Ex-Maple Leafs Prospect Heads Overseas After Being Unable to Find a New NHL Home as a UFA

After being drafted by the New York Islanders in the first round back in 2016, Kieffer Bellows wasn't able to live up to those lofty heights, and is now seeking a new career opportunity in Europe after signing a contract with Brynas IF in the Swedish Hockey League.

Bellows spent the first 4 years of his NHL career in Long Island where he scored 11 goals and 25 points in 68 games. His best season came in 2021-22 when he tallied 6 goals and 19 points in 45 games played.

He was then picked up on waivers by the Philadelphia Flyers, where scored 3 goals in 27 games played, while seeing just 9:47 TOI. He was not tendered a qualifying offer, so he then joined Carolina on a PTO but was released the following month, which is when Toronto came into the picture.

The Marlies brought Bellows in on a PTO before signing him to an AHL contract, where he did very well for himself after scoring 27 goals and 49 points in just 52 games during the 2023-24 campaign.

It was by far his most prolific season in the professional ranks, but he was not given an opportunity to see NHL ice with the Maple Leafs.

As a free agent in 2024, Bellows joined the Nashville Predators, where he scored 2 goals and 4 points in 19 NHL games and 15 goals and 31 points in 44 AHL games with the Milwaukee Admirals.

The 27-year-old was once again not retained by his club ahead of free agency and he has now decided to take his talents to Sweden after signing a contract with Brynas IF.

With Brynas, Bellows will be joining a roster with former Maple Leafs goaltender Erik Kallgren as well some former NHLers in Collin Delia, Jakob Silfverberg, Oskar Lindblom, and Robert Hagg.