An Overseas Update on 4 Toronto Maple Leafs Loan Players

The Toronto Maple Leafs countless number of players on loan overseas have already started their 2020-21 season. Here’s an update on the notable ones.

Due to the circumstances of COVID-19 holding off play for leagues in North America, a number of players settled to go on Loan overseas to keep up their games. Notable Toronto Maple Leafs names include Yegor Korshkov, Filip Hallander, Denis Malgin, and Mikko Lehtonen.

Today we look at where these players have ended up, what their stats look like, and a possible ETA for them to make the jump to the big leagues.

We Begin with Korshkov.

Yegor Korshkov

Age: 24

H/W: 6’4″/214 lbs

POS:  RW

Current Team: Yaroslavl Lokomotiv (KHL)

Last season Korshkov spent the majority in the AHL with a very sub-par Marlies team. The Russian winger put up 16 goals and 25 points in 44 games – not too bad for his first trip onto North American ice.

This season Korshkov chose to return back to the KHL and the team the Leafs drafted him from, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. In 13 games so far Korshkov has put up 5 goals and 11 points in 13 games while logging 15:59 TOI/G as well as maintaining a 17.2 SH% with the club.

Standing at 6’4″, 214  Yegor uses his size to establish a strong NetFront presence. That along with his ability to find the open man at will has the potential for Korshkov to become a full-time NHL power forward over the next couple of years.

One area for improvement for the winger could be to play the body more.  With his size, it would be nice to see that number rise over the course of the season.

Sure sometimes KHL hockey doesn’t always translate to NHL but, Korshkov’s most productive season next to the current one was his last season with the Marlies. He has started to elevate his game and teams should watch out or they may not see this big man coming.

Filip Hållander

Age: 20

H/W: 6’0″/190lbs

POS: C

Current Team: Lulea HF (SHL)

Filip Hållander was brought over to the Leafs in the Kasperi Kapanen deal earlier this offseason. Although he was drafted by Pittsburgh, 58th overall in 2018, per @MarkhMasters the Toronto Maple Leafs and Dubas have had an interest in Hållander since draft day.

This season Hållander has remained with Luleå of the SHL and so far has put up 1 goal and 1 assist in 5 games. Hållander is smart and makes the right decisions on both sides of the puck in all 3 zones on the ice. Perhaps later this season or next, Hållander will make the trip over to North America and start his journey in the AHL with the Marlies.

Swedes have built a reputation for being high skill, smart, efficient two-way hockey players. It would seem Hållander play fits this mold and in a number of years when the current Leafs Core is starting to age, Hållander could step in and be a very effective middle-6 player.

Mikko Lehtonen

Age: 26

H/W: 5’11″/196lbs

POS: D

Current Team: Jokerit Helsinki (KHL)

If your a Toronto Maple Leafs Fan and have not heard of the Finnish defenseman Mikko Lehtonen, you’ve probably been living under a rock. The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Lehtonen in May and due to the Pandemic, he has remained on loan from the Leafs and is for Jokerit of the KHL for the time being. Oh and don’t let me forget, he is lighting it up.

Lehtonen has now registered 13 points in 10 games. He still leads all KHL defenceman in scoring and it doesn’t seem he’ll be slowing down any time soon. Lehtonen’s smooth-skating, head up vision, and silky mitts make him a lethal weapon from the backend.

Lehtonen is no stranger to big minutes as well. With Jokerit, he is leading his team with a 22:11 TOI/G. He’s got the knack for scoring too. In 10 games, he’s taken 46 shots and has scored 6 goals for a 13.0 SH%. On Friday alone Lehtonen took 7 shots while still notching an assist.

The question isn’t if Lehtonen will be on the Toronto Maple Leafs roster, but rather where he’ll end up. Once the NHL does start back up (presumably in January) Lehtonen will join the Leafs in at least a top-six role.

His offensive capability will make him an excellent 1B powerplay option after Morgan Rielly and that’s exactly where newly appointed PP coach Manny Malhotra will want to put him. Beyond the PP, Lehtonen’s ability to play big minutes allows him to slide up and down the lineup if injuries present themselves.

(Unless otherwise noted, all stats hockeydb.com)

That concludes your Toronto Maple Leafs overseas roundup.