Chicago Blackhawks’ place Pavel Gogolev on waivers for contract termination

The Chicago Blackhawks announced today that they have placed forward Pavel Gogolev on waivers for purpose of contract termination. Gogolev had one year remaining on his entry-level contract after the 2022-23 campaign. According to CapFriendly, he has a cap hit of $834,167.

The 23-year-old was recently acquired by the Blackhawks in the Sam Lafferty and Jake McCabe trade. He has notched 48 points (21 goals, 27 assists) in 33 games this season while playing for the Newfoundland Growlers of the ECHL. It should be noted that Gogolev did post on his social media Instagram account that he would be returning to Newfoundland on what is presumed to be an AHL deal. 

Born in Moscow, Russia, Gogolev actually played some of his minor hockey for the Pursuit of Excellence program in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. In 2016, Gogolev was drafted first round, 8th overall by the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League. During his rookie campaign, he recorded 11 points in 53 games but it was the following season that he would gain traction in the prospects system. He put up 30 goals and 47 points in 66 games. In 2018-19, he was dealt to the Guelph Storm where he would bell the Storm to capture the OHL Championship. In his final season in the OHL, a season that was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, he totalled 96 points (45 goals, 51 assists) in 63 games and was named to the OHL’s Third All-Star Team.

Since graduating from major junior, he has spent time in both the AHL with the Toronto Marlies and the ECHL with the Growlers. Both Toronto Maple Leafs’ minor league affiliates. His AHL totals include 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 47 games with the Marlies and Rockford Ice Hogs.