Burmistrov out of NHL, heading back to Russia

And like that, he’s gone. VANCOUVER A day after he was scratched in favour of a seventh defenceman, Alex Burmistrov was released by the Canucks.

Sunday morning, his agent Dan Milstein tweeted that Burmistrov was “retiring from the NHL,” but the Canucks later said he simply asked for his release.

“Alex made the decision to be released from his contract today in order to pursue a playing opportunity outside of the NHL,” Canucks general manager Jim Benning said in an emailed statement. “We’re supportive of his decision and wish the best for Alex.”

Milstein said Burmistrov was “thankful for the time and the opportunity in Vancouver.

“It’s time for him to go back home.”

Asked whether the recent lack of playing time for Burmistrov was a motivating factor in his leaving, Milstein declined to comment. He did say the move to leave the NHL had been in discussion for “three or four weeks.”

As for the timing, he said it was just coincidental after he was scratched from the lineup Saturday against the Blues.

He said Burmistrov didn’t have a team lined up yet in Russia, but an announcement would be made in a few days.

Burmistrov signed with the Canucks on a one-year deal for US$900,000 this summer after having been let go by the Arizona Coyotes. He also played for the Jets and one year for Atlanta before they moved to Winnipeg.

He played two seasons for Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL in 201314 and 2014-15 before returning to the Jets for the 2015-16 season.

Drafted eighth overall in 2010, he scored 37 goals in 348 NHL games.

He played 24 times for the Canucks, scoring two goals. He had been openly agitating about his role and his ice time in recent weeks.