According to reports, Zhukenov's former club, Automobilist Yekaterinburg, have decided to not match an offer sheet for the restricted free agent forward, which means he'll be suiting up for HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk starting next season.
Zhukenov, 26, was selected in the fourth round (114th overall) during the 2015 NHL Entry Draft by Vancouver, but after attending a couple of training camps with the Canucks and spending two seasons in the QMJHL, he decided to return to Russia.
In 15 KHL games last season with Automobilist Yekaterinburg, the Omsk native put up four points (two goals, two assists), two penalty minutes and was a plus-one. Zhukenov spent the majority of the 2022-23 season in the VHL, which is the Russian equivalent of the American Hockey League. In 32 games in the VHL, he recorded 15 points.
