<p>Acclaimed Russian prospect Roman Kantserov has decided to leap over to North America and join the <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks" target="_blank" >Blackhawks</a>.</p><p>Kantserov's Russian club, Magnitogorsk Metallurg, posted Friday that they and Kantserov have terminated his contract in the KHL (Russia's top pro league) so he can sign his NHL entry-level contract with the Hawks, the organization that drafted him in the second round three years ago.</p><p>His Magnitogorsk contract was already set to expire this summer, but this allows him and the Hawks to begin negotiations immediately. Hawks general manager Kyle Davidson said Tuesday those would occur over the next couple of weeks.</p><p>Kantserov has exploded into a star over the last two seasons, leading the KHL with 36 goals in 63 games this season while adding 28 assists (totaling 64 points). </p><p>His goal and point marks were the highest ever in the KHL by a player age 23 or younger, and he was the first 21-year-old to lead the league in goals since now-Wild star Kirill Kaprizov did so in 2019.</p><p>He's a likely bet to star in the Hawks' top six next season, shortly after turning 22 in September.