Michael McLeod’s NHL return suddenly takes surprising turn!

Earlier this week, it was reported that Michael McLeod would make his return to the NHL and was expected to sign with the Carolina Hurricanes.

McLeod, along with Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote, faced charges stemming from a June 2018 incident at a London, Ontario, hotel following a Hockey Canada gala. In July, Justice Maria Carroccia acquitted all five players, and after some back and forth between the NHL and NHLPA, the group will be eligible to sign contracts starting October 15 and can return to NHL action on December 1.

While the report came out that he was getting a shot with the Canes for the upcoming season, Pat Welter stunned many on Friday when he revealed how it was his “understanding that the Canes are exploring this but saying “expected to sign” was not where things sit with McLeod or any of the other players acquitted and now eligible to sign with teams Oct. 15.”

The Hurricanes might have decided to see what kind of backlash they’d be getting for putting out there their interest for McLeod, who spent six seasons with the New Jersey Devils before taking a leave of absence when he was charged in January 2024.

In his most recent season, 2023-24, McLeod set a new career high with 10 goals in 45 games played. In 287 career NHL regular-season games with the Devils, McLeod has accumulated 29 goals and 56 assists for 85 points, and 164 penalty minutes.

The Hurricanes could eventually still add him to a bottom-six mix, but for now, it sounds like McLeod is not a done deal in Carolina.