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5 Players Toronto Maple Leafs Could Pick In First Round

By Stephen Nixon

OSHAWA, ON - JANUARY 26: Tyson Foerster #71 of the Barrie Colts skates with the puck during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on January 26, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)
OSHAWA, ON - JANUARY 26: Tyson Foerster #71 of the Barrie Colts skates with the puck during an OHL game against the Oshawa Generals at the Tribute Communities Centre on January 26, 2020 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: (l-r) Kyle Dubas and Brendan Shanahan of the Toronto Maple Leafs handle the draft table during the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

#4. Rodion Amirov, LW (Toplar Ufa, MHL)

This description by Dobber Prospects, should get any Leafs fan excited about Amirov:

"“Amirov is simply one of the best two-way players eligible for the 2020 Draft. Despite a lack of strength and size, he reads the ice well in the defensive zone to be in the right areas, block lanes, and apply pressure.”"

Although a scoring right-winger would be great for the Leafs like Foerster, a two-way player could be a better fit for this team. Ranked anywhere between 15-22 in most mock drafts, Amirov has a smart hockey IQ and is on his way to becoming a top-six player in the NHL.

Amirov has an advantage over some prospects, because he’s playing against men in the KHL and has looked good. He’s a little undersized weighing only 165 pounds, but with growth and age that should change.

With comparisons to Jake DeBrusk, Amirov has a net-front scoring presence that should excel him to become a full-time NHLer for the foresseable future.

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