The inaugural season for the Coachella Valley Firebirds was supposed to include a big get for the team. The new AHL affiliate of the Seattle Kraken announced back in July that it had signed a contract with Simon Bucek, the top scorer from the Slovak Extraliga. About a month later, and it appears Bucek has bailed on the deal and signed a new one in the KHL.
"I knew this before, but I promised not to post it until it was official. Samuel Bucek has terminated his contract with the Seattle Kraken and is heading to Russia to play for Nizhnekamsk. I don't know the exact reasons, but money certainly played a big part. - Tomáš Prokop, Slovak Hockey Insider
Players in the KHL can make more money than those in the AHL if the team/league wants them badly enough. The Russia-based league also enjoys some competition with the NHL and its affiliate leagues when it comes to getting certain players. That rarely includes big stars as the KHL simply can't pay what the NHL does.
Bucek, who was never drafted into the NHL, had a break out year in 2021-22 at the age of 23. He played 50 games with Nitra MHC, scoring 41 goals and 63 points. He then played 19 playoff games, potting 13 goals and 24 points.
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