Even before he cleared waivers, it was already heavily rumored that this would be his next stop, and now it’s been confirmed. Canadian left winger Brendan Lemieux, 28, has signed with HC Davos, the Swiss National League club announced on Monday.

The deal is for the remainder of the current season plus two additional seasons, and will expire in 2027, when Lemieux is 31. The team’s press release does not mention if it contains an escape clause for Lemieux should he receive an NHL offer during that time, which is common in European multi-year deals.

“Brendan is a player who stands out for his intensity, passion and will to win,” said Davos sports director Jan Alston. “With his player profile, he is the perfect addition to our team and will offer our coaching staff further options.”

A second-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2014, Lemieux had 74 points and 548 penalty minutes in 307 NHL regular-season games between 2017 and 2024 with the Winnipeg Jets, New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes. He also had one goal and 18 minutes in eight playoff games.

Lemieux didn’t play in an NHL game this season, but he had two goals in 12 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves, with his most recent game being Nov. 20 in Winnipeg against the Manitoba Moose. On Friday, the Hurricanes placed Lemieux on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract.

“Brendan asked to be released from his contract so he could pursue a new opportunity,” said Carolina GM Eric Tulsky. “We wish him nothing but the best in the next stage of his career.”

On Sunday, Davos beat HC Lugano 2-1 in overtime in its last game prior to the Europe-wide international break. The team’s next game is Dec. 18 at home against the SCL Tigers, and it would seem possible that Lemieux could make his debut with the team in that game.

Davos has four more league games before it hosts the annual Spengler Cup from Dec. 26 to 31, which will give many fans outside of Switzerland a chance to see him with his new team on TV.

A 31-time national champion in Switzerland dating back to the club’s founding in 1921, Davos currently leads the National League standings with 57 points in 29 games. 

Lemieux’s new teammates include 41-year-old Swiss legend Andres Ambühl, ex-NHLers Joakim Nordström, Filip Zadina, Klas Dahlbeck and Julius Honka, and 19-year-old New York Rangers prospect Rico Gredig, who is on Switzerland’s training camp roster for the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship.