Former Maple Leafs forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel has signed a deal with Dinamo Minsk which will see him enter the KHL after only four years removed from winning a Cup.
Aube-Kubel, 30, signed a one year deal on Aug. 16 with Minsk after being unable to secure an NHL deal. He posted two points in six games during 2025-26 for the Minnesota Wild, and has only played a combined 28 games over the past two seasons.
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Nicolas Aubé-Kubel arrived in Toronto after winning a Stanley Cup and lasted only six games
The eight-year veteran has been around quite a bit in his career, having played with Philadelphia, Washington, Colorado, Buffalo, Toronto, Minnesota, and New York (Rangers). He has 82 career points in 310 games - though did win a Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2021-22, so Minsk is adding a proven winner to their roster.
His time in Toronto was a very short one, as he only lasted six games before being played on waivers and subsequently claimed by the Washington Capitals, where he played in 47 games and recorded four goals and 12 points.
Brought in only weeks after winning the Cup with the Avalanche, the Maple Leafs were hoping that Aube-Kubel would be a physical and energetic bottom-six forward however decided to move on for either roster or cap purposes - leaving him open for anyone to pick him up.
He was waived in favour of Wayne Simmonds as the latter was recalled the same day, and the Maple Leafs may have preferred Simmonds' veteran leadership and physicality over Aube-Kubel.
Aube-Kubel's post-Cup career became a struggle to hold onto an NHL job
He found more stability in Washington, recording 16 points in 60 games during 2023-24 before moving on in free agency and signing with the Buffalo Sabres.
Aube-Kubel lasted less than a year in Buffalo as he was traded on March 7, 2025 to the New York Rangers for Erik Brannstrom then signed as a free agent with Minnesota last summer. Though he has never been a star player, Aube-Kubel has consistently provided a physical bottom-six presence who does have a Stanley Cup to his name.
Speaking of, most fans may remember Aube-Kubel as the player who fell while hoisting the Cup, leading it to have some repairs after the bottom was dented:
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The KHL move does not necessarily close the door on an NHL return, but it does mark a striking shift: Aube-Kubel went from winning the Stanley Cup in 2022 to fighting for NHL depth jobs, then to leaving North America four years later.
Despite lifting (and dropping) the Stanley Cup, Aube-Kubel's NHL career never really found the heights it once did only a few short years ago, and shows just how quickly an NHL career can bring you the highest of highs, then bring you back down to Earth just as fast.
Do you think Nicolas Aubé-Kubel will get an NHL contract after playing overseas?
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