Former Maple Leafs Winger Has Contract Terminated Under Ridiculous Circumsrances

It's been quite some time since Josh Leivo skated in a Maple Leafs uniform. In fact, Leivo has not been a Maple Leaf since the 2018-19 season, at which point, he became somewhat of a journeyman forward with a lot of stops before bolting for the KHL in 2023-24.

Prior to joining Ufa Salavat Yulayev, Leivo made NHL stops in Vancouver, Calgary, Carolina, and St. Louis, while also seeing some AHL action with the Chicago Wolves and Springfield Thunderbirds.

While Leivo had experienced varying levels of success over the years, nothing could have prepared him or anyone else for the breakout year he had in 2024-25 with Salavat Yulayev, when he set the KHL goal scoring record, notching 49 goals in 62 games.

After setting a KHL record last season, many were surprised to learn this week that Salavat Yulayev was attempting to terminate Leivo's contract -- and the reason for the termination is absurd. Leivo was unable to report for training camp due to a work visa issue.

On Wednesday, a report from Tony Androckitis has confirmed that Ufa has indeed terminated Leivo's contract.

Per Androckitis, Leivo already has a new home lined up with rival KHL club, Traktor Chelyabinsk. Traktor has moved Mike Vecchione to create the necessary room to bring Leivo into the fold.

All eyes will be on Leivo this season to see if he can replicate a similar level of offensive success this season with another KHL organization. Granted, it almost assuredly won't be another 49-goal campaign, especially because nothing in his scoring history suggests that he's capable of repeating that feat.

Leivo, now 32, could conceivably put himself back on the radar for NHL clubs with another strong offensive season in 2025-26.