JM_

yeah it confused me too because I don't think under the CBA Tryamkin is considered to be a "defected" player, but maybe thats why its indefinite? or CF is wrong. 

But if CF is correct that kind of makes things interesting if Nik can't ever be an NHL free agent. 

Couldn't find anything official, but from what I can tell, because the KHL doesn't have an official transfer agreement, the NHL team retains the rights to a player that signs there indefinitely.  However, (and this is where I'm using blind trust from a post on the internet) if a player signed any sort of contract with the NHL club at any time, that player can become a UFA when they are old enough to become a UFA (so 27).

My expectations would be that Zhukenov is Canucks property for as long as they keep him on their reserve list.  Tryamkin will be until he's 27.

So looking at the CBA this is why I don't think Nik is considered "defected" - so maybe CF is correct and we have his rights indefinitely. 

p33 of the CBA

10.2 (b)(i) (C) A Player who plays out his final season and enters into a contract for a period including the following season with an unaffiliated club or with any other professional hockey club shall not be deemed to be a "Defected Player"

and then on p34 of the CBA:

Application of League By-Law Section 15. Anything to the contrary in this Section 10.2(b) notwithstanding, until all of the conditions specified in Section 10.2(b)(ii) have occurred, the Club with which any Player covered by Section 10.2(b)(i) was last under SPC, or in the case of defected Players referred to in Section 10.2(b)(i)(C), the Club which now or hereafter owns, through an NHL Entry Draft or through a proper transfer or assignment from another Club or otherwise, the professional rights or the right to negotiate for said professional rights, shall be deemed to continue to hold such professional or negotiating rights and the provisions of League By-Law Section 15 shall be applicable.