After a brief stint with the Montreal Canadiens after the trade deadline, it looks like Rinat Valiev will be going to play in the KHL.

Rinat Valiev an intriguing name to come out of the Toronto Maple Leafs trade. The defenceman was hoping to get a fresh start in a new organization after falling into the depths of the prospect pool in Toronto. With the Montreal Canadiens roster starting to resemble a piece of cheese due to all the injuries, there was a path for Valiev to make his NHL debut with the team soon after his acquisition.

The 21-year-old played his first game with the Laval Rocket against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers and recorded an assist on Kerby Rychel‘s power-play goal. Soon after, the Montreal Canadiens called the Russian native up to play but unfortunately, had an underwhelming performance. Valiev played in only two games for the Habs before being taken out with a lower-body injury.

He would miss the next 13 games recovering and was sent back down to the AHL in favour of Brett Lernout who shot ahead of him. Valiev is a pending restricted free agent, and there hasn’t been any indication of the Montreal choosing to bring him back. To add to that, there is news out that a return next season isn’t out there.

According to former KHL reporter Vorky on Twitter, Valiev is among a number of NHL players set to go to the KHL. There would be a spot for the young defenceman on Laval’s blueline, but after spending the last three years in the minors, it looks like he’s done with it. Valiev has played games in the MHL, the KHL equivalent to the AHL, but nothing else overseas.

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The decision makes sense if all Valiev is looking for is a spot in the NHL. Victor Mete, Noah Juulsen, Mike Reilly, and Brett Lernout have surpassed him so the Montreal Canadiens can afford to let him go.