Former Leafs prospect wants to return to Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been busy this offseason, adding a handful of forwards and reshaping their roster under new GM John Chayka. But while most of the attention has been on the big free agent signings, there's a quieter story brewing that involves a familiar name from the organization's past. A former third-round pick who left for Russia three years ago apparently hasn't given up on his NHL dream, and he's specifically targeting a return to the team that drafted him.

SDA's Push to Get Back to North America

Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, commonly known as SDA among Leafs fans, was selected 76th overall by Toronto in the 2018 NHL Draft out of the Peterborough Petes. He spent two seasons in the organization's AHL system with the Toronto Marlies from 2021 to 2023, putting up 76 points in 107 games. He got exactly one taste of the NHL on December 6, 2022, suiting up against the Dallas Stars before being sent right back down. That was the extent of his big league career before he opted to head home to Russia and sign in the KHL.

Now, after three seasons overseas, Der-Arguchintsev wants back in. His agent, Shumi Babaev, first made waves back in April when he told Russian media that his client's goal was to play in the NHL next season and that he had been in contact with then-GM Brad Treliving about a return to Toronto's system. At the time, Babaev said they were waiting for the appointment of a new general manager to understand the team's position on the matter.

Fast forward to this past week, and things have gotten even more interesting. Der-Arguchintsev's KHL rights were traded from Dynamo Moscow to Admiral Vladivostok, but his agent made it crystal clear that his client has no intention of playing for his new KHL club. When asked about the situation with Toronto, Babaev told RB Sport that "a certain process is underway" but declined to elaborate further. The fact that he's willing to sit out rather than report to a KHL team speaks volumes about how serious this pursuit is. KHL training camps are already getting started, with the season kicking off in early September, and yet Der-Arguchintsev is on the sidelines waiting for a potential deal with the Leafs.

Babaev has also been candid about what kind of contract would make sense. He believes his client is ready for the NHL but acknowledges the reality that AHL time would likely be part of the equation. The agent has floated the idea of a one-way contract at or near the league minimum, though he's also been clear that he doesn't want Der-Arguchintsev spending an extended stretch in the minors.

Where Would He Fit in Toronto?

This is where things get tricky. The Leafs went on a spending spree on July 1, bringing in forwards like Nick Paul, Jack Roslovic, Colton Sissons, Teddy Blueger, and Brandon Duhaime. Most of those players are expected to fill roles in the bottom six, which is exactly where Der-Arguchintsev would need to slot in. Cap space is tight, and roster spots are at a premium.

The 25-year-old is listed as a center but has primarily played wing during his time in Russia, largely because he struggles in the faceoff circle. He's a playmaking forward who averaged over 16 minutes of ice time in the KHL and put up 37 points in 59 games last season split between Traktor Chelyabinsk and Dynamo Moscow. His best playoff performance came in 2024-25, when he posted 12 points in 19 postseason games with Traktor.

There are at least some fans of his game within the Leafs' dressing room. Auston Matthews praised Der-Arguchintsev ahead of his lone NHL appearance back in 2022, calling him "a little ball of energy" who is "extremely skilled" and "not afraid to make plays." That kind of endorsement from the team's franchise player certainly doesn't hurt.

Realistically, if a deal comes together, Der-Arguchintsev would likely need to battle through training camp and prove he belongs. At worst, he returns to the Marlies with more experience and maturity than when he left. At best, he carves out a role as an offensive spark plug on the fourth line, providing some playmaking ability alongside grittier forwards like Dakota Joshua and Sissons. There's also the possibility that if things don't pan out in Toronto, the Leafs could negotiate his signing rights to another NHL team where he might have a clearer path to the roster.

Either way, the fact that discussions appear to still be ongoing months after the initial reports surfaced suggests there's genuine interest on both sides. Whether Chayka and the new front office see enough value to bring SDA back into the fold remains to be seen, but the former prospect is clearly betting on himself by turning down guaranteed KHL minutes in hopes of one more shot at the NHL.