Michael McLeod signs a 3 year contract

Just last week, after weeks of speculation, the Carolina Hurricanes officially fell out of the running for free agent forward Michael McLeod.

The Hurricanes had reportedly been in negotiations with both McLeod and goaltender Carter Hart, both of whom were accused and then exonerated of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in 2018, but dropped their interest in both players due to fan backlash.

Evidently the Hurricanes were the only NHL team interested in McLeod's services (and his baggage), as he has now reportedly signed a 3 year deal with Avangard of the KHL.

It would appear then that McLeod's NHL playing days are over.

You have to imagine that of the five accused players from the 2018 World Juniors scandal, Hart is the only one with an NHL future. McLeod is a quality player and if teams aren't willing to stick their neck out for him, I can't see them doing so for the likes of Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and/or Cal Foote.