"Ak Bars" is still modest in the market: why do Kazan need 37-year-old Andrey Stas?

      The ex-forward of Minsk's "Dynamo" is heading to Tatarstan for the role of Mikhail Fisenko?

      Photo: Dinar Fatykhov

      37-year-old forward Andrei Stas is more likely to continue his career at "Ak Bars." In the near future, the Kazan team is expected to officially announce the transfer of the Belarusian forward. The material from "Realnoe Vremya" explores why "Ak Bars" needs Stas.

      Did "Ak Bars" indirectly announce Stas's transfer with a video featuring Alistrov?

      The first rumors about "Ak Bars" planning to acquire forward Andrei Stas emerged in the first half of August. Last week, they took on a more concrete form with clear outlines. The Belarusian publication "Pressball" reports that the player and the Kazan club have almost reached an agreement on a one-year contract. The forward's salary in the capital of Tatarstan during this period will be 10-15 million rubles. Dinar Fatykhov / realnoevremya.ru It is clear that in the age of endless insider information and transfer rumors, one must approach such information with extreme caution and awareness. However, it seems that "Ak Bars" is slowly lifting the veil on this deal. Recently, the press service of the Kazan club posted a video on their social media where Belarusian forward Vladimir Alistrov recalls all the Belarusians who have ever played in "Ak Bars" jerseys. Given the ingenuity and subtlety of the "bars" media staff, it is unlikely that this video was posted without any underlying meaning or by chance. Andrei Stas's arrival in the capital of Tatarstan seems to be a matter of the coming week.

      Stas arrives at "Ak Bars" to fill Mikhail Fisenko's role

      Why does the 37-year-old forward need the Kazan team? Perhaps the answer lies in the fact that "Ak Bars" was unable to reach an agreement on extending the contract with forward Mikhail Fisenko. The 36-year-old hockey player was expected to be part of the team and was not against extending his contract for one season. However, Fisenko did not provide a specific answer to "Ak Bars" regarding his contract by August, nor did he officially announce his decision to end his playing career. The club delayed as much as it could in searching for a central forward for the third line, but they could not wait any longer. The new KHL season starts in just two weeks. Dinar Fatykhov / realnoevremya.ru Yes, in fact, Andrei Stas is coming to "Ak Bars" to take Mikhail Fisenko's place. He is an experienced, seasoned hockey player who has seen a lot in the league and has authority. Stas was the first among Belarusian hockey players to reach the milestone of 1000 games played in the KHL. During the series against "Ak Bars" in the second round of the Gagarin Cup playoffs last season, the forward was honored at "Minsk Arena" for this achievement. Just like in the case of Alexey Byvaltsov, the head coach of "Ak Bars," Anvar Gatiyatulin, was clearly interested in Stas's candidacy. The coach had previously worked with the forward at "Traktor." Stas is quite a viable option for the lower lines. Moreover, Andrei's authority will allow him to maintain the locker room in "Ak Bars." This offseason, we saw how much the Kazan roster has changed compared to last year. Many former leaders have left, and the coaching staff of "Ak Bars" is actively introducing young players from the local system. Undoubtedly, Gatiyatulin needs a proven reliable player who will serve as a bridge between the coach and the other hockey players.

      

      

      Very modest summer transfer campaign by "Ak Bars"

      Expecting scoring feats from Stas in the new KHL season is foolish and naive. He is coming to "Ak Bars" for a specific role and tasks. If Alexey Byvaltsov is actively being prepared for the second line, then Stas and Katalevsky will be centering the lower lines of the team. Dinar Fatykhov / realnoevremya.ru It is interesting to see if "Ak Bars" will make any more transfers before the end of August. So far, the only newcomer to the Kazan club is Alexey Byvaltsov. Even if "Ak Bars" signs Stas, it will still be difficult to call the club's transfer campaign satisfactory. In principle, "Ak Bars" has not had such a meager strengthening in at least the last 5-6 summer offseasons. It is even interesting to find out if the club has ever worked more modestly in the transfer market during the summer throughout its entire history in the KHL? We are not saying that Byvaltsov and Stas are weak or bad hockey players. It’s just that against the backdrop of the departures of Yashkin, Barabanov, Todd, Safonov, and other former leaders, it is impossible to compensate for the team's level and maintain the high status of "Ak Bars" as an organization with such new names.

      Evgeny Romanov

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       More news about the event:

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       "Ak Bars" lost Terekhova and Yarullin due to injuries before the start of the season

       Both hockey players were injured during preseason training

      Photo: Realnoe Vremya

      Kazan's "Ak Bars" faced personnel losses before the start of the new season.20:50 17.08.2026 Realnoe Vremya - Kazan

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       "Rubin" prepared a concert and fireworks for fans on City Day

       The football club "Rubin" included the match of the Russian championship against Makhachkala's "Dynamo" in the program for the City Day celebration

      Photo: 17:18 17.08.2026 Realnoe Vremya - Kazan

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       "Ak Bars" may strengthen with forward Ivan Morozov

       Kazan's "Ak Bars" may acquire forward Ivan Morozov. The parties are discussing a possible transfer of the 26-year-old forward, reports "Championat."16:56 17.08.2026 GTRK Tatarstan - Kazan

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       Forward Ivan Morozov is close to transferring to "Ak Bars"

       The rights to the 26-year-old forward in the KHL belong to "Spartak." The player may transfer to "Ak Bars."16:52 17.08.2026 Komsomolskaya Pravda Kazan - Kazan

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       "Ak Bars" is interested in Spartak's forward Morozov

       According to the source, the parties are already discussing options for a future deal

      Photo: taken from ak-bars.ru

      "Ak Bars" is interested in signing Spartak's forward Ivan Morozov.16:08 17.08.2026 Realnoe Vremya - Kazan

      

      

      

      

      

      

       "Ak Bars" is still modest in the market: why do the Kazan team need 37-year-old Andrei Stas?

       The ex-forward of Minsk's "Dynamo" is heading to Tatarstan for the role of Mikhail Fisenko?14:58 17.08.2026 Realnoe Vremya - Kazan

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       Ivan Morozov may transfer to "Ak Bars": the parties are negotiating

       As "Championat" learned, forward Ivan Morozov is close to transferring to Kazan's "Ak Bars."14:14 17.08.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       Expert explained why NHL star Tarasenko will not transfer to "Ak Bars"

       The ex-president of "Avangard," Sushinsky, doubted the capabilities of the Kazan hockey club

      Photo: Dinar Fatykhov

      The ex-president of "Avangard," Sushinsky, doubted "Ak Bars'" ability to sign forward Vladimir Tarasenko.12:36 17.08.2026 Realnoe Vremya - Kazan

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       Varitsky: "Doubtful" — about Kane and Tarasenko in "Ak Bars"

       Famous hockey manager Igor Varitsky assessed the likelihood of Evander Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko transferring to Kazan's "Ak Bars" in an interview with "Championat."11:43 17.08.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan