Whatever Happened to Ex-Maple Leaf Josh Leivo?

He just never seemed to be able to score well in North America at the NHL level. After finishing his NHL stint with the Blues — where he totalled four goals and 12 assists in 51 games — Leivo signed a one-year deal with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in Russia’s KHL in September 2023. His first season overseas was solid but not earth-shattering. He scored 15 goals and 23 assists in 40 games. These are respectable numbers, the kind you’d expect from a player who had been a depth forward in the NHL. Still, nothing suggested history was about to be made.

During the 2024-25 KHL Season, Suddenly Things Changed for Leivo

And then came 2024-25. Suddenly, everything clicked. Leivo exploded for 49 goals and 31 assists in 62 games — an absurd 80-point season. That goal total set a new single-season KHL record, breaking Sergei Mozyakin’s long-standing mark of 48. Leivo didn’t just put up numbers; he became the league’s face, winning the Golden Stick award as the regular-season MVP. He also signed a new contract early in 2025.

For someone who had spent much of his NHL career on the margins, it was a statement. Toronto fans who had followed his development from the Marlies to the NHL, watching him ride the fringes of lineups in Vancouver, Calgary, Carolina, and St. Louis, got to see him finally shine — even if it was half a world away.

This Season, Although He Switched KHL Teams, He’s Still Producing

This season, 2025-26, he moved to Traktor Chelyabinsk and has continued to produce at a high level. In the regular season, he scored 26 goals and added 39 assists through 62 games. He’s still hovering near a point-per-game pace and remains among the top forwards in the league.

At 32 years old, he’s not slowing down, and for the second straight season, he leads all active Canadian players in the KHL in scoring. His name has become synonymous with consistency and skill in a league that often flies under the North American radar.

Why Has Leivo Done So Well in Russia?

So why has Leivo thrived in Russia when his NHL career fizzled? Several factors might have come into play. First, the larger ice surfaces in Europe suit his style perfectly. Leivo is a player who thrives with space; at 6-foot-2 and around 190 pounds, he can leverage his size and vision to create chances in ways that were harder to accomplish in the NHL’s tighter, more physical lanes.

Second, he was given a top-line role with real responsibility. That’s something he rarely had in the NHL. Toronto, in particular, often buried him in the lineup or shuffled him between call-ups, scratches, and minor-league stints. In the KHL, he’s trusted, counted on, and confident.

Leivo’s Story Reminds Us That a Solid Chance Can Be the Difference

It’s a reminder that environment and opportunity can make all the difference. A player doesn’t always need more talent; sometimes, they just need the right circumstances to flourish. Leivo clearly found that in Russia, and the results speak for themselves. He’s proven, productive, and playing important minutes. That’s a far cry from the uncertainty and instability he faced in North America.

At this point, a return to the NHL seems unlikely, unless he wants it and an offer with the right role and money comes calling. The KHL provides both competitive hockey and financial stability, and Leivo has cemented his place as a top-tier player there. For Leafs fans who remember him as a talented forward always on the edge of breaking out, it’s gratifying to see him finally get the spotlight, even if it’s thousands of miles away from Toronto.

Leivo Found a League That Fit Him Well

Leivo didn’t flame out. He simply found a league that suits him perfectly. And at 32, he’s still producing numbers that would make plenty of NHL players envious. For a guy who once seemed perpetually on the cusp, this second act is nothing short of remarkable.

For those interested, his current KHL contract is reported to be around 90 million Russian rubles, which converts to roughly $1.05–$1.12 million USD depending on the exact exchange rate at signing.