Nikita Dmitriyevich Soshnikov (Russian: Никита Дмитриевич Сошников; born 14 October 1993) is a Russian professional ice hockey forward for Traktor Chelyabinsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Nikita Soshnikov
Soshnikov with the Toronto Marlies in 2015
Born (1993-10-14) 14 October 1993 (age 31)
Nizhny Tagil, Russia
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Left
KHL team
Former teams
Traktor Chelyabinsk
Atlant Moscow Oblast
Toronto Maple Leafs
St. Louis Blues
Salavat Yulaev Ufa
CSKA Moscow
Avangard Omsk
New York Islanders
National team  Russia
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2013–present

Playing career

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Atlant Moscow Oblast

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After playing youth hockey with Sputnik Nizhny Tagil, Soshnikov was chosen in the sixth round, 123rd overall of the 2010 KHL Draft by Atlant Moscow Oblast. He made his professional debut with the MHL affiliate of Atlant Moscow Oblast during the 2010–11 season. Soshnikov made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut playing with Atlant Moscow Oblast during the 2013–14 KHL season.[1] Soshnikov played two seasons with Atlant, scoring two goals and five points in 37 games in his rookie campaign before continuing his development with 14 goals and 18 assists in the 2014–15 season.

Toronto Maple Leafs

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Upon completion of his second season in the KHL, on 20 March 2015, Soshnikov decided to move to North America to play in the NHL, signing as an undrafted free agent to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.[2]

Soshnikov made his NHL debut on 29 February 2016 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He scored his first NHL goal on 2 March 2016 against Philipp Grubauer of the Washington Capitals.

Soshnikov started the 2017–18 season with the Toronto Marlies; however, there was a clause in Soshnikov's contract that stipulated he must be called up to the Leafs by 14 November 2017, or else he would be allowed to head to the KHL. He was called up just before the clause kicked in. In addition to this, he is now no longer waiver-exempt, meaning he would have to clear through waivers if he were to be sent back down to the AHL[3][4] However, a logjam of players meant Soshnikov saw limited action. On 1 February 2018, Soshnikov was assigned to the Marlies for a conditioning stint.[5] On 12 February 2018, it was announced that Soshnikov would be recalled from the Marlies, but would remain on the injured reserve.[6]

St. Louis Blues

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Still passed on the depth chart, rumors began to circulate throughout February that Soshnikov was likely to be traded.[7] On 15 February 2018, it was announced that Soshnikov had been traded to the St. Louis Blues for a fourth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.[8]

Return to Russia

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As an impending restricted free agent from the Blues and unable to cement a role within the NHL team following an injury plagued 2018–19 season, Soshnikov opted to return to Russia to hone his game in the KHL. On 3 June 2019, his rights were traded from SKA Saint Petersburg to Salavat Yulaev Ufa in exchange for the rights to Vladimir Tkachev. He immediately agreed to a two-year contract with the club.[9]

During his final year under contract with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the 2020–21 season, Soshnikov registered 17 points through 21 regular season games before he was traded to HC CSKA Moscow in exchange for Mikhail Naumenkov on 28 November 2020.[10]

New York Islanders

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Following three seasons in the KHL, Soshnikov opted to return for another shot at the NHL in the 2022–23 season, in agreeing to a one-year, $750,000 contract with the New York Islanders on 22 September 2022.[11] Remaining on the Islanders roster to open the season, Soshnikov primarily served as a healthy scratch and featured in just three games before he was placed on waivers and re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders. After four games in the AHL, on 19 December, Soshnikov cleared unconditional waivers, resulting in the mutual termination of his contract with the Islanders.[12]

Traktor Chelyabinsk

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On 20 December 2022, as a free agent, Soshnikov signed a two-year contract through the 2023–24 season in a return to the KHL with Traktor Chelyabinsk.[13]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2010–11 Atlant Moscow Oblast MHL 48 17 10 27 14 6 0 1 1 6
2011–12 Atlant Moscow Oblast MHL 47 14 20 34 12 11 1 4 5 25
2012–13 Atlant Moscow Oblast MHL 59 38 34 72 47 8 5 4 9 6
2013–14 Atlant Moscow Oblast MHL 10 5 8 13 4 2 2 0 2 0
2013–14 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 33 2 3 5 27
2013–14 Buran Voronezh VHL 4 2 2 4 0
2014–15 Atlant Moscow Oblast KHL 57 14 18 32 22
2015–16 Toronto Marlies AHL 52 18 10 28 18 11 5 2 7 4
2015–16 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 11 2 3 5 6
2016–17 Toronto Marlies AHL 6 1 2 3 6
2016–17 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 56 5 4 9 16
2017–18 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 3 0 0 0 0
2017–18 Toronto Marlies AHL 19 7 10 17 12
2017–18 St. Louis Blues NHL 15 1 1 2 4
2018–19 San Antonio Rampage AHL 11 3 3 6 4
2018–19 St. Louis Blues NHL 5 0 0 0 0
2019–20 Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL 58 27 21 48 28
2020–21 Salavat Yulaev Ufa KHL 21 4 13 17 6
2020–21 CSKA Moscow KHL 25 4 5 9 10 13 0 3 3 4
2021–22 CSKA Moscow KHL 11 0 1 1 6
2021–22 Avangard Omsk KHL 22 4 11 15 8 13 5 3 8 31
2022–23 New York Islanders NHL 3 0 0 0 0
2022–23 Bridgeport Islanders AHL 4 0 1 1 0
2022–23 Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL 22 8 6 14 17
2023–24 Traktor Chelyabinsk KHL 67 10 17 27 25 11 1 2 3 4
KHL totals 316 73 95 168 149 37 6 8 14 39
NHL totals 90 8 8 16 26

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2018 Russia WC 6th 4 0 3 3 0
Senior totals 4 0 3 3 0

References

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  1. ^ "Nikita Soshnikov player profile". Kontinental Hockey League. 2 January 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Maple Leafs sign Nikita Soshnikov to three-year contract". Maple Leafs Hot Stove. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  3. ^ Boyten, Rory (14 November 2017). "Soshnikov's agent: 'Nikita has earned the right to be in the NHL'". Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  4. ^ "Maple Leafs avoid contract loophole, call up Nikita Soshnikov from Marlies". Toronto: The National Post. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Maple Leafs assign Soshnikov to Marlies for conditioning stint - Sportsnet.ca". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Maple Leafs recall Soshnikov, to remain on IR with roster decision looming". thescore. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Most Likely to be Traded". Editor in Leaf. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2018.
  8. ^ Pinkert, Chris (15 February 2018). "Blues acquire Soshnikov from Maple Leafs". NHL.com. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
  9. ^ "In Salavat - Nikita Soshnikov" (in Russian). Salavat Yulaev Ufa. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  10. ^ "CSKA trades Naumenkov to Salavat for Nikita Soshnikov" (in Russian). HC CSKA Moscow. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  11. ^ "Islanders sign Schneider, Soshnikov and Wotherspoon". New York Islanders. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  12. ^ "Nikita Soshnikov: Lands on unconditional waivers". CBSSports.com. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  13. ^ "Никита Сошников – в "Тракторе"". hctraktor.org (in Russian). 20 December 2022. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
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