Nik Antropov will spend the lockout with Barys Astana of the KHL, according to R-Sport.
Antropov has logged 748 regular season games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets, but the Kazakhstan-native is no stranger to Russian hockey. He’s previously played with Ak Bars Kazan, Dynamo Moscow, and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Still, this is his first time playing for his homeland’s only KHL team.
He’s part of a growing number of noteworthy NHL players finding a new home in the KHL as players adjust to life during the NHL lockout. If he makes his debut on Saturday, he might play against the Flames’ Jiri Hudler and Flyers’ Jakub Voracek, who have both joined Lev Prague.
Antropov had 15 goals and 35 points in 69 games with the Jets last season after getting 67 points in 2009-10. His contract with Winnipeg is scheduled to expire in the summer of 2013.