Report: Critical change in Soshnikov's contract

The Toronto Maple Leafs narrowly avoided losing forward Nikita Soshnikov to the KHL earlier this month - when an out-clause was about to kick in for being in the AHL too long.

It's not clear if Soshnikov would've taken the option to leave had he not been recalled to the Leafs, but the option was there nonetheless. 

Now, with him earning a steady spot in the lineup, he's reached the famous 70-game mark in his NHL career, meaning, according to CapFriendly, that he is no longer waiver-exempt.

This will have an important bearing on how Lou Lamoriello and Mike Babcock proceed with the young Russian - they have a lot of depth up front and are regularly switching people in and out. Soshnikov now becomes another player that they must keep as part of their 23 man roster, as he would almost certainly be claimed off waivers should he ever hit the wire.

Despite his 0 points in 3 games this season so far, Babcock and co. hold Soshnikov in high esteem, and would not want to lose his services to a rival team.