Former top pick Denis Gurianov gives up on North America

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Josh Tupper
July 4, 2024 (1:44 PM)

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Denis Gurianov, a 27-year-old forward, has made the decision to leave the NHL and return to Russia. He has signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow in the KHL.

Gurianov was a first-round draft pick (12th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2015. He spent seven seasons with the team, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2020. During his time in the NHL, he also played for the Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and Philadelphia Flyers.

In his 298 NHL games, Gurianov totaled 113 points (52 goals, 61 assists). Despite his contributions, he has chosen to return to Russia to continue his career. Gurianov's decision may be attributed to various reasons, including personal and professional goals.

Note: the following is translated from Russian.

"As SE has learned, forward Denis Guryanov has reached an agreement with CSKA to sign a two-year contract. The 27-year-old forward has spent the last eight seasons in North America." Sport-Express said.

Gurianov's return to Russia may not be permanent. He will be 29 years old when his CSKA Moscow contract expires, and a strong performance in the KHL could lead to a potential return to the NHL in the future. Only time will tell what the future holds for this talented forward.

Source: Sport-Express
Guryanov will sign a two-year contract with CSKA