Chase De Leo Expected To Sign In KHL

September 7: De Leo has officially signed with Barys Astana, per a team announcement.  He receives a one-year deal.

August 24: After spending the last two full seasons in the minors, it appears that UFA forward Chase De Leo is opting to try his hand overseas.  Sport-Express’ Ivan Bohun reports that De Leo is expected to sign a one-year contract with Barys Astana of the KHL.

The 28-year-old has been a quality producer in the AHL for the past nine seasons, including 2023-24 when he put up 15 goals and 33 assists in 52 games with San Diego, good for third on Anaheim’s farm team in scoring despite missing 20 games.  However, despite the solid production, none of those games missed were due to an NHL opportunity but rather an injury.

For his career, De Leo has 135 goals and 214 assists in 494 AHL appearances.  But that level of production hasn’t yielded much of an opportunity at the top level.  While he has seen NHL action in five seasons (most recently in 2021-22 with New Jersey), his total number of NHL contests is only seven where he wasn’t able to hit the scoresheet.

De Leo has been subject to the AHL veteran rule for the past three seasons, a restriction that often makes it difficult for older players to find another opportunity at that level.  Whether that’s the reason for De Leo’s expected signing with Astana or whether he just wants to try another league, it appears his time in North America is coming to an end for the time being.