Playing Career
Kozlov was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the first round as the sixth overall selection in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He would play a few seasons in San Jose before being traded to the Florida Panthers on November 13, 1997. It would be in Florida, playing with Pavel Bure, that Kozlov would have his best years. His best season was during the 1999–2000 season when he set career highs in assists and points. He played with the Panthers until March 1, 2004, when he was traded to the New Jersey Devils for Christian Berglund and Victor Uchevatov.
During the NHL lockout that wiped out the 2004–05 NHL season, Kozlov played for Lada Togliatti in the Russian Superleague (RSL). However, he returned to the Devils when the NHL started up again.
Kozlov was signed as a free agent by the New York Islanders in 2006. On December 3, 2006, he recorded his second career hat trick and first career four-goal game as the Islanders defeated the rival New York Rangers 7–4 at Madison Square Garden. The four goals gave him a total of six in a 24 hour period — he had scored twice the previous night in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.
On July 1, 2007, Kozlov signed a two-year contract with the Washington Capitals. On April 15, 2009, after 15 NHL seasons Kozlov scored his first playoff goal as a member of the Capitals.
On June 9, 2009, Salavat Yulaev Ufa signed Kozlov to a three-year contract.
Viktor scored his first career goal for the Sharks against Ed Belfour and the Chicago Blackhawks on March 21, 1995 in a 7-3 Sharks loss.
Read more about this topic: Viktor Kozlov
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