Kontiola will sign with Yaroslavl of the KHL, James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail reports. Kontiola had his contract terminated by the Maple Leafs last week after he struggled in training camp and didn't find any success upon being sent to AHL Toronto. As a result, he'll probably spend the remainder of his career in the KHL, where he had played the previous five seasons before making the jump stateside this summer.

Kontiola was placed on waivers by the Maple Leafs on Thursday for the purpose of terminating his contract, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.ca reports. After a solid run in the KHL over the previous five seasons, Kontiola was brought in by the Maple Leafs on a one-year deal over the summer with the hope that he'd contend for a roster spot, but those hopes never materialized after he struggled mightily in training camp. He didn't fare much better with AHL Toronto, going without a point in 11 games. With a promotion to the NHL club not in the offing, it appears the 30-year-old will head back to Russia to continue his career.

Kontiola was assigned to AHL Toronto on Monday, Matt Brown of Sportsnet 590 The FAN reports. Signed in early July out of the KHL, Kontiola entered camp as a presumed favorite to nail a center job on one of the Leafs' four lines, but the 29-year-old struggled mightily in exhibitions. The Leafs tried to jumpstart his production by trying him out with multiple different linemates, but nothing seemed to click for Kontiola, who will now have to prove his worth in the minors. Peter Holland or Mike Santorelli are now in line to battle for the third-line center gig.

Kontiola, who has spent the past five seasons in the KHL, has struggled this preseason in his attempt to return to the NHL. "I'm not doing that well right now and I know it," said a clearly dejected Kontiola. "That's about it." His chances of securing a spot with the Leafs may be slipping away. He was given the primo gig of centering Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk on Wednesday night in exhibition action against Ottawa and the line was largely invisible. He ended up with no shots on goal in about 13 minutes. "We try to use these games as assessment periods and sometimes people play themselves into situations and play them out of situations," said coach Randy Carlyle, who didn't mention Kontiola specifically. The door is open for Peter Holland and Mike Santorelli to grab the third and fourth line center gigs.

Kontiola knows he's in a battle for a job with the Leafs, but he's prepared to play whatever role the team sees fit to win a spot, reports the National Post. "This isn't a guy that we've got pencilled in on the first line or the fourth line," said general manager Dave Nonis. "He's got the skill set that he can play multiple positions. If we need a guy to play in the top-6, would he fit into that position? Yes, there's no reason not to think that." His role will be up to Randy Carlyle, but it's clear the team is already impressed with the 30-year-old forward. "This is one of the more motivated people I've ever seen," continued Nonis. "He spent close to half a million dollars of his own money to get out of a [KHL] contract to come over here and play. Not a lot of guys would do that." Kontiola is a finesse player who led all scorers with eight goals and 16 points in 10 games at the 2013 world championship. And he scored the highly-touted Evgeny Kuznetsov on his KHL squad last season. Keep an eye on him in camp -- he might provide value as a sleeper.

Newest Maple Leaf Petri Kontiola had to pay around $600,000 to gain his release from the KHL before agreeing to terms with an NHL club.Kontiola's deal with Toronto will pay him $1.1 million this year, but that figure is closer to half a million after his release fee is deducted. The Finnish forward is one of a number of players to flee the KHL this off-season in order to come to North America. Former KHLers Leo Komarov (Toronto), Jori Lehtera (St. Louis), Jiri Sekac (Montreal) and Andrei Vasilevsky (Tampa Bay) are also expected to suit up for NHL teams this fall.

Newest Maple Leaf Petri Kontiola had to pay around $600,000 to gain his release from the KHL before agreeing to terms with an NHL club. Kontiola's deal with Toronto will pay him $1.1 million this year, but that figure is closer to half a million after his release fee is deducted. The Finnish forward is one of a number of players to flee the KHL this off-season in order to come to North America. Former KHLers Leo Komarov (Toronto), Jori Lehtera (St. Louis), Jiri Sekac (Montreal) and Andrei Vasilevsky (Tampa Bay) are also expected to suit up for NHL teams this fall.

Petri Kontiola has received his release from Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL, according to Rogers Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. He signed a one-year deal with the Leafs worth $1.1 million. Kontiola could be an option for Toronto on the third line next season.

Petri Kontiola has agreed to a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. According to sources, the deal won't be completed until he gets his official release from Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL. The 29-year-old Finn ha been busy on the international stage this year, winning a bronze medal at the Sochi Olympics and a silver at the IIHF World Hockey Championship. Kontiola had 15 goals and 37 points in 53 games last season in the KHL.