Report: Anders Nilsson declines KHL extension, may seek NHL return

Former New York Islanders goaltender Anders Nilsson is reportedly cutting ties with his KHL team.

Nilsson refused to sign a contract extension with Ak Bars Kazan and could seek a return to the NHL, according to Russian publication Gazeta Business Online.

The netminder's NHL rights are owned by the Chicago Blackhawks, who acquired them in the trade for defenseman Nick Leddy last October.

Nilsson signed a one-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan last May. He went 20-9-8 with a 1.71 goals-against average and .936 save percentage in 38 regular-season games, then went 13-7 in the playoffs with a 1.54 GAA and .935 save percentage.

The 25-year-old parted ways with the Islanders last spring after they declined to sign the restricted free agent to a one-year deal.

- With h/t to Igor Eronko