Toronto Maple Leafs: What’s the Plan for Nikita Soshnikov?

Yesterday afternoon, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced they had loaned forward Nikita Soshnikov to the Toronto Marlies to undergo a “long-term conditioning stint”.

Frankly, I had no idea long-term conditioning stints existed. And yet, if any team were to find such a loophole in the CBA, you better believe it would be the Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to a wonderful article courtesy of Pension Plan Puppets, this conditioning loan grants Soshnikov a maximum of five games in the AHL, an extension on the standard three-game loan.

In addition, he does not count towards the Leafs 23-man roster.

So, the Marlies next five games fall on February 2nd, 3rd, 10th, 11th, and 16th, meaning, if everything goes according to plan, the next Leafs game Soshnikov would be eligible for is their February 17th (my birthday!) contest with Pittsburgh.

Although, that is far from guaranteed. In fact, I doubt Soshnikov will even remain a member of the Leafs organization once his conditioning loan draws to a close.

Injury History

Nikita Soshnikov‘s tenure in Toronto is a fascinating one.

How did he get here? In 56 games last season, Soshnikov seemed to have permanently etched himself in the good books of Mike Babcock, earning heaps of defensively responsible minutes and a prominent role on the penalty kill.

A calendar year later, and he’s now heading back to the AHL, two months removed from game action. Something’s not right here.

Throughout his career, the knock on Soshnikov has always been his inability to stay healthy. Since going down with an upper-body injury on March 20th of last year, he’s played in 3 NHL games.

In fact, prior to training camp, Sportsnet reported that Soshnikov had been experiencing concussion-related symptoms all summer. Symptoms which drastically impacted his ability to prepare for the season ahead.

And with a Leafs team bursting at the seams with offensive talent, particularly on the wings, earning a roster spot would have been an impossible task for any player, let alone one still recovering from injury.

With that said, it was a surprise to no one that Soshnikov began the 2017-18 season in the AHL.  He simply was not ready.

Where Does He Go From Here?

When I think of Soshnikov, the first thing that enters my mind is this.

Soshnikov was electric in his 2016-17 debut, throwing his body around without abandon, while also showing an underlying playmaking ability. Alas, that ability shined through on rare occasions moving forward, as he finished his rookie season with a paltry 9 points in 56 games.

Although, the potential is there.

A player of Soshnikov’s mould would seemingly be held in high regard by a number of teams. Particularly, those who place significant value on intangibles like grit and, dare I say, truculence. (Brain Burke, anyone?)

At this point, it’s become abundantly clear that Soshnikov does not factor into Toronto’s long-term plans. To them, he’s an oft-injured, offensively limited depth forward who can play 10-12 minutes of average, albeit responsible, hockey per night.

I think there’s a bit more to Soshnikov’s game than he’s been letting on.

With 10 points in 14 games this season, he was far and away the best forward on a Marlies team dripping in offensive talent. Soshnikov anchored both of the team’s top power play and penalty kill units, while showing every sign of being a big fish in a small pond.

Now, AHL prowess does not always directly translate to the NHL. But, Soshnikov has previously flashed a skillset which could make him a valuable trade chip in the near future.

Which begs the question; where would he go?

Edmonton & Calgary

The Edmonton Oilers are terrible.

They’ve traded away practically all of their skill for minimal return. They’ve prioritized grit in the midst of an era where speed rules. And, the piece de resistance, they’re about to miss the playoffs for the 11th time in the last 12 years, despite possessing the NHL’s best player in Connor McDavid.

How is it even possible to screw up THAT much?

With that said, Soshnikov would be a perfect fit for this current iteration of the Oilers. He’s gritty, inexpensive, and is absolutely a better option for their bottom-six than anyone they’ve previously tried.

Calgary, on the other hand, is ripe for the picking.

If you possess an underperforming player with grit, stop reading this article immediately and start blowing up Brian Burke‘s phone. This is the same guy who signed one of the greatest scorers in NHL history, Jaromir Jagr, for his grit.

Yes, he actually said that.

Soshnikov, albeit a bit small, is the perfect Burke player. He’s fast, hits everything within a five-foot radius, and can chip in the odd goal or two. Burke has publicly mentioned his aspiration for the Flames to become more of a “f— you team”.

Well, based on his style of play, “f— you” is exactly what opponents will be telling Soshnikov on a nightly basis.

It would be wise for the Leafs to shop Soshnikov prior to the upcoming trade deadline. Although they would be selling him low, they’d at least be receiving some type of asset in return for a player they have no immediate or future plans for.

And if Soshnikov starts looking like his former self over the next two weeks, his trade value can only go up.

Next: Goaltenders Make Contenders

Thanks for reading!