Nicolas Aube-Kubel Is A Gritty But Occasionally Undisciplined Grinder

On July 2, 2025, the Minnesota Wild signed Nicolas Aube-Kubel to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL and $500,000 in the AHL. The gritty right winger has played in the NHL for seven seasons, but has not been able to find a long-term role as a high producer or as an enforcer. However, he’s a seasoned player who will be able to bring depth and grit to Iowa and Minnesota’s lower lines. 

The Philadelphia Flyers drafted Aube-Kubel 48th overall in 2014 and started him at their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Aube-Kubel spent 3 seasons developing on the Phantoms before making his NHL debut for the Flyers in the 2018-19 season, where he played 9 games. 

He stayed in Philadelphia for 3 full seasons and had an average early career run. In 2019-20, he produced 15 points in 36 games and found success as a gritty player with an aggressive forecheck. 

However, Aube-Kubel was less successful as a menace on the ice the following season, even though he spent 44 minutes in the box. The NHL fined him for roughing against Rasmus Dahlin, and he was less productive than in his previous season, gaining 12 points over 50 games. Still, Aube-Kubel was only a healthy scratch for 3 games during the shortened, 56-game pandemic season. 

Teams want a physical player, making them harder to play against, and naturally, physical players tend to get more penalties. However, racking up penalties for hooking, slashing, and tripping, all while still getting scored on, makes a player a problem rather than a solution. Given Aube-Kubel’s inconsistent point production and playing style, it’s difficult to determine if he’s additive or subtractive.

The Flyers protected him from the Seattle Kraken during the 2021 expansion draft, which was surprising considering he was on a 2-year, $1,075,000 AAV contract and not considered an impact player. It seemed Philadelphia believed in his potential, despite his lower production levels and penalty minutes. 

On October 23, 2021, Aube-Kubel kneed Mason Marchment in the head. The NHL announced he would be fined $2,687.50, the maximum penalty under the CBA. On November 12, 2021, just weeks after this incident, Philadelphia placed him on waivers. They may have decided his gritty playing style was more of a liability than an upside. Still, his lack of production and Kevin Hayes’ return from IR likely also contributed to the decision. 

The Colorado Avalanche claimed Aube-Kubel off waivers, and he had his best career season of 11 goals and 11 assists over 67 games. Aube-Kubel played in 14 games during the Avalanche’s 2022 playoff run and Stanley Cup win, but did not gain any points. Aube-Kubel had another 41 minutes in the box during this season.

It's possible Colorado wanted a cleaner player, or a more productive one, because they didn’t offer a qualifying offer at the end of the 2021-22 season. Aube-Kubel signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in free agency. 

Toronto played Aube-Kubel in 6 games and then placed him on waivers in November, which would have allowed them to send him to the Toronto Marlies, their AHL affiliate. However, the Washington Capitals claimed him off waivers on November 5, 2022. 

It was quickly apparent that Aube-Kubel’s playing style had not changed. During a game on November 12 against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Aube-Kubel illegally checked Cal Foote in the head. The NHL suspended him without pay for three games.  

Aube-Kubel played 47 games and gained 12 points during his 2022-23 season in D.C., and finished with a career high of 46 penalty minutes. The Capitals did not seem to mind his physical, but occasionally undisciplined, style and signed him on for another year. He gained 16 points and landed 158 hits in the 2023-24 season over 60 games, the fifth-most checks on the Capitals. 

Last year, Aube-Kubel signed with the Buffalo Sabres and played in 19 games. He missed games as a healthy scratch, as well as due to illness and an injury. He played 12 games for the Rochester Americans, their AHL affiliate. 

Buffalo traded him to the New York Rangers at the trade deadline. The Rangers played him in a few games and also sent him to the Hartford Wolf Pack for 3 AHL games. He scored 1 goal and recorded 1 assist over the season, and accumulated 19 penalty minutes across 22 NHL games. 

One of his highlights this year was a goal for the Sabres during their December 9 match-up against the Detroit Red Wings. He was positioned backdoor and snapped the puck in off a rebound.

In the offseason, Aube-Kubel signed as a free agent with Minnesota. After a season of injuries, waivers, and trades, he still needs to earn a roster spot on the Wild. Iowa could benefit from his gritty playing style and his experience. He’s one of the oldest on the team and has much more NHL experience than most AHL players. 

Minnesota could also add physicality to its game, so Aube-Kubel will make a strong addition to their bottom line, as long as he can stay out of the box. If he’s able to get back to his previous production levels, he could potentially find a regular spot in Minnesota.