Kazakhtan-based KHL club Barys Astana announced the release of three NHL players on its roster on Friday.
"Barys has announced the termination of contracts with defensemen Nathan Beaulieu and Will Butcher, as well as forward Michael McLeod," the club announced on its website. "The contracts were terminated at the club's initiative, with compensation paid to the players."
Butcher, 29, played last season in the AHL with the Iowa Wild after the Minnesota Wild acquired him in a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
He played in 14 AHL games before the trade with Pittsburgh's minor league team. Butcher finished the 2023-24 season with the Iowa Wild.
In 24 games with Iowa, Butcher recorded three goals, six assists, and nine points. He signed a contract with Barys Astana of the KHL earlier but now has been released from his contract after putting up three assists in 15 games.
