“Lukoyanov is the personification of Ak Bars. I’m sure he will extend the contract” – Potapov

Two-time Gagarin Cup winner Alexey Potapov admitted that he was confident that striker Artem Lukoyanov would extend his contract with Ak Bars Kazan.

Since 2011, Lukoyanov played for Ak Bars. Last season, the 35-year-old forward scored 16 points (9+7) in 64 matches of the Fonbet KHL Championship, without scoring in five playoff games. In the offseason, the hockey player became an unrestricted free agent.

— This off-season, many famous players are still without clubs. Is this due to an increase in the limit on foreign players or for other reasons?

— The league is getting much younger. I attribute this to both the salary cap and the foreign players. But, first of all, players must ask themselves why they are not being signed. Perhaps a not very successful season or some kind of story. The same Plotnikov and Andronov easily found a job in a top club.

— Without contracts, even such experienced hockey players who played with you as Sergei Kalinin, Nikita Soshnikov, Artem Lukoyanov…

— Lukoyanov is the person who personifies Ak Bars. I went to Kazan before the playoffs and was sure that the contract would be signed. But so far Artem and the management have not found a common language. Apparently it has something to do with the conditions. Sergei Kalinin was the captain in Traktor. But North American coach Benoit Groux has joined the team and will likely lean towards speed. Sergei is not quite suitable for such a game,” RB Sport quotes Potapov.