Be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook! For the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
In spite of all the speculation that they would trade their first round pick or select a defenseman, the Toronto Maple Leafs used their first round pick at the 2020 NHL Draft on speedy winger Rodion Amirov at #15. The 19-year-old played for Russia at the 2020 IIHF World Junior in the Czech Republic last December, the Canada/Russia Super Series, the Spengler Cup and in 21 KHL games for hometown Salavat Yulaev Ufa last season.
“We consider (his speed) to be amongst the best in the class.… Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said in a conference call on Tuesday night. “We like his ability throughout last year and into this season as well to find a way to make an impact at the KHL level. He certainly did that, especially as they’ve had some injuries and illness on their club and he’s been able to step up this year. He has played for the national team and played well there. When he is not producing, he is able to contribute using his speed on the penalty kill and forechecking. We really like his game on and off the puck, so we were excited to have the chance to take him when we did.
ESPN’s Chris Peters, who projected the Leafs would take Amirov in his mock draft earlier this week, indicated that he was one of the most skilled players left on the board and is currently showing some growth in the KHL this season, with five points (3 goals, 2 assists) in 10 games with Ufa.
Hockey Prospect’s Mark Edwards describes Amirov as a skilled, two-way winger who plays a finesse style of game.
Rodion is very difficult to pin down or gain a read on. This is in large part due to the combination of skating deception and craftiness he’s displayed. There’s a slipperiness to his style of play that allows him to take advantage of the game both in tight areas around the goal line and boards, as well as open space. The first factor that gives him his elusiveness and unpredictability is his skating.
Dubas indicated that Amirov is under contract with Ufa until the end of this season, which could mean the Leafs will follow the same developmental model as they have with William Nylander, Kasperi Kapanen, Timothy Liljegren, and Rasmus Sandin to get them to North America as soon as possible to play in the American Hockey League to begin acclimating to the NHL game.
“In our discussions with him, it has been deemed that it is his desire to have a great season (in Russia) and then have a discussion about his status.… Dubas said. “(Ufa has) done a great job there with him developing him and making him earn his way up the lineup at the KHL level. When he has been lower in the lineup and not getting his minutes, they’ve got a great situation where they put him in the VHL and get him big minutes there in all situations. We think highly of their program and the way they have developed him thus far. We will continue to stay in touch with his representative, Dan Milstein at Gold Star.…
TOR picks Rodion Amirov pic.twitter.com/2iuN3h7ZnJ
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) October 7, 2020
Dubas indicated that he considered a number of trade scenarios prior to the Leafs pick, which had them use up the entire five-minute time limit, but in the end chose to keep the pick. There has been some criticism that selecting another skilled forward instead of defensive help in the form of WHLer’s Kaiden Guhle (selected by Montreal at #16) or Braden Schneider (chosen by the NY Rangers at #19) was not what Toronto needed, but neither Guhle or Schneider are expected to be ready for the NHL for two to three years and would not provide Toronto the immediate help they need on the blueline.
Toronto has 10 picks on Day 2 of the draft, including #44 overall in the middle of the second round. Dubas indicated that he is not opposed to using some of those picks to acquire help for the current roster, but it is also possible that the Leafs could package two or three of those picks to move up if they see a player on the board that they covet.
In other news, the Leafs are expected to extend qualifying offers to defenseman Travis Dermott and winger Ilya Mikheyev before the 5pm deadline today, but Dubas indicated that they will not extend an offer to recently acquired forward Evan Rodrigues.
Rodrigues made $2 million last season and his qualifying offer at a minimum would have to be 10% more than that. According to the Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, Rodrigues’ agent Peter Fish left the door open to circle back to the Leafs, but said that both sides could not agree on a contract framework and felt since they were so close to free agency Friday, that would go that route.
*******
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******