More Former NHLers Among Players Leaving KHL Playoffs

A handful of former NHL players are among a long list of players that have severed ties with their KHL teams during the playoffs.

Nine players on three teams -- CSKA Moskva, Salavat Yulaev Ufa and Sibir Novosibirsk -- have terminated their contracts just four days into the league's playoff schedule. This comes as players look to leave the KHL amidst the ongoing Russian invasion over Ukraine.

Among the players is former San Jose Sharks goaltender Harri Sateri (Novosibirsk), Dallas Stars draft pick Philip Larsen (Ufa), former Edmonton Oilers depth forward Teemu Hartikainen (Ufa), 2015 Stanley Cup champion Joakim Nordstrom and Olympic scoring star Lucas Wallmark (both CSKA).

Sibir defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka and Ufa's Juha Metsola and Sakari Manninen were among the others to leave their teams during the playoffs.

Manninen recently led Finland with seven points, and Harri Sateri held down the fort in the nation's gold-medal effort in Beijing in February.

This comes days after former NHL forwards Markus Granlund, Geoff Platt, Nick Shore, Kenny Agostino and Shane Prince all cancelled their contracts with their respective clubs.

Ufa, in particular, has lost six players this week, including its two top scorers, a top defenseman and its starting goaltender.