What happened: The 27-year-old forward will move to Finland for the 2026-27 Liiga season after becoming an unrestricted free agent. He spent 2025-26 in Buffalo's organization with Rochester.
Why it matters: The move ends his latest North American stint and gives HIFK a center with NHL and AHL experience. It also removes an unrestricted free agent from Buffalo's depth pool.
By the numbers: Leschyshyn recorded 13 goals and nine assists in 66 AHL games for Rochester in 2025-26. He has two goals and four assists in 77 career NHL games.
What to watch: His preseason deployment will provide the first indication of his role in HIFK's lineup.