Winger Nathan Legare is experiencing unrestricted free agency for the first time as he qualified for Group Six free agency this summer. It appears that his next contract could be coming from the KHL. Sport-Express’ Artur Khairullin reports (Telegram link) that Legare is expected to sign with Traktor although Dynamo Minsk is also interested in signing him.
The 25-year-old was a third-round pick by Pittsburgh back in 2019 but while he spent a couple of years in their system, he never suited up for them. In 2023, he was flipped to Montreal as part of the three-team trade that saw Erik Karlsson head to the Penguins. However, he was once again limited to AHL action and was moved to New Jersey at the trade deadline.
Legare fared a little better with the Devils. Over the past two seasons, he got into four NHL contests on their fourth line, recording 14 hits in just over 10 minutes of playing time per outing. But he once again spent the bulk of his time in the minors and is coming off a 13-goal, 20-point season in 2025-26, not the greatest of platform years heading to the open market.
With the tweaks to the AHL veteran rule beginning this coming season, Legare technically remains classified as a development player and wouldn’t count against the veteran limit of a signing team. However, his offers in North America are almost certainly of the two-way variety to the point where he may have a shot at a better role and salary by heading to Russia, assuming a deal is ultimately finalized in the days ahead.