Former Maple Leafs Draft Pick Lands New Contract to Keep His Hockey Dream Alive
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dmytro Timashov has kept his hockey career chugging along after it was reported he signed back in the KHL.
Although he hasn't played in the NHL since 2021, Dmytro Timashov has done well for himself to continue his hockey career overseas, finding success in Europe over the past several seasons.
Last playing in Switzerland with Geneve Servette, Timashov was a free agent who was looking for a new deal, and just so happened to find one.
What This New Contract Means for His Ongoing Pro Career
According to Swedish news outlet Hockey Sverige, Timashov has found a new home in the KHL, signing with Admiral Vladivostok.
The move comes with Timashov wanting to be closer to home, as the forward told the outlet regarding his move back to Russia:
I want to play in the KHL to get closer to my family who live there. Then it felt good when I talked to the club GM and coach. It will be fun to play in the KHL again and, as I said, be close to my Russian family who I have barely seen since I moved to Sweden and was also in the USA.
Timashov is one of only a few SHL players to head over to Russia since the conflict with Ukraine started, and it seems the need to be closer to home was imperative for the Ukrainian forward.
Clearly he's good enough to earn a spot in Europe's biggest hockey league, and could translate a strong season into an even better deal next year.
Why Timashov's Journey Still Resonates With Maple Leafs Fans
Drafted 125th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2015, he spent three seasons with the Marlies before playing in one season with the senior club. Timashov skated in 39 games and had nine points (4 goals, 5 assists) before heading to Detroit, and finally in New York with the Islanders.
It shows that regardless of his NHL dreams falling a bit short, it was never about the fame or fortune for Timashov, and wanted to do himself and his family proud playing in North America.
His career path seems similar to another prospect in Semyon Der-Arguchintsev. The Russian forward had a brief stint in North America before heading overseas back to the KHL, though Toronto still has his rights.
It's totally possible that he could earn a job back with the team if he ends up exploding much like former Leaf Josh Leivo did.
But for now, the focus is on playing hockey in Russia and being close to his family, and for Timashov that's perfectly alright by him.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 18 | 1069 ANSWERS Former Maple Leafs Draft Pick Lands New Contract to Keep His Hockey Dream Alive Will Dmytro Timashov return to the NHL one day? | ||
| Yes | 261 | 24.4 % |
| No | 808 | 75.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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