The playmaking forward appeared in one game for the Toronto Maple Leafs, in December 2022, before taking his talents to back home to Russia at the end of that season.
Now bolstered by three productive seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League, the 25-year-old Der-Arguchintsev is exploring a return to the NHL.
“Semyon is considering the option of returning to Toronto,” Der-Arguchintsev’s agent, Shumi Babaev, told R.org in a story published Tuesday.
“We contacted former general manager Brad Treliving and expressed our desire to return to the club’s system. Now we are waiting for the appointment of a new general manager and to understand his position.”
Reached Wednesday by Sportsnet to confirm the original report, Babaev wrote: “It’s true. He (wants to) play for Toronto.”
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Selected by the Leafs in Round 3 of the 2018 draft, Der-Arguchintsev played junior hockey alongside Toronto’s Nick Robertson in Peterborough, then 107 games for the AHL Marlies, recording 76 points (25 goals, 51 assists).
“It feels unreal. I’ve been waiting for it my whole life. Just an incredible feeling. I can’t explain how happy I am,” Der-Arguchintsev said at the time.
As a restricted free agent in July 2023, Der-Arguchintsev took a richer contract in the KHL. He has since piled up 36 goals and 100 points over 171 games with Chelyabinsk Traktor and Moscow Dynamo.
The skillsy forward went viral last month with this stunning behind-both-legs shootout snipe.
“He’s great,” now-captain Auston Matthews beamed, back when “SDA” was still in the Leafs’ system.
“He’s just a little ball of energy out there. He’s extremely skilled, and you can just see that he’s not afraid to make plays and play his game out there. He’s really nice. He’s quiet. And he works hard.”
Der-Arguchintsev’s contract with Dynamo expires on May 31 and no concrete extension discussions with GM Maxim Sushko have taken place yet, Babaev told R.org.
Because Toronto missed the playoffs and has a handful of forwards on expiring contracts — Robertson (RFA), Matias Maccelli (RFA), Jacob Quillan (RFA), Ryan Tverberg (RFA), Calle Järnkrok (UFA) — roster changes up front are inevitable.
Babaev trusts his client is ready to fill a void for the Maple Leafs.
“I believe Semyon is ready for the NHL. Of course, he has to be ready for the possibility of playing in the AHL, but there is no point in going there just for that. We are talking about a one-way contract with a salary closer to the league minimum,” Babaev said.
The Maple Leafs are deep into the process of hiring a new head of hockey operations, so all decisions on Toronto’s 2026-27 roster have been pushed to the back burner.