The co-agent for Russian freight train Evgeny Artyukhin said Tuesday that his client is in the process of signing a two-year, $1.9-million contract (NHL rules prevented him from doing that until Tuesday). But even if he signs the deal that will pay $900,000 next season, paperwork needed from Russia can hold up the process.

Todd Diamond said the NHL is requiring all players coming from Russia to provide a note from the Russian league now called the Continental Hockey League (thanks for the reminder, Geografer, I'm a little scattered, today) that proves the player is no longer under contract to a Russian team. Mark Gandler, Artyukhin's other agent, said he has asked Artyukhin to send him his prior contract with Russia's Central Army team to prove it has expired.

"If I get a copy of the contract tomorrow, then it will get done tomorrow," Gandler said. "If not, it will take another few days to get the note."