The Toronto Maple Leafs had 12 selections in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. Today we take a look to see which players (of those 12 who have been playing) have been notable so far this season.
Although in North America most players and teams are still in offseason mode, in Europe a number and teams and players and a quarter way through their seasons. Of the 12 selections that the Toronto Maple Leafs made this year, nine of them have started their 2020-21 campaign.
They are: Rodion Amirov, Roni Hirvonen, Topi Niemela, Artur Akhtyamov, William Villeneuve, Dimitri Ovchinnikov, Axel Rindell, Joe Miller, and Wyatt Schingoethe.
The three who haven’t resumed play yet, are Veeti Miettinen, John Fusco, and Ryan Tverberg, who are patiently waiting for the start of their respective seasons so they can get right back onto the development path to becoming hopeful NHL players.
Five of the nine players playing so far this season have made notable presents and steps in their development.
We begin our midseason update of these five players with Russian winger Rodion Amirov.
Rodion Amirov
Age: 19
H/W: 6’0″/168 lbs
POS: LW/RW
Current Team: Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
Drafted: 15th Overall (Round 1) 2020 NHL Entry Draft
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired the 15th overall pick from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Kasperi Kapanen deal earlier this offseason. With the 15th overall pick, the Leafs selected Russian winger Rodion Amirov.
Amirov is a high skilled silky winger with a truly high ceiling. At only 19 years of age in the KHL, the Salavat native has over 40 games of experience in the second-best league in the world as well as has already represented his country at national levels.
Former NHL player and NeutralZone Scout, Ian Moran was on Spittin Chiclets for an interview earlier this offseason to discuss the draft. When mentioning Amirov, here’s what Moran had to say, “…Amirov’s a skill kid – he can be a little bit like Kuvherov. He’s a little lefty kid. He’s strong on the puck … he’s got a really quick release, he can protect the puck forever and he’s only 165 lbs. The Leafs got him in the middle of the first round, and he’s a kid who also could be questioned why he wasn’t up higher.”
In 19 games this season Amriov has tallied 3 goals and 6 points while drawing a lot of eyes his way. Although his TOI was starting to dwindle down to the measly 4-7 minute range at the end of the October month leading into November, he has since turned on the heat. (stats from en.khl.ru).
Amirov was chosen to represent Russia at the 4-team Karjala Cup tournament. Last week in 3 games against Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic, Amirov potted 3 goals and added another shootout goal in the win against Sweden. He was also then named the top forward of the tournament.
Despite the challenges he’s faced, Amirov has continued to surprise and succeed overseas. Already playing well above standards for his age in Russia, it is likely that Amirov will represent Russia at U20 WJC in December, and it will surely be exciting to see what he can bring to the table on the smaller ice here in North America.