Evgeny Artyukhin did an interview (in Russian) with RussianHockeyFans.com. Much like a New Jersey-based reporter asking Scott Niedermayer if he could possibly join the Devils this season,  this KHL-slanted interview yields some interesting answers. But Artyukhin makes it clear he’s not jumping ship any time soon: “I’m going to spend the rest of this season in the NHL fullfilling my contract, which expires this summer. And after it I will be open for offers, if I get any — I’m ready to get in talks.”

Also, 2009 draft pick Igor Bobkov began play for the Russian Junior Selects in Victoria last night, stopping 40 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Western Hockey League all-stars. Here’s the recap from the Victoria Times-Colonist:

Six-foot-four Russian goalkeeper Igor Bobkov, a 2009 Anaheim Ducks third-round draft pick from Metallurg Magnitogorsk, was outstanding in holding the WHL at bay for as long as he could.

The WHL, which held a glaring territorial advantage, finally broke through when Levko Koper, a seventh-round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers, snapped a wrist shot past Bobkov at 1:00 of the third period to make it 1-0.

“He [Bobkov] played great the whole game but we kept on doing what we were doing,” said Koper, who plays for the Spokane Chiefs.