Information disclosed by Agent Livo concerning the departure of the player from Salawat Yulaev's team
Josh Leivo, a Canadian ice hockey forward, has left Salavat Yulaev Ufa after the mutual termination of his contract. The decision was made to prevent a prolonged legal dispute with the KHL and the club, as Leivo's high annual average value (AAV) contract of ₽110 million proved to be a burden for the financially struggling team.
Leivo, who joined Salavat Yulaev in 2023, played a total of 122 games for the Ufa club, scoring 142 points (70 goals and 72 assists). Last season, he set historical records for the KHL with 49 goals in 62 games (regular season record) and 80 points in the "goal+assist" system (best of the season).
Despite his impressive performance, the team requested Leivo to restructure his contract with a reduced salary, which he declined. This, coupled with complications such as his late arrival to training camp and significant visa issues, led to the termination of the agreement.
Following his departure from Salavat Yulaev, Leivo signed a one-year contract with another KHL team, Traktor Chelyabinsk. It's important to note that the termination of Leivo's contract with the Ufa club was not related to performance issues.
Both sides consciously avoided a conflict regarding the contract cancellation, with Leivo's agent, Ivan Botev, commenting on the termination. The decision was a mutual one, aiming to avoid a prolonged legal dispute that could have delayed Leivo's ability to sign a new contract.
In the coming hours, Leivo is expected to announce his transfer officially. Fetisov, a notable figure in Russian hockey, has also commented on the possible expulsion of Russian hockey players from the NHL, but this topic remains separate from Leivo's situation.
Bookmakers are now offering odds on Leivo's performance in the NHL, considering his impressive record in the KHL, particularly in sports like hockey, such as the NHL. In the upcoming NHL season, many are speculating that Leivo could potentially break similar records in the league.
