Seven Former NHL Players Contracts Abruptly Terminated, Sparking Controversy and Speculation

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Chris Gerics
October 17, 2024 (4:23 PM)

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In a stunning turn of events, former NHL player Michael McLeod as well as seven other imports had their contracts terminated by KHL team Barys Astana on Thursday.

Many NHL players don't necessarily cut in North America and decide to take the European route when it comes to pro hockey. Obvious countries like Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic have fantastic pro hockey leagues with some of the world's best European players plying their trade. One country that has had a stranglehold on pro hockey for decades is Russia, with the KHL arguably the 2nd-highest pro hockey league in the world.

So with several players trying to earn their stripes in Russia, it was a shocking surprise to learn that they would no longer be able to effective immediately. It was reported by Tony Androck on social media that seven players were terminated from their KHL team Barys Astana on Thursday:

Questions immediately arose regarding the situation surrounding the releases, and while there is no concrete evidence given, speculation has run rampant:

It could be nothing more than a business decision from the team as a cost-cutting measure, but it is curious now that with the North American stars being shipped out the remainder of the roster is predominately Kazakhstani players with a handful of Russians and one Swedish player left. Perhaps the team based in Astana, Kazakhstan wanted to keep a more local identity. No one knows for certain, but who exactly were the players let go?

Wade Allison

Wade Allison, drafted in the 2nd round, 52nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2016 never really had the NHL career he envisioned since being drafted, and bounced around the AHL with a few call-ups in between. His best season was in 2022-2023 for the Flyers where he scored nine goals and six assists in 60 games for the team before heading to the AHL. In 12 games this year for Astana, he scored two goals with no assists.

Nathan Beaulieu

Nathan Beaulieu, drafted 17th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2011 enjoyed a solid NHL career that spanned 12 seasons with time spent with Montreal, Buffalo, Winnipeg, and Anaheim before heading to Barys Astana. In 471 career NHL games, he scored 12 goals and 86 assists and had one assist in eight games this season in the KHL. A 6'1, 202-pound defenseman, Beaulieu was known for throwing his body around and bringing intimidation to the ice whenever he stepped foot onto it.

Will Butcher

Butcher had a lot of hype surrounding him when he came into the NHL. Drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2013, the American defenseman had a stellar NCAA career where he won the Hobey Baker Award in 2016-2017 for the league's best player. Signing with the New Jersey Devils shortly after as a free agent, he came in and had a very solid five seasons with the Devils and Buffalo Sabres.

For his career, he has scored 114 points in 275 games (16G, 98A) including a 44-point rookie campaign, and made the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2018. Finding himself lower in the depth chart, he bounced around between Dallas' AHL affiliate and then traded to Minnesota from Pittsburgh (where he signed in the offseason) where he never played with the main squad. He signed this season with Barys Astana and had three assists in 15 games.

Chase De Leo

De Leo never really did much for his career since being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets 99th overall in 2014. Playing only seven career NHL games without registering a point, he never latched onto the club and spent his time in the AHL where he tore it up, scoring 135 goals and 214 assists in 494 games and was a known offensive threat in the WHL before he was drafted.

Signing with Barys Astana this offseason, he played in nine games for the team but didn't register a point going minus-7.

Alex Grant

Grant, drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007 only played in seven NHL games as well, nabbing two goals; both with Anaheim in 2013. A lifelong AHLer, Grant was a known offensive threat during his time there, including scoring 17 goals with the Providence Bruins in 2017. Heading to Europe in 2018, Grant played with Jokerit Helsinki, SKA St. Petersburg, and Barys Astana over seven seasons.

This season, he did not register a point with Astana, skating in only two games and not being a factor much in the team's game plan.

Michael McLeod

The most surprising name on this list, McLeod is a former 12th overall pick of the New Jersey Devils back in 2016 and had a decent tenure with the club, scoring 29 goals and 56 assists in 287 games for the Devils, having his best season in 2022-2023 where he had 26 points in 80 games.

The Devils decided not to keep McLeod after he was involved in the allegations regarding his role in a criminal investigation involving himself and four other players and he signed with Barys Astana this summer.

He managed three goals and three assists in 16 games with the club before being terminated.

C.J. Smith

Smith, an undrafted winger who signed with the Buffalo Sabres in 2017 didn't play much in the NHL only registering three points in 15 games, but was one of the best American-born players during his time at UMass-Lowell, scoring 124 points in 120 games. Signing with the Hurricanes in 2021, he never got a spot on their team either, and spent his time in the AHL before leaving for Sweden in 2023-2024 then heading to the KHL this season.

He did not register a point in nine games with Barys Astana.

It's unknown if these players will find work in North America or Europe, but it's never a positive to hear about anyone losing their job and their livelihood.