Toronto Maple Leafs: Yegor Korshkov Is Coming Over

In a decidedly unexpected turn of events, the Toronto Maple Leafs will now welcome into the fold one of their most mysterious prospects.

Not much is known about Yegor Korshkov.

He’s a former second-round pick of the Leafs in 2016; the first true selection of Mark Hunter‘s reign as organizational scouting master. Korshkov is tall, standing at 6’4″. At just 180 pounds, his frame is slight. Korshkov has spent the entirety of his professional career playing for Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the KHL – a team that features former Leaf great, Petri Kontiola.

Outside of his height, weight, and place of employment, however, Korshkov is a man of mystery.

This is exactly what makes today’s news so surprising.

Despite the numerous opportunities for him to do so, Korshkov has consistently declined to make the trip overseas and join the Leafs, even for so much as a brief spin in training camp. Korshkov’s reasoning, reportedly, is rooted in his intent to honour his contract with Lokomotiv, which he extended for another year prior to this current season. This means that the Leafs have never seen Korshkov play on North American ice in the three years since drafting him.

If Korshkov indeed ventures over this time around, his landing spot will almost certainly be with the Toronto Marlies, acting as roster depth heading into the playoffs.

Late-season additions are nothing new for the Leafs’ AHL affiliate. Just last season, the team welcomed in both Pierre Engvall and Carl Grundstrom once their respective SHL seasons ended, among others, and saw the pair eventually prove to be vital pieces to the Marlies’ first-ever Calder Cup victory.

Korshkov will be expected to follow suit, and it’s not entirely unlikely that he hits the ground running, either. Given Korshkov’s extensive half-decade history of playing against grown men in the KHL, his acclimation process may not be as difficult as it often can be for prospects in their first taste of North American ice.

That being said, Korshkov has never produced at a high offensive clip at any point in his career. His most productive KHL season, coming back in 2017-18, saw the 22-year-old manage a respectable 26 points in 52 games, albeit with only 8 goals. Korshkov’s goal totals never cracked the double-digit barrier. He ended this current season with a scant 5 points in 19 games.

According to NHL.com’s Igor Eronko, however, that may not be entirely Korshkov’s fault.

There’s a significant chance that Korshkov finds that chance on the Marlies. And if he happens to take advantage of it, the prospect who Leaf fans deride for having been chosen over Alex DeBrincat back in 2016 may very well change that narrative entirely.

News of Korshkov’s contract status has been to be released. More to come.

Thanks for reading!