Former New Jersey Devils forward, Michael McLeod, has signed a new deal in the KHL with Barys Astana, inking a one-year contract.
The report comes from Barys Hockey Club per their official release.
McLeod is one of five players, four NHLers who were directed to surrender to police in London, Ont., to be charged with sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident that occurred during a Hockey Canada event in the city in June 2018. The other four players include Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, and fellow former Devils skater Cal Foote.
A week before learning of the sexual assault allegations, McLeod and Foote took indefinite leaves of absences from the team on January 24th. They both did not return to the team for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
McLeod (and Foote) became a restricted free agent this summer, however, he was not qualified by the Devils and became a free agent.
Per Barys Hockey Club’s general manager, “We are happy to fill the deficit position with a player of such level. [McLeod] has played quite successfully for the New Jersey Devils over the last four seasons, bringing benefits on both sides of the ice, and he was among the NHL leaders in faceoffs won. Anticipating questions about the proceedings with his participation in Canada, we would like to say that Michael did not admit guilt and will defend his interests in court. In the future, we would like to refrain from commenting. Now, first of all, we consider [McLeod] as the first center, who is capable of becoming not only the leader of Barys, but also one of the most recognizable players in the entire KHL.”
In 45 games with New Jersey last season, McLeod scored 10 goals and 19 points. He accrued 29 goals and 85 points in 287 career NHL games, all with the Devils.
More must-reads:
NHL insider Frank Seravalli revealed that if the Jets want to keep Kyle Connor long-term, they will need to fork over $11 to $12 million per season for him. What appeared at the time as the probable contract scenario between Kyle Connor and Adrian Kempe has drastically changed the course. Whereas earlier speculation had Adrian Kempe's next Kings deal in the $9-10 million AAV range as a good gauge for Kyle Connor's extension on the Jets, the former has rapidly gone in the opposite direction. From NHL insider Frank Seravalli on Kyle Connor, he believes that he is now valued in the $11-12 million AAV range. That figure dramatically jacks up the price and takes Kempe's comparison out of the question. 'I would peg that next contract somewhere between $11 and $12 million AAV; obviously a huge priority for the Jets to get done.' - Frank Seravalli Connor has essentially outgrown most expectations on the back of a 97-point year and is in a completely different salary range now. Connor will be a free agent at the end of the upcoming season On the horizon in 2026 is free agency, and the Jets brass has been more anxious about re-signing Connor than anything else. With the cap still on the rise, the Jets' quandary is how in the world will they manage to re-sign their franchise winger before the marketplace sends his price even more skyward into the stratosphere. The story has now been changed, and Connor has been removed from the wait-and-see list now that Frank Seravalli said that signing him has become a priority for the team. The clock has already started ticking on the Jets to find a way to sign Connor to one of the most costly contracts in the Jets' team history.
Emma Jacob was a 22-year-old woman who went missing in Platteville, WI. Details are scant about her disappearance, but tragic news was delivered by a woman on Facebook, who says she is Jacob's sister. And Lafayette County sheriff's officials confirmed to Men's Journal that Jacob is deceased. On July 22, Sydney Wiltsie wrote on Facebook, "My little sister Emma Jacob has been missing since around 9:30 this morning. Her last pinged location was near the mound, or the 'big M' in Platteville, WI. Her car, phone, keys, and purse were all found there. Police are involved and we ask that everyone in the Platteville area keeps an eye out for her and that she is found safe. Please keep her and our family in your prayers. 22 y.o. Female, roughly 5’6”, 120lbs, dark brown curly hair." Then, in an update, she wrote, "Update: She has been found. At this time we ask you please respect our families privacy as we grieve the loss of our daughter, sister, and auntie. Thank you." "My beautiful baby sister and my best friend in the whole world. I love you so much," she wrote on July 23, sharing another photo. That comment thread filled up with people offering their condolences. That hasn't stopped people online from speculating, without evidence, that Jacob's case could be linked to the disappearance of Viterbo college student Eliotte Heinz, who vanished on July 20 after a night in a bar in downtown La Crosse, WI. To be clear, there is no information to tie them together, and they're not even located in the same city. There is no evidence at this point that foul play was even involved in Jacob's death, and searchers are hoping to find Heinz alive. The Lafayette County Sheriff's Department confirmed to Men's Journal that Jacob died, but could not provide additional details on any cause of death, other than saying she was found in "rural Platteville" and that investigators "don't think it's related" to the disappearance of Heinz. Wiltsie limited comments on her post. "I understand everyone wanting to relate this to the other missing girls in Wisconsin but it’s very insensitive to Sydney and her family so maybe take those conversations private and keep this post strictly for information you may have directly related to Emma or prayers for a safe return. I am sure the police are aware of the other cases and working to connect any pieces," one woman wrote on the comment thread. La Crosse and Platteville are more than 100 miles apart, and there is no known link between the two women, with the exception that they are both 22 and from college towns in the Universities of Wisconsin system. Men's Journal contacted Platteville police on July 23 and asked about the Jacob case. Police said that case is being handled by the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Police Department. However, that police department told Men's Journal to contact the UW-Platteville public relations spokeswoman, who has not yet responded to a request for comment.
It seems like it might be a little longer before Deion Sanders can join the rest of his Colorado coaching staff. In a video recently posted by his son, Deion Sanders Jr, the NFL legend admitted that he's not yet fully recovered from his undisclosed health issue. “You know I’m still going through something,” the head coach said. “I ain’t all the way recovered.” Almost two weeks ago, Sanders took the stage at Big 12 media day, but he didn't want to address his health issues. “I’m not here to talk about my health,” Sanders said. “I’m here to talk about my team.” According to the Athletic, Sanders, who's recovering in his home in Texas, has been in close contact with his coaching staff. Colorado athletic director Rick George also said that Sanders would "probably" report to campus within the next two weeks, per the Athletic. The former Super Bowl winner has a long history of health concerns. He had two toes amputated in 2021 because of blood clots, and he went under the knife again in 2023 after reportedly dealing with some excruciating pain. The Buffaloes are transitioning into the post-Shedeur Sanders/Travis Hunter era and looking to build from last year's 9-4 record and big win at the Alamo Bowl.
One question remains after New Orleans Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu announced his retirement. How long until Canton calls? On Tuesday, the 12-year NFL veteran revealed he was retiring, effective immediately, ending the New Orleans native's legendary football career. In a statement published to social media, the three-time first-team All-Pro wrote, "As I hang up my cleats, I'm filled with gratitude as I close this chapter of my life and officially retire from the game that's shaped me in every way. "From my first snap in college to my final play in the NFL, this journey has been nothing short of a blessing." He's a surefire first-ballot Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame honoree, breaking out while at LSU (2010-11). During his freshman and sophomore seasons, he forced 11 fumbles with eight recoveries, four interceptions and four total touchdowns while finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 2011. Mathieu was dismissed from the team in 2012 after failing multiple drug tests and then was arrested on marijuana charges, but he didn't allow that to define his career. Instead, he carved out what could be considered a Pro Football Hall of Fame resume, too. Mathieu ends his professional career with 838 tackles, 100 passes defended and 36 interceptions. In addition to being named first-team All-Pro three times, he received three Pro Bowl honors and was a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010 Team. Mathieu also won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in February 2020. Per Mathieu's Pro Football Reference's Hall of Fame Monitor score (65.2), he has a below-average case for enshrinement, with the average Hall of Fame defensive back scoring a 96.93. But players have received a gold jacket with worse scores in the PFR metric, including John Lynch, Eric Allen and Dick LeBeau. While he might have to wait past his first ballot to make it into the Hall of Fame, it would be a shame if Mathieu didn't one day receive his flowers. It certainly helps his case that in addition to being one of the greatest safeties of his generation, Mathieu was, by all accounts, just as outstanding off the field. NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill and Arizona Cardinals insider Kyle Odegard, who covered Mathieu when he played for the Cardinals, were among the media members to share fond stories about Mathieu. "One of those guys who really respected the job we do and would take the time to explain the game," Underhill shared. "He an all-world talent and the most accessible, genuine, introspective superstar I've ever met," Odegard wrote. It could take longer than five years, but it should surprise no one if one day Mathieu receives Hall of Fame recognition. He is the Honey Badger, after all. He takes what he wants.
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!