Toronto Maple Leafs Signing Overshadowed By World Events

The Toronto Maple Leafs last played on March 10th, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The next day, world events forced the Toronto Maple Leafs (and the rest of the NHL) to go on hiatus.

We have no idea when or in what form the season will resume.

However, one bit of news that was overshadowed by the pause of the season, was that the Leafs signed prospect Mikhail Abramov.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Mikhail Abramov

Mikhail Abramov was signed to a three-year entry level deal with the Leafs last week.

The Leafs drafted Abramov in the fourth round, 115th overall, this past June.

Abramov was the Leafs third pick of the draft after Nick Robertson (signed) and Mikko Kokkkonen (unsigned).

Despite not having a first round pick, the Leafs seem to have done relatively well in this draft.  Robertson scored 50 goals in less than 50 games, was the youngest player in the draft and would most likely go in the top ten this year if he had been born three or four days later.

Mikko Kokkonen has also drawn rave reviews. I can’t remember where, because it was months ago, but I remember reading a quote of someone saying he was “good at everything,”  which is always nice to hear about a third round pick.

As for Abramov, he has upped his point count by 20 since last year, and has 35 goals playing in the QMJHL.

The 5’9,154 LBS Russian Centre was called a “great playmaker with high-end vision” by The Athletics Cory Pronman.

Small, great vision, intelligent, highly skilled. That sums up just about every prospect the Leafs have.  NHL teams tend to overrate size as a positive factor when drafting, and this allows a team like the Leafs to potentially score some gems in the later rounds.

It’s worked out well so far in the two drafts under Kyle Dubas.  In 2018 they drafted Rasmus Sandin, a steal at 29th.  They then drafted Sean Durzi, who was good enough to be flipped in a trade for Jake Muzzin, and with their third pick they got Semyon Der-Arguchintsev who has 75 points in 55 games.

This past draft saw them get Robertson, Kokkonen and Abramov, all three of whom are said to be having strong seasons.  The Leafs could easily be looking at going 6/6 with their first thee picks in each of the last two drafts making the NHL.

Only time will tell, but the Toronto Maple Leafs draft philosophy is looking good early on.  (Not to mention the extra picks they picked up by trading down to get Sandin, or to take on the cap hit of Lehner in exchange for a free 5th rounder).

There is really no downside to drafting based on skill and hockey sense, especially in a game like hockey where quality non-star players (like Nick Shore, Kenny Agostino and Garrett Wilson) can be had for free every off-season.

If you think about it along these lines, there is no upside at all in drafting players who “can make the NHL.”   Every single pick should be used on players who possess at least one skill or attribute that gives them a high ceiling and a shot at stardom.

The Leafs have signed Mikhail Abramov.  He doesn’t have the overall skill set of a first rounder, and he’s not a sure thing to make the NHL.  But his elite vision and hockey sense give him the chance at stardom.

Abramov is a good representative of the Toronto Maple Leafs vision under Kyle Dubas, and it will be interesting to watch his career develop.