The Toronto Maple Leafs have had largely forgotten players don the blue and white over the years. Some have had brief stints, short enough to be nothing more than a blip on the team’s history books.
One such player was Nicolas Aube-Kubel.
The 30-year-old forward played in just one season in Toronto. He signed a one-year, $1 million contract in the summer of 2022.
The expectation was that Aube-Kubel could fill a depth spot in the bottom six. For the large part, that’s what he did. He appeared in a grand total of six games, failing to notch a point. He found himself on waivers, promptly getting scooped by the Washington Capitals.
Unfortunately for the former Leaf, he’s found himself as a journeyman. But that journey seems to have come to an end. Aube-Kubel played just six games for the Minnesota Wild last season, while racking up a respectable 15 goals and 37 points in 62 games with the AHL Iowa Wild.
Now, as a free agent, Aube-Kubel finds himself looking for a new home. And that home may be in the KHL.
A Russian-language report on the site bookmaker-ratings.ru discussed Aube-Kubel suddenly drawing interest from top KHL clubs. The publication caught up with Aube-Kubel’s overseas representative, Alexander Chernykh of WINNERS, who most notably represented Alexander Nikishin in Russia, and shed light on the interest Aube-Kubel has drawn this offseason.
“For now, we will neither confirm nor deny this information — let’s leave a little intrigue. There really is interest in Nicolas in the KHL, including from the top clubs in the league. We have enough offers. If he makes a choice in favor of the KHL, we expect to sign a contract in the near future.”
The comments, as translated with the help of AI-assisted tools, show that the second-round pick from 2014 is looking for one more shot. That’s why having a strong season overseas can lead to offers down the line.
Aube-Kubel seriously considering a move to KHL
While it’s not definitive that Aube-Kubel will be heading to Russia, his agent firmly believes that the former Maple Leafs forward could be looking to rekindle his career with one of Russia’s top teams.
“Yes, he is considering this option. Now Nicolas is deciding on the further continuation of his career and choosing between the KHL and other leagues. We hope that in the end he will make a decision in favor of the KHL.”
Whether or not Aube-Kubel actually departs North America largely depends on the offers out there. It doesn’t seem like he’ll be getting many calls from NHL clubs. Perhaps a full-time job in the AHL could lead to another NHL offer.
But if there’s a chance to play for a top team and even win a championship, that could be an attractive situation. Aube-Kubel would be a unique player insofar as winning a Stanley Cup and a KHL championship.
That could be the most interesting part of the former Maple Leafs forward’s legacy. Winning championships in different continents.
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