Firstov remained with Torpedo: the deal was canceled, but he earned 75 million dollars and achieved success in the playoffs.
The situation regarding Vladislav Firstov’s possible departure from Torpedo initially resembled a famous story of a supposed farewell that never happened. However, this uncertainty wasn’t due to the player’s will to leave, but rather because Lokomotiv suddenly decided to cancel the deal at the last moment. Yaroslavsky Club, which had been determined to sign the forward, had to pull back from the negotiations, forcing Torpedo to take action. The result was a new two-year contract signed.
The financial terms seem reasonable: guaranteed 75 million rubles, along with a bonus system based on points scored. In the current KHL season, this is a balanced risk-reward situation for both parties. Even during the regular season, Firstov openly expressed dissatisfaction with his playing role. The relationship with head coach Alexey Isakov wasn’t always easy either. The trade seemed almost inevitable until the deadline.
But the playoffs turned things upside down. The forward performed exceptionally well, becoming the team’s leading scorer. The conflict between the two teams turned into a competitive battle, while the uncertainty became stability. For Torpedo, this meant retaining a key attacking player without losing any assets. For the player, it meant confidence in the future and financial security.
In summary, a situation that could have led to losses for everyone turned into an opportunity to strengthen the team. My rating for this deal is 4.4 out of 5. The only downside is that trust had to be established during a crisis. But the overall performance and the closed transfer situation speak for themselves.