The Winnipeg Jets could be in danger of losing one of their best young players, according to a report from Peter Adler of the Edmonton Journal.
According to Adler, Jets forward Alexander Burmistrov has been offered a contract by Kontinental Hockey League club AK Bars Kazan.
Burmistrov has one year left on his $1.5-million entry-level contract before becoming a restricted free agent. Kazan’s representatives refused to comment on the details of the offer but did confirm they have had preliminary talks with the 20-year-old.
Burmistrov is represented by agent Mark Gandler, who is best remembered for his controversial negotiating tactics with former client Alexei Yashin. Under Gandler, Yashin missed half of the 1995-96 season as a member of the Ottawa Senators after holding out for more money, and was suspended for the entire 1999-00 campaign after failing to report to camp following another round of contract disputes. Gandler later negotiated Yashin’s mammoth eight-year $87.5-million contract with the New York Islanders in 2001.
A native of Kazan, Russia, Burmistrov played one game with his hometown team in 2008-09 before leaving to join the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie Colts.
After a successful season in Barrie (22-43-65), the Atlanta Thrashers selected Burmistrov eighth overall in 2010. Burmistrov made the jump to the NHL that same year, scoring six goals and 20 points in 74 games. In 76 games with the Jets last season, the two-way pivot recorded 13 goals and 28 points.
Burmistrov is currently training with the Russian national team for the upcoming 2012 IIHF World Hockey Championships.
