A new report from Chris Johnston and Michael Russo of The Athletic shows that the NHL players who were involved with some serious allegations, though proven innocent are drawing interest from teams.
The hockey world was stunned with the news that several former NHL players were found innocent after some pretty serious allegations, and the question of where, or if their careers would begin again.
The five players; Carter Hart, Dylan Formenton, Cal Foote, Dylan Dube and Michael McLeod, are all free agents though currently barred from playing in the league according to an official statement.
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But the NHLPA is trying to get them back in the league, as they feel a second chance is potentially deserved.
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NHL players drawing interest despite ban
It seems like a cat and mouse game, but for arguments sake, if they are allowed back in, where would they go?
According to NHL Insiders Chris Johnston and Michael Russo, there are a few teams who might be able to argue bringing in one of the five if they're brought back:
In the meantime, there are certainly NHL executives with interest in signing some of the players.
A number of NHL teams could use an upgrade in goal, and Hart, 26, is a former No. 1 goaltender who showed flashes of great potential with the Philadelphia Flyers. McLeod and Dubé are forwards with multiple NHL seasons under their belts, with the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames, respectively.
Returns are less likely for Foote, a defenseman who previously bounced between the AHL and NHL, and Formenton, who spent parts of two seasons in Switzerland before stepping away from hockey in September of 2024 to take a job in construction.
McLeod and Dubé spent last season playing in the KHL, while Foote spent the year with a team in Slovakia.
Hart hasn't appeared in a professional game since his last start for Philadelphia in February of 2024 but continued to train on and off the ice during last season in Nashville while awaiting trial.
Why Toronto needs to avoid making a signing
It looks like if anyone, Hart would most likely get a job, though it's hard to gauge whether or not the fan backlash would be worth their value on the ice.
A team like the Maple Leafs may have someone like McLeod in mind; someone who could add some depth to their bottom-six, though the spotlight being so bright might lead to a lot of issues down the road.
While Brad Treliving is desperate to add, there's no one here who makes a big enough impact on the ice to warrant the fan response, a response that will be unrelenting.
Plus, they have other names in play like Jack Roslovic and Victor Olofsson; so even if there wasn't this baggage attached it would be hard to bring them in anyways.
So while there may be a home for one of these players yet, it shouldn't and won't be with the Maple Leafs.
That is, if they're allowed back at all.