Ak Bars Kazan forward Artyom Galimov will miss approximately two months of the Kontinental Hockey League regular season after suffering a broken nose and an arm injury during a match against Metallurg, according to regional sports reports. The injury occurred in the second period when Metallurg defenseman Makar Khabarov delivered a check into the boards against Galimov in the offensive zone. No penalty was assessed on the play, and Galimov skated directly to the locker room, failing to return to the ice.
Surgery Planned in Kazan for Top Scorer
Galimov leads Ak Bars with four goals through the opening 10 games of the season, adding two assists for six total points. Head coach Anwar Gatiyatulin confirmed to regional sports media that the forward is scheduled for a surgical procedure on his nose in Kazan. Staff noted that the injury involves an area with restricted blood flow, complicating the healing process and necessitating an extended recovery window estimated at two months.
Ak Bars Restructures Lines for Traktor Matchup
Ak Bars enters its upcoming fixture holding third place in the Eastern Conference standings with 15 points through 11 games. Addressing the roster gap, defenseman Nikita Lyamkin told Вечерняя Казань that while Galimov represents a crucial component of the lineup, the team relies on a philosophy where every player is replaceable. The coaching staff now faces the task of restructuring the top-six forward lines ahead of a road matchup against Traktor on October 2 at 19:00 local time.
Galimov Misses Autumn Games After Injury
The two-month timeline sidelines Galimov through a substantial portion of the autumn schedule, halting a productive start to what marks a contract year for the forward. Ak Bars placed the player on the injured list following the Metallurg defeat, which ended in a 2-1 scoreline. The team prepares to face Traktor in Chelyabinsk as they look to maintain their position near the top of the conference without their primary goal scorer.
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