Toronto Maple Leafs players face KHL interest and rating shifts

Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel is reportedly drawing interest from top clubs in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Following a season split between the Minnesota Wild and the AHL's Iowa Wild, the 30-year-old free agent is being considered for a move to Russia. Aube-Kubel’s representative, Alexander Chernykh, noted that while they will not confirm specific details, there is significant interest and enough offers to potentially sign a contract in the near future if the player chooses the KHL.

In other Maple Leafs news, Auston Matthews has seen a drop in his standing according to the latest NHL 27 video game ratings. Following a 2025/26 season where he recorded a career-low 27 goals, Matthews is no longer ranked among the top 10 centers in the game. He currently holds a 92 overall rating, placing him as the 25th-ranked player overall, trailing players such as Mark Scheifele.