As the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) gears up for the 2026-27 season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have made a strategic move involving one of their top prospects. Pyotr Andreyanov, selected 20th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, has been loaned to HK Sochi by CSKA Moskva. This transition was confirmed by the KHL just ahead of the season's commencement this weekend.
Andreyanov has spent the last three seasons developing his skills with CSKA’s MHL affiliate, Krasnaya Armiya Moskva. His performance in the MHL has been noteworthy, culminating in a record of 45 wins, 22 losses, and 9 overtime losses, along with an impressive .928 save percentage and a goals against average (GAA) of 2.31. His development has included a stint in the VHL with Zvezda Moskva, where he gained valuable experience at a higher level of competition.
Last season, Andreyanov's statistics saw a regression, which was anticipated given his exceptional performance in the 2024-25 season, where he posted a GAA of 1.75 and a .942 save percentage over 37 games. Despite his prowess in goal, he managed only three shutouts, a statistic that seemed disproportionate to his overall effectiveness. In the 2025-26 season, his GAA increased to 2.59, and his save percentage dipped to .919, yet these figures still reflect a solid performance for a young goaltender.
CSKA Moskva, often referred to as the Red Army in the United States, is set to utilize a goaltending tandem of New York Islanders prospect Dmitri Gamzin and veteran Alexander Samsonov in the upcoming season. Gamzin had a stellar previous season, boasting a record of 22 wins, 10 losses, and 6 overtime losses, along with a remarkable GAA of 1.49 and .938 save percentage. Samsonov, on the other hand, brings experience and reliability to the net, providing a strong backup option.
For Andreyanov, the competition for the starting position at HK Sochi will be intense, particularly from veteran netminder Ivan Bocharov. Bocharov, who previously played for Dynamo Moskva, had a less-than-stellar season last year with Lada Togliatti but is eager to reclaim his status as a top goaltender in the KHL. Other goalies like Alexei Shchetilin and Damir Shaiardanov are also in the mix, though they are not expected to challenge Andreyanov significantly for playing time.
The loan to HK Sochi is a calculated decision by CSKA Moskva, aimed at giving Andreyanov crucial KHL experience before potentially integrating him into their main roster. Unfortunately for Blue Jackets fans, Andreyanov is under contract with CSKA through the 2029-30 season, meaning his transition to North America may still be a few years away. Nevertheless, this loan will provide valuable insights into his readiness for the NHL when the time comes for his eventual move.
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