Sudden Termination of Seven Ex-NHL Players' Contracts Sparks Major Controversy

When it comes to professional hockey, many NHL players choose to play in Europe rather than North America, especially if they don't have enough playing time in the NHL. Well-known nations like Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic have excellent professional hockey leagues where some of the top European players compete. Russia is one nation that has controlled professional hockey for many years; the KHL is arguably the second-highest league in the world.

In the 2024-25 season, Barys Astana has fired two head coaches and hired a new general manager. News of significant roster changes, including the addition of foreign players (those not from Russia), has now surfaced. Former NHL players Wade Allison, Nathan Beaulieu, Will Butcher, Chase De Leo, Alex Grant, Michael McLeod, and CJ Smith have had their contracts terminated as part of the actions.

Since the KHL option has been eliminated, it has already been mentioned that these players might move back to North America to play in the AHL. While AHL teams will bench veterans in favor of developing younger players, many veterans who have chosen to play in the KHL have stated that they do so because KHL teams aim to win. The AHL is entirely different from the KHL (and most other pro leagues) in that it prioritizes the development of young hockey players over winning games and titles.

However, McLeod's situation is more complicated because his chances of signing a new contract in North America have significantly decreased due to his ongoing legal battle.

He has three goals and six points overall from 16 games with Barys Astana, which is respectable for a player in his position. Although no explanation has been provided thus far, it appears that additional factors, possibly of a financial or administrative nature, may have contributed to his release along with that of the other foreigners.

Olympic champion and well-known Soviet hockey player Alexander Pashkov blasted the team's actions, stating that they should consider how the hockey community is interpreting the situation.

We will now need to wait for information regarding the fate of these seven players. It is possible that other KHL teams will sign them. But since August, when the 2024-25 season began, many teams have already used up all of their import players.