Maple Leafs Organization Loses Another Player to Top European League on Tuesday

According to recent reports from AHL beat writer Tony Androckitis, ex-Toronto Marlies forward Joseph Blandisi has agreed to a two-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL after having spent the last 4 years with the Maple Leafs organization.

Blandisi was a key cog on the offensive side of the puck for the Marlies, having accumulated 67 goals and 162 points in 232 games, which also included a career-best 25 goals and 59 points during the 2023-24 season.

The Markham, Ontario native was drafted in the 6th round by the Colorado Avalanche in 2012, however he was never offered a contract. He then joined the Buffalo Sabres on a training camp invitation in 2014, but was once again not offered a contract, so he returned to the Barrie Colts of the OHL.

He exploded to the tune of 52 goals and 112 points in 68 games, which earned him a lot more fanfare from NHL clubs, and in turn signed an entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils, where he spent parts of 3 seasons with both affiliates.

Blandisi would then split his time between affiliates in Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Montreal between 2017 to 2021, upon which he signed a PTO with the Marlies, where he's stuck around until now.

With Blandisi out of the fold, the Marlies veteran leadership group will look a little different this season, however, it should be headed by the likes of Matt Benning, Dakota Mermis, Alex Nylander, and Logan Shaw, among others.

As for the 31-year-old, there had been rumours earlier in the spring about his impending exit, and now it looks to be official as he is heading to the KHL to play SKA St. Petersburg.

With Blandisi in the fold, perhaps SKA St. Petersburg will bounce back in 2025-26, as they look for their first Gagarin Cup championship since the 2016-17 season when they were led by Ilya Kovalchuk.