The Toronto Marlies have gone on quite a run to the Calder Cup Finals, where they are currently up 1-0, and the shining star, Vinni Lettieri, has already got the rumours swirling.
Lettieri had an incredible two-goal performance in Game One of the Calder Cup Final to put him at 20 points through 19 games, with an even 10 assists and 10 goals at over a point-per-game pace, and has recently been linked to a move to the KHL.
An Elite Prospects rumour links Lettieri to Dynamo Moskva of the KHL.
He has been linked to Dynamo Moskva of the KHL/ Russian league, who finished in a three-way tie for fifth in the Western Division. The UDFA has played in 155 games over seven seasons in the NHL and could add needed scoring.
Lettieri has played a substantial number of games in the AHL throughout his hockey career, not including the playoffs, and has played 379 games with 329 career points.
Moskva would likely want to add the American forward given his age, maturity, and ability to consistently produce at the pro hockey level, with the bonus of limited NHL experience.
He was likely on the radar of multiple teams anyway, but his play in the playoffs, averaging over a PPG, on top of taking a team that finished fourth in the AHL's North Division all the way to a Calder Cup Final, probably adds to teams' interest.
A bigger role and KHL money could tempt a player who has spent most of his career in the AHL
End of the day for Lettieri, he is not a prospect at 31-years-old, and if he ever makes it back to the NHL in some capacity, it will likely be as a depth forward, and someone who splits time between the AHL and NHL.
The KHL pays significantly more than the AHL, and in Lettieri's situation, might allow him to make enough money to retire, or whatever else he wants to do.
Other players on the Marlies got more playing time than he did, and he only truly got more run with the team after some guys were called up to the main squad.
On Dynamo, his role might become a front-line center, or someone who has more chances to shine and potentially get an NHL contract if he truly succeeds in Russia.
The difference in pay from the AHL to even an above-average player in the KHL is massive, hundreds of thousands of dollars in difference, plus an easier cost of living, which adds to living comfortably in Russia.
Ultimately, if he does choose to leave for the KHL, it does make sense given where his career is at the moment; sometimes being a career journeyman means going on a journey to another league and seeing if it ends up being a better scenario than playing in the AHL for lesser pay.
With him being a near point-per-game AHLer throughout his career, scouts for KHL teams probably think he would translate well there and be the juice Dynamo needs to take a bigger leap next season.
Who is most likely from this Marlies Calder Cup run team to make an impact on the Maple Leafs next season?
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