Daniel Sprong with CSKA Moscow.

Photo credit: KHL

KHL club CSKA Moscow have commented on the ongoing situation involving former Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sprong as he hit the double digit mark as a healthy scratch.

Sprong got off to a great start in the KHL and in the first two-and-a-half months of the 2025-26 campaign, the Amsterdam, Netherlands native registered 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 29 games, however in late-November, things went south.

CSKA Moscow comments on the Daniel Sprong situation after being a healthy scratch again

CSKA Moscow returned to action on Sunday as they battled their rivals, Spartak Moscow, and for a tenth consecutive game, Daniel Sprong was forced to watch from the stands.

There’s been a lot of talk regarding Sprong’s situation, especially in Russia, when it comes to him potentially being a trade chip for CSKA Moscow ahead of the deadline and recently, the team’s president and head coach commented on the matter.

Team president Igor Yesmantovich said that Sprong hasn’t done enough to be a star for the club or in the KHL and needs to work on being a leader, while head coach Igor Nikitin didn’t want anything to do with what he called “gossip”.

“It’s not enough to be a star, you have to be a leader. You can score for clubs that are outside the top eight, or you can score for those who are leading. Nikitin hit the spot here.” Yesmantovich said.

Nikitin added, “What about Sprong? I just don’t know the news. If they were, I would know. And I’m definitely not going to comment on gossip.”

Despite not playing since late November, Sprong remains CSKA Moscow’s leader in goals and points, and hopefully both sides are able to resolve the current situation sooner rather than later and if they don’t plan on using the former Canuck going forward, then they need to trade him so he can play.

Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily

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KHL release statement on situation involving former Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sprong

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