Valentenko signs with KHL

It looks like Pavel Valentenko is headed back to Russia. Per Evgeny Belousov, Valentenko has signed with Avangard Omsk of the KHL. This confirms the relatively cryptic tweet that Valentenko himself tweeted after the Connecticut Whale season ended last week:

It was two great seasons for me here, in Hartford! I was proud to be one of the part of Wolfpack/Whale team! Thanks everyone for support!

It was a bit curious to see him tweet that, considering he was still a part of the Ranger organization, but now it is clear as to why.

What is also clear is that Valentenko really had no future with the Rangers. He is blocked by a number of current roster players and a few other prospects like Dylan McIlrath and Tim Erixon. In fact, the acquisition of Erixon and the emergence of Stu Bickel might have sealed his fate.

Update: Per Laurie Carr, the deal with Avangard is a two year deal.