DETROIT – Evgeny Svechnikov has experienced setbacks and struggles, highs and lows, since the Detroit Red Wings selected him 19th overall in 2015, but he is determined to make it to the NHL.

Svechnikov’s agent dismissed a Russian report that indicated the 6-3, 208-pound right wing will play in the KHL next season.

“There’s no truth in it,” Mark Gandler, Svechnikov’s agent, said. “Evgeny is totally committed to the Wings."

Russian Web site allhockey.ru, claimed Svechnikov will play for AK Bars Kazan next season. No source was cited. Russian media reports are notoriously unreliable.

Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin, the Grand Rapids Griffins’ GM, said he has received no indication Svechnikov is considering such a move.

Svechnikov has struggled to gain traction since his solid rookie season with the Griffins in 2016-17 (20 goals, 51 points). He missed all of 2018-19 due to ACL surgery after getting injured in the preseason and has 11 goals and 23 points in 45 games this season, having missed time with a wrist injury.

He has been playing better lately, including a five-game stretch with five goals and eight points from Feb. 8-18.

Svechnikov, 23, appeared in four games with the Red Wings in October (no points, minus-1, averaged 8:20 in ice time). He has played in 20 NHL games over parts of three seasons (two goals, two assists).

Svechnikov is in the final year of his entry-level contract and will be a restricted free agent after the season. He no longer is waiver-exempt next season.