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KHLers Burmistrov (Jets), Tikhonov (‘Hawks) make NHL returns

Alex Burmistrov

Winnipeg Jets’ Alex Burmistrov, of Russia, waits for the puck to drop during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins in Boston, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

AP

A pair of talented young KHL skaters are making their way back to North America.

Winnipeg’s Alex Burmistrov, who’s spent the last two seasons playing for Ak-Bars Kazan, has agreed to a two-year, $3.1 million deal ($1.55 AAV) with the Jets while Viktor Tikhonov, a former Coyotes first-rounder, has signed a one-year, $1.04 million deal with the Blackhawks.

More on Burmistrov, from the Jets:

[Burmistrov] has spent the past two seasons in the KHL with Kazan Ak-Bars after playing the prior three seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets organization where he tallied 23 goals and 58 points in 194 NHL games.

With Kazan, Burmistrov had 20 goals and 64 points in 108 KHL games.

A talented, skill forward that’s still only 23 years old, Burmistrov should help replace the void left by Michael Frolik signing with Calgary today.

As for Tikhonov, here’s more on his situation from ESPN Chicago:

Tikhonov, 27, has spent the last four seasons in the KHL. He had eight goals and 16 assists in 49 games with SKA last season. He was drafted No. 28 overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2008 and played in 61 NHL games during the 2008-09 season.

In Chicago, Tikhonov will be reunited with former SKA running mate Artemi Panarin, who agreed to a two-year deal with the ‘Hawks in April. The two were instrumental in helping SKA win the Gagarin Cup this season.