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It appears that the Winnipeg Jets will have to do without the services of Alexander Burmistrov again for the coming season, which is terrible news if you actually care about the team.
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Sun sent out the following two tweets about an hour ago:
Yuri Nikolaev, the Russian agent for Alex Burmistrov, said via e-mail his client will remain with Ak Bars Kazan of #KHL next season #NHLJets
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports) May 30, 2014
Nikolaev did leave the door open for a possible return to #NHL after Alex Burmistrov honours 2nd year of his contract w/Ak Bars #NHLJets
— Ken Wiebe (@WiebeSunSports) May 30, 2014
More on this as the story develops, but it's hard to not be frustrated by this news. Claude Noel really did a significant amount of bridge-burning for the Jets and their young players from overseas. I don't blame Burmi or Arturs Kulda for bolting, and it's really too bad that the hope of them returning any time soon has been dashed.
Some initial reaction from Twitter:
Really bummed to hear that Alex Burmistrov won't be back to the #NHLJets next season. He will stay with #AKBars #KHL #boo #comebackburmi
— Chris Fantini (@Fantiniastic) May 30, 2014
Burmistrov has options, & he is exercising them. That said, when you have almost nothing to show for a 2010 first-rounder, it's a major hit.
— PATRICK WILLIAMS (@pwilliamsNHL) May 30, 2014
GoodRT @CJOBSports: A per @WiebeSunSports Alex Burmistrov's agent says he will honour 2nd year of #KHL contract this coming season. #NHLJets
— Darcy Woodhall (@KingWoodballs) May 30, 2014
Let's get it straight: Alex Burmistrov isn't a fantastic hockey player. Having said that he'd look awful good on a team paying James Wright.
— TJ Maughan (@tj_maughan) May 30, 2014
Shame Burmi's not coming back, but Chevy basically chose Noel and Jokinen over the kid in 12/13. Can't blame him for staying home.
— Robert Cleave (@rmcleave) May 30, 2014
With Burmistrov respecting his contract and staying a year longer in the KHL, here is my #NHLJets Burmi masterpiece: pic.twitter.com/Lud5DooGbG
— Garret Hohl (@garrethohl) May 30, 2014