Two-time Gagarin Cup winner Zernov traded from CSKA to Ak Bars
In short
Denis Zernov, a two-time Gagarin Cup winner, has been traded from CSKA Moscow to Ak Bars Kazan. CSKA received monetary compensation, and Zernov's contract runs through the end of the current KHL season. Ak Bars general manager Marat Valiullin said Zernov will add creativity to the team's attack.
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CSKA Moscow has traded forward Denis Zernov to Ak Bars Kazan, according to reports from RIA Novosti, RBC and Kommersant. RBC said Zernov will continue his career at the Kazan club. Kommersant reported that CSKA's press service announced the trade. The trade was reported on October 7, 2026, with RIA Novosti publishing first at 13:46 local time, RBC at 13:48, and Kommersant at 14:49. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Kommersant reported that CSKA received monetary compensation in return for the 30-year-old forward. Zernov's contract with Ak Bars is set to run until the end of the current Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) season. No other terms of the trade were disclosed in the reports. [ 3 ]
Zernov has appeared in 658 KHL matches, scoring 145 goals and providing 155 assists, Kommersant reported. He is a two-time Gagarin Cup winner, having claimed the trophy in 2021 with Avangard Omsk and in 2024 with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. [ 3 ]
Ak Bars general manager Marat Valiullin said, according to Kommersant: “Zernov will add variability and creativity to our attack. He skates well, can fight for the puck, and plays with character. Denis is capable of performing different roles and expands the coaching staff's options in forming combinations.” Kommersant also noted that Ak Bars has 15 points from 13 games and sits third in the Eastern Conference standings. The team's next match is away against Severstal Cherepovets. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The trade adds an experienced forward to Ak Bars, which is currently third in the Eastern Conference. CSKA gains financial compensation. The move could affect both teams' performance in the ongoing KHL season.
Key facts
- Denis Zernov has moved from CSKA Moscow to Ak Bars Kazan in a trade. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- CSKA received monetary compensation in return. [ 3 ]
- Zernov's contract with Ak Bars runs until the end of the current KHL season. [ 3 ]
- Zernov is a two-time Gagarin Cup winner, having won in 2021 with Avangard Omsk and in 2024 with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. [ 3 ]
- In 658 KHL matches, Zernov scored 145 goals and recorded 155 assists. [ 3 ]
- Ak Bars general manager Marat Valiullin said Zernov will add variability and creativity to the attack. [ 3 ]
- Ak Bars has 15 points from 13 games and sits third in the Eastern Conference standings. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- CSKA received monetary compensation in the trade. Single-source claim from Kommersant; not confirmed by other outlets or an official source.
- Zernov's contract with Ak Bars runs until the end of the current KHL season. Reported only by Kommersant.
- Zernov's career statistics and Ak Bars' current standing. Reported only by Kommersant.