This afternoon, Hockey News Hub has reported on X that Blue Jackets defenseman Egor Zamula will be signing in the KHL, taking a three-year deal to play for CSKA.
Per Artur Khairullin, #CBJ Yegor Zamula will sign a three-year contract with CSKA #KHL
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) June 16, 2026
Zamula will head back to his native Russia to continue his playing career, after spending 9 years in North America.
He originally made the jump to play in the Western Hockey League, first with the Regina Pats, before a mid-season trade to the Calgary Hitmen. After his first season of junior hockey, the Philadelphia Flyers came calling; signing the undrafted defenseman to a three-year entry level contract.
They would allow him to continue to develop with the Hitmen, where he played two more years; totaling 19 goals and 102 points in 158 regular season games in the WHL.
At the conclusion of his junior career, Zamula turned pro and spent the next three years splitting time between the Flyers and their AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In all, he played 130 AHL games, scoring 5 goals and 56 points.
Ultimately, he was able to establish himself as a depth defenseman in the NHL. At the end of his ELC, he earned a one year extension, and then another for two years with the Flyers. But, as they transitioned through new management and a new coaching staff, his role diminished to the point where he needed a change of scenery.
This past season, the Flyers dealt Zamula to the Pittsburgh Penguins on New Years Eve. The Penguins wanted to send him back to the AHL, but he chose to terminate his contract, eying a better opportunity elsewhere.
That opportunity came with the Blue Jackets, who swooped in and signed him to a pro-rated $1 million dollar contract for the rest of the 2025-26 season.
Egor got his chance, but couldn't take advantage.
Zamula was given every opportunity with the Blue Jackets, but he just couldn't separate himself enough from Jake Christiansen to stick as a bottom pairing defenseman.
He has the size, skating, and all-around ability to leave you wanting so much more. But, to that point, he always left us wanting so much more. He was somewhat reliable, just not enough of a difference maker for a team that really needed help on its back-end.
Egor's final stat line with the Blue Jackets: 0 goals, 2 assists and a +2 rating in 20 games where he averaged 12:27 per night. Those are pretty forgettable statistics, if we're being honest. Maybe a return to Russia will help him rediscover his full potential.
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