Maxim Shalunov

October 2020- Shalunov is once again suiting up for CSKA Moskova in the KHL where he is once again off to a good start. At this point, it does not look like he will be heading over to North America any time soon. The immensely talented 27-year-old would have been a great fit for the now rebuilding Blackhawks. Tony Carr

March 2018- Shalunov has been on fire recently, leading CSKA Moskva in scoring during the regular season, including a stretch where he scored goals in five straight games. He has added three goals during a quarterfinal sweep of Spartak Moscow. His talent is immense and is something the Blackhawks desperately need going into next season. Tony Carr

April 2017- it appears as though Shalunov will not be joining the Blackhawks anytime soon. With the announcement of the NHL not participating in the 2018 Winter Olympics, Shalunov’s agent has stated that his client has decided to stay in Russia, keeping his Olympic dreams alive. Tony Carr

February 2017- Shalunov’s season has come to an end as his KHL team, Sibir Novosibirsk, has missed the playoffs. This makes him eligible to sign with the Blackhawks and join the team for the tail end of this season. This will probably not happen this season though, so don’t count on him producing for your fantasy team this year. Tony Carr

January 2017 – Rumours about Shalunov possibly coming to play for the Blackhawks after his season is done in the KHL are swirling. Having his best season as a pro to date, the hulking Russian winger could follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Artemi Panarin and Artem Anisimov and join the Blackhawks. Tony Carr

April 2016 – Shalunov just wrapped up his second year with Novosibirsk Sibir of the KHL, where he notched 20 goals and 15 assists in 69 regular season and playoff games. Upon the conclusion of the season in March, he re-upped for the 2016-17 campaign. Still only 23 years-old, it remains to be seen if he will ever return to play professionally in North America. Matt Donohue

December 2015 – Shalunov is currently playing out the final year of his deal with Novosibirsk Sibir of the KHL. He has 14 points through 39 games after putting up just four points in 33 games last season. Unless an NHL team comes calling this summer, he is likely to remain overseas for the foreseeable future. Matt Donohue

February 2015 – Since being drafted in the fourth round by the Blackhawks in 2011, Shalunov struggled to adjust to the North American game. In his lone professional season here in 2013-14, he had no goals and just four assists in 20 games with Rockford, followed by a 43 game stint in the ECHL. Rather than returning to try and compete for an AHL job in 2014-15, Shalunov bolted to Russia on a two-year deal with Novosibirsk Sibir of the KHL. Assuming he plays out this contract, he will be a 23-year-old former fourth rounder with just 20 AHL games to his name when it expires in 2016. Shalunov will certainly be hard pressed to find another NHL contract and may have to settle for an AHL deal if he chooses to come back to North America. Matt Donohue

September 2013 – Shalunov will in fact get a chance to show what he’s made of at the North American pro level. He was sent down to Rockford and will spend the season gaining needed experience. Rex Doty

June 2013 – Shalunov wasn’t able to latch on with the KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk, only seeing one game without a point. He spent the season with Traktor’s minor league teams. Between the two minor league teams he put up 19 points in 26 games. It’s most likely that Shalunov will remain with Traktor for the coming season. Rex Doty

November 2012 – Shalunov is currently a member of the Russian national junior squad competing in a six-game series versus CHL all-star teams in the SUBWAY Super Series and he has been one of Russia’s most effective weapons.  After four games, Shalunov sits tied with Nail Yakupov for the team’s scoring lead with 2 goals and 4 points and will be a vital member of the Russian 2013 WJC roster. Brendan Ross

November 2012 – Maxim Shalunov is in the typical mold of a Russian high-flying forward as he possesses the elite skating ability, shiftiness and offensive puck skills that makes him a constant offensive threat.  Shalunov has improved his defensive awareness substantially since being drafted in the fourth round (2011).  Shalunov owns the size, skill and creativity to become a true offensive weapon at the next level.  Brendan Ross