Toronto Maple Leafs: Korshkov To Stay In KHL

Toronto Maple Leafs draft ick Yegor Korshkov will not be joining the team anytime soon.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs 2016 2nd round pick Yegor Korshkov has elected to sign 1 year extension with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the KHL.

The Leafs went into the 2016 NHL Entry Draft loaded with draft picks. After trading the 30th overall pick in a savvy move by former General Manger Lou Lamoriello to get Frederik Andersen, the leafs were left with first overall on the opening night.

Although the media tried their best to plant the seed that the Leafs might take Patrik Laine first, It was always going to be the kid from Scottsdale. The intrigue started at the top of the second round, 31st overall. There were plenty of quality players for Mark Hunter and his staff to choose from, such a highly touted Tyler Benson and goal scoring machine Alex Debrincat.

Hunter chose to shock everyone. (In retrospect, maybe he should have picked Alex Debrincat. But it’s still early – so who knows?)

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Having been passed over in the draft the year before, Korshkov’s rankings varied depending on what scouting service you looked at.

Hockeyprospect.com 118th

ISS Hockey 43rd

Future Considerations 102nd

Mckeen’s Hockey 63rd

Ranked 7th by NHL Central Scouting (European Skaters)

It is clear that there was no consensus as to how good Korshkov was, but it is clear the Leafs reached on where they selected him. Taking a flyer on a kid, who is relatively unknown in such a premium draft position was head scratching to say the least. The Leafs must have had good reason to suspect that another team was going to also try and pick him early.  Perhaps it was because Mark Hunter and his staff knocked the 2015 draft out of the park, and thus maybe the team felt they could take more risks.

The NHL draft, just like any of the other major sports league is a crap shoot. Regardless of how much teams fall in love with a player, you can never know for sure. Look at Andreas Johnsson, a 7th round pick in 2013 looks ready to be a full time NHL player next season. Some players peak too early, while others are late bloomers.

That is why teams try to limit as much risk as possible when making selections. Taking a kid from Russia at that spot seemed like a risk not worth taking. Sure hindsight is 20/20, but wouldn’t Alex Debrincat look good in the Leafs lineup.

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Mark Hunter deserves the benefit of the doubt. Since he has taken over head of Amateur scouting, the high quality of prospects in the Leafs system has been exceptional. After some real dark days where Frederik Gauthier was a top prospect, this turnaround should be applauded.

Still, Until the Leafs can convince Korshkov to come to North America, this is risk that hasn’t paid off.