Maple Leafs Prospect Commits to KHL with New Contract Extension

As the NHL offseason is set to get underway in a couple of weeks, moves are being made all around the hockey world, especially in Russia with the KHL.

Players are transferring or extending deals, keeping them in the world's second-largest pro hockey league for next season and beyond.

Which is why it's not surprising to see Maple Leafs prospect Semyon Der-Arguchintsev re-up his deal with KHL club Traktor Chelyabinsk. The news was announced by Elite Prospects on X.

Der-Arguchintsev spent the last two seasons with Chelyabinsk, and will continue to be there until he decides to re-sign yet again, or make the transition back to North America.

Der-Arguchintsev, 24, was Toronto's 76th overall pick in 2018, and has spent his time split between the AHL, KHL, and a one-game stint with the Maple Leafs in 2022-23.

Spending the last two seasons with Traktor, he's posted 64 points (30G, 34A) in 112 games, and adding 22 points (8G, 14A) in 32 playoff games.

He does have experience playing in North America, having spent time with Peterborough of the OHL, as well as Newfoundland of the ECHL and played 107 games with the Marlies from 2020-2023.

With Toronto's AHL affiliate, he scored 76 points (25G, 51A) in those 107 games, but was a minus-16 in that span.

Not your typical center, he is a bit undersized, especially for the current Maple Leafs management; he's only 5'11, 170 pounds and he's not really known for being a defensively savvy forward.

Der-Arguchintsev does have the chance to play with Toronto still, given they hold his rights for another three years until he's 27; if he has a great season overseas, he might be able to fight for a winger spot here in the bottom-six.

There's not currently a spot for him here, and Toronto's farm system has changed dramatically since he was a part of the team a few years ago.

With the new NCAA prospects, and guys like Easton Cowan waiting in the wings, it might be a few years before he makes the jump; if he does at all.

But for now, Der-Arguchintsev gets to hone his craft in his native land, and seems pretty comfortable there, but always has the option to come back here if he feels he deserves another shot.