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Toronto Maple Leafs Should Pursue Rathgeb & Bobkov

ByBruce Harte Ashley|
Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock speaks to the media after their elimination at the hands of the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock speaks to the media after their elimination at the hands of the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs should look to Europe to solve their back-up goalie and right-handed defensive needs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs recently acquired Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosén out of Sweden.  It has been reported that Mike Babcock called Borgman personally as the last step in recruitment.  He should do the same thing with Yannick Rathgeb, who is a 21 year-old right shooting defenseman the Leafs could use.

While Coach Babcock is calling overseas, he should also phone Igor Bobkov a promising young Russian net minder.

Yannick Rathgeb

Rathgeb may be best young right-handed defender not currently playing in North America.

It is common for European players to develop on a different curve than their North American counterparts, which trend towards eighteen year old draft eligible prospects.

The star powered youth and puck possession style played by the Toronto Maple Leafs will help Rathgeb fit seamlessly onto the back-end.  As a talented puck moving defenseman, he could potentially  jump into the lineup depending on how he impresses at camp.

Rathgeb would join promising young defenders Travis Dermott, Andrew Nielsen, Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosén as top prospects in the Leafs system.

  • Rathgeb, 21, is a 6’1, 194 lbs two-way defenceman with NHL size. A good skater, he plays the up-tempo puck control game that fits with the Maple Leafs build. Since turning pro in 2015, he has elevated his game each season while skating for HC Fribourg-Gottéron.
  • He doesn’t shy away from physical play as reflected by his league leading 115 PIM.
  • 2016/17, Rathgeb scored 11 goals and added 23 helpers in 45 games finishing third in league scoring for defencemen. While carrying the worst +/- on his team, he was directly involved in over 26% of his team’s offence. Impressive numbers for a second year pro  whose team was outscored 177-130.
  • While skating with the Plymouth Whalers, he was a steady if unspectacular defenceman.
  • While the young defender is under contract through the 2018/2019 season, he holds a release clause for the NHL or AHL.
  • Rathgeb has the tools to become the right-handed puck moving presence the Toronto Maple Leafs seek.
  • He may need a year of development in the AHL which will give the necessary adjustment before Rathgeb steps up to the NHL.
  • in 2016, Rathgeb attended the Blackhawks development camp.

 This kid can shoot

In this video, Rathgeb uses speed to break free of defensive pressure. He receives a perfect pass from the half-wall and roofs a quick wrist-shot before the goalie can react.

Igor Bobkov 

Bobkov is  6’6, 238 lbs. Drafted in the 3rd round by the Ducks in 09 from Metallurg Magnitogorsk-2, the 26 year-old helped backstop Russia to gold medal at the 2011 World Juniors posting a 2.45 GAA and a .930 S%.

  • Selected 53rd overall in the 2010 CHL Import Draft, he joined the London Knights in his D+1 winning only three of 21 starts. Traded to Kingston that off-season, his numbers improved while starting 58 games.
  • Bouncing between the Ducks AHL and their ECHL affiliates the following two seasons, he struggled at the AHL level. Nevertheless he was twice voted team MVP of the Utah Grizzlies.
  • Due to the Ducks crowded crease, he returned to Russia in 2015 where he rediscovered his A-game.
  • Posting excellent numbers in 2016/17 with Admiral Vladivostok going 17-15 in 38 starts, with a 2.04 GAA and a .932 S%.
  • The Toronto Maple Leafs can offer him around 30 starts as Andersen’s back-up which coincides with his workload the past two seasons.
  • A free agent, Bobkov could consider a return to the NHL should he get the right offer.

Based on a review of his play, Bobkov is a solid skater with excellent lateral movement, and quick reflexes who tracks the puck well. He occasionally scrambles while making simple saves difficult, however his athleticism allows for a quick recovery.

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