After some lukewarm interest from the Carolina Hurricanes, Michael McLeod’s comeback bid to the NHL will prove unsuccessful. He will return to the organization where he played last season, as the KHL announced a three-year deal for McLeod with Avangard Omsk.
Toward the beginning of training camp, reports indicated that McLeod would inevitably sign with the Hurricanes to return to the North American professional circuit. Still, since the NHL determined that none of the acquitted players from the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial could sign until October 15th, it gave Carolina plenty of time to change their mind.
The Hurricanes faced significant backlash from fans over their decision to target McLeod and former Philadelphia Flyer Carter Hart after they became eligible to return. Carolina pivoted relatively quickly, with TSN’s Chris Johnston saying the two sides couldn’t “get to something both sides would be comfortable with.”
Now, McLeod will return to Russia on a relatively lengthy three-year pact with Avangard Omsk. He spent much of last season with the team, scoring three goals and 13 points in 19 games, and another three goals and six points in 13 games for Barys Astana. He had much improved offensive production in the Gagarin Cup playoffs, tallying one goal and eight points in nine postseason contests.
Avangard Omsk doesn’t have much in the way of former NHL talent outside of McLeod, though they do have former three-time AHL scoring champion Andrew Poturalski and former first overall pick Nail Yakupov. Additionally, the team is coached by Guy Boucher, former head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators.
Rightly or not, it’s going to be difficult for these guys to find NHL jobs, think the blowback will be too much. It’s very much a family fanbase and with young kids so connected to social media, I don’t think parents are keen to explain to their kids what allegedly happened.
sounds more like by court findings that there isn’t much too explain, the woman consented til she woke up and decided after the fact she changed her mind
It’s not about their guilt or innocence. Teams just don’t want to deal with the PR headache.
It kinda seems to me that when the phrase “the woman consented til she woke up” is used, that there is actually “much too explain “.
These men deserve a legit second chance. Is the legal system taking seriously the false allegations issued throughout the trial?
Possibly, but that doesn’t matter wrt their NHL careers. In the eyes of the public they’re guilty as can be and businesses show time and time again that they’re not willing to take these types of risks.
its literally Patrick Kane 2.0 but with 5 names this time, though in Kane’s case the DNA evidence determined Kane didn’t match any of the 3 male DNA inside her, then with these guys the woman consented then decided later when she woke up and sobered up that she changed her mind, so its very sad how 5 guys careers were affected by someone who’s next step would be to attempt a lawsuit to Gold Dig like Kane’s accuser tried and failed
Well said, NSco. The judicial system needs to catch up with the times – equality.
if there was an opening on the Blackhawks lineup i wouldnt be opposed to the team giving a second chance but there’s too much youth close to being NHL regulars possibly after the deadline ill add that it wouldn’t make much sense
Carolina caved in to their few fans who clearly didn’t pay attention to the case or court findings, the literal bunch of jerks