Forward Denis Malgin has signed a four-year contract with the ZSC Lions of the Swiss National League, the team announced early this morning. Taking him through the 2024-25 season, the announcement means we’ve seen the last of Malgin in the NHL for a solid bit of time.
Malgin spent last year under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs but played the entire season on loan in the Swiss league with Lausanne HC. His last NHL action came in 2019-20, splitting the season between the Florida Panthers and the Maple Leafs. Swapped between the two teams midseason in exchange for forward Mason Marchment, Malgin had 12 points in 36 games for Florida but none in eight games for Toronto down the stretch. Malgin, a fourth-round pick of Florida in 2015, enters this extended pause in his NHL career with 28 goals, 32 assists, and 60 points in 192 games, all but those last eight coming with the Panthers.
A skilled playmaker, Malgin impressed with Lausanne last season, potting 19 goals and 42 points in 45 games. He’ll look to continue that run of success as one of the best players in the league. Returning to ZSC marks a bit of a homecoming for Malgin, who played within the club’s youth and professional system from 2010 to 2016.
It’s important to note that Malgin was indeed issued a qualifying offer by Toronto at the beginning of the summer. Due to this, the Leafs will retain his NHL rights indefinitely and Malgin will remain on their reserve list. If Malgin does choose to return to the NHL in the summer of 2025, it will be with Toronto barring a trade.