be very coachable, Scherbak’s game is featured around strong skating, creative vision and a willingness to engage physically in puck battles at both ends of the rink. He’s learning quickly and his big steps in development are exactly what teams covet.  Brendan Ross