Tikhonov agreed to a contract Sunday with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL.

EDGE Analysis

After spending the previous six seasons in the KHL, Tikhonov agreed to a deal with the Blackhawks last summer, but was waived after going scoreless in 11 games. He ended up latching on with the Coyotes and didn't deliver much better results, compiling three goals and three assists in 39 games. Given the lack of success he experienced in the NHL, it's not overly surprising that the 28-year-old decided to head back to the KHL, where he could very well stay for the remainder of his career.

Tikhonov fired five shots on goal during a 3-2 overtime loss to Vancouver Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Skating on the second line in the absence of Jiri Sekac, Tikhonov recorded his highest shot total of the season. He also logged 14:00 on the ice -- his highest total since Jan. 23. The 27-year-old was held without a point, but nearly scored on a breakaway chance in the first period. With just five points this season, Tikhonov doesn't hold much fantasy value, but could see a bump if he continues skating on the second line.

Tikhonov (lower body) will be in the lineup for Tuesday's tilt against the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Tikhonov will likely be skating on the Coyotes' fourth forward line alongside Kyle Chipchura and Boyd Gordon. The 27-year-old Latvian winger has notched two goals and one assist in 31 games with Arizona and Chicago this season.

Tikhonov will not play Tuesday against the Jets and is considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Sarah McLellan of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear when Tikhonov suffered the injury, but Christian Thomas now seems to be in line for unexpected playing time Tuesday. The next opportunity for Tikhonov to return will be against the Kings on Feb. 2.

Tikhonov will center Arizona's first line Friday against Minnesota.

EDGE Analysis

Tikhonov was drafted as a center in 2008 by the Coyotes, but he has played wing exclusively this season. Friday will be Tikhonov's second game since his return to the Coyotes organization, and he will have a great opportunity to get on the score sheet for the first time this season while centering Max Domi and Mikkel Boedker on the top line.

Tikhonov was claimed off waivers by the Coyotes on Sunday, Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports 98.7 reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tikhonov had lost his role in Chicago after a strong run in the KHL, sitting as a healthy scratch for six straight games, and will look for a new one in Arizona, the team that drafted him in 2008.

The Blackhawks placed Tikhonov on waivers Saturday, Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tikhonov has shown that he can be a solid NHL contributor in the past, but hasn't been able to carve out a role with the Hawks this season, and has been a healthy scratch for Chicago's last six games. The 27-year-old winger's placement on waivers could signal the impending return of Bryan Bickell, who has tallied 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) in 12 games with AHL Rockford since being demoted on Nov. 2. If Tikhonov clears waivers, he'll head to AHL Rockford, however, it wouldn't be surprising if the former first-round pick is claimed by another NHL club.

Tikhonov signed a one-year, $1.04 million contract with the Blackhawks on Wednesday, The Hockey News reports. After suiting up for St. Petersburg in the KHL for the last four seasons, Tikhonov was apparently quite eager to test himself in North America, as he reportedly took a $2 million pay cut to leave Russia. With the Blackhawks desperate to create cap room for the start of the coming season, the low-cost signing Tikhonov could be exactly what they need to create salary relief. Despite his minimal price, Tikhonov isn't completely bereft of value, as he was a former first-round selection by the Coyotes in 2008 and showed some scoring ability with St. Petersburg last season, supplying eight goals and 16 assists in 49 games. The Blackhawks will take a long look at him during training camp and see where he fits in best.

Tikhonov, who was the Coyotes' second pick in the 2008 NHL draft and has been playing in Russia, has indicated he would like to return to the NHL. The Coyotes' hold his rights until July 1 when he would become a free agent.Tikhonov has eight goals and 24 points in 45 games this season in the KHL and has not played in North America since 2010-11 when he spent the season with AHL San Antonio. Tikhonov's agent reports he is significantly bigger than he was when he was with Arizona. The 26 year-old could test free agency rather than return to the Coyotes.

Viktor Tikhonov will remain in the KHL for the 2014-15 season. Tikhonov was selected in the first round, 28th overall in the 2008 Draft and played 61 NHL games that season but has not been back in the NHL since as he played some in the minors before the Coyotes loaned him to the KHL. He has one year remaining at $3.1 million in a contract that he apparently cannot get out of. The Coyotes will continue to hold his NHL rights until the summer of 2015 when he will become a UFA.