After spending one year in the KHL, Tim Heed is heading back to Switzerland. The veteran defenseman has signed a new two-year contract with HC Ambri-Piotta, likely ending any chance of him returning to North America.
Heed, 31, played 38 games for the San Jose Sharks in 2019-20, earning $960K on a one-way contract. With the uncertainty surrounding the 2020-21 season, however, he signed in Switzerland with HC Lugano and dominated the NL with 34 points in 47 games, leading the league in goals by a defenseman.
That led to an offer from the KHL, where he played for Spartak Moscow this season, still doing well with 26 points in 45 games. After terminating his contract, Heed is now headed back to Switzerland instead of trying his hand on this side of the pond, despite being a pretty successful depth defenseman during his time in San Jose.
Over 105 career games, Heed racked up 29 points and posted outstanding possession statistics–though those were heavily weighted by the offensive deployment he was given. As an offensive-minded player, he was an option on the powerplay but didn’t draw many tough assignments at even-strength, averaging just over 14 minutes a game during his time in the NHL.
With a two-year deal in place and his 31st birthday passing back in January, a return to North America seems unlikely at this point.