Leafs, Dubas keeping a watchful eye on two pending UFAs in the KHL

Following reports last week that the Toronto Maple Leafs had been scouting some pending UFA's out of the KHL, rumours have surfaced about two players the Buds may have interest in signing in 2020.

According to Igor Eronko, Kyle Dubas had interviewed both Nikita Nesterov and Mikhail Grigorenko while in Russia on a scouting trip.

Nesterov and Grigorenko each had previous stints in the NHL, Nesterov with Tampa and Grigorenko with Buffalo and Colorado.

It appears as though the Maple Leafs, who are searching for creative salary cap solutions, aim to keep a close eye on Russian players who are keen on returning to the NHL. Perhaps the Buds will be able to lure some UFA's from the KHL on shorter term deals with promises of exposure and a chance to win a Stanley Cup rather than with long term contracts and higher salaries.

Earlier in 2019, the Maple Leafs signed forward Ilya Mikheyev to a similar deal. Mikheyev was a UFA out of the KHL and the early report card looks great for the winger this season, as he has 5 points through his first 6 games in the blue and white. The Maple Leafs would, no doubt, love to replicate this success story again next season with another Russian UFA or two.

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