The 22-year-old Zlodeyev (sometimes spelled Zlodeev) was drafted in the 6th round in 2020. After several years moving between the KHL, VHL, and MHL, his stay in North America was brief. After spending last season on an AHL contract with the Canucks' affiliate in Abbotsford.
In early July, he was traded to Avangard Omsk, where he is now centering alongside another former Canucks prospect, Cole Cassels. Canucks Army's Cody Severtson reported on this move.
Though there was initial optimism about Zlodeyev, his AHL performance fell short of expectations. He had only 10 shots in his 21 games, and the Abbotsford Canucks were outscored 6-3 at 5-on-5 while he was on the ice.
Zlodeyev, who won a gold medal at the 2020 IIHF Hlinka Gretzky Cup with Russia's U18 team as an assistant captain, also secured the 2023 VHL Championship. While the Canucks organization has not officially confirmed Zlodeyev's departure, he is expected to join Avangard.