Toronto Maple Leafs Notable 2020 Draft Pick Update
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.
Roni Hirvonen
Age: 18
H/W: 5’9″/170 lbs
POS: C
Current Team: Ässät (Liiga)
Drafted: 59th Overall (Round 2) 2020 NHL Entry Draft
To start off the slew of Finns the Toronto Maple Leafs took in this draft, Roni Hirvonen was selected with the lone second-round pick the Leafs held.
Standing at 5’9″, what Hirvonen lacks for in size, he makes up for in skill and on-ice intelligence. He has the hands to dish to teammates, as well the smarts to find open ice and bury home goals. His skating could still use some work, but at only 18, that will come with time.
In regards to the number of Finns the Toronto Maple Leafs selected, here’s what Moran had to say, “The Finns play in a hybrid sheet [of ice] – it’s not as big as an Olympic size of ice, but not as small NHL so there’s a little bit more grinding … You know what the Finns are like, they’re gonna be hard to play against and protect the puck well. They might not be huge but they have good skills, good feet, and you know that’s what Toronto’s got in their picks here.”
According to hockeydb.com In 15 games with Ässät of the top league in Finland, the Liiga, the Finnish Centre has posted 3 goals and 5 points.
Topi Niemela
Age: 18
H/W: 6’0″/163 lbs
POS: D
Current Team: Kärpät (Liiga)
Drafted: 64th Overall (Round 3) 2020 NHL Entry Draft
Topi Niemela was selected only 5 picks after Hirvonen and was the second of four Finns taken by Dubas in the draft. Some rankings had him ranked as high as 41st overall.
Leafs take 156-pound right-shooting Finnish D Topi Niemela with the 64th pick.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) October 7, 2020
Here's @coreypronman who had him ranked 41st overall: pic.twitter.com/G0vWlgIY5g
Niemela who played a limited role with Kärpät of the Liiga last year has seen his role grow for this season. Last season Niemela had an ATOI of 12:50, this season that has been up as high as 20:31 with an average of 14:41.
This season Niemela has played 6 games with both Kärpät’s U20 team as well as their professional men’s team. In his 6 games with the U20 Team, he notched 1 goal and 4 points while playing alongside fellow Leafs prospect defenseman, Kalle Lopenen. In the 6 games in the men’s league, Niemela has put up 2 assists.
Like a number of other Toronto Maple Leafs prospects, it’s likely that Hirvonen and Niemela will come to Canada to represent the Finns at the international stage in the U20 WJC in December where we will be able to get a closer look and see really what they both have to offer to the Leafs.
Artur Akhtyamov
Age: 19
H/W: 6’1″/157 lbs
POS: G
Current Team: Ak Bars Kazan (KHL)
Drafted: 106th Overall (Round 4) 2020 NHL Entry Draft
There has been a history over the last few years of Russia be a goalie pumping machine for the NHL. Notable names including Andrei Vasilevsky, Igor Shestyorkin, Ilya Samsonov, and Alexandar Georgiev. Akhtyamov, although undersized has great potential to come through the ranks as one of the next top Russian Goaltenders.
At the young ripe age of 19, Akhtyamov has already competed in the best league in Russia, the KHL. In 3 games in the KHL with Ak Bars Kazan, he recorded a SV% of .904 and a GAA of 2.90 with a record of 0-1-1.
Akhtyamov has also competed in the top two junior leagues in Russia this season, the VHL, and the MHL. In the VHL, Akhtyamov in 6 games has maintained a .940 SV% and a sub 1.30 GAA with a record of 3-1-2. Then in the MHL in 3 games has maintained a .926 SV% and sub 1.67 GAA with a 3-0-0 record.
Through this highlight package, you can see although small, Akhtyamov has the reflexes to react to any puck and then quickly transition to making the second chance save. He still has some work to do on his rebound control, but his positioning and reaction time is there.
Along with fellow Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov, Akhtyamov went with the Russian national team to compete in the Karjala Cup where he served as a backup to Nashville’s 11th overall pick, Yaroslav Askarov.
Unfortunately playing behind a goalie as talented as Askarov, Akhtyamov was not given the chance to play in the tournament. Regardless of not playing, it is still apparent that Akhtyamov is held in high regard as a young Russian Goaltender and has lots of potential.
Along with everyone else on this list, Akhtyamov will have a pretty decent shot at making Russia’s U20 team for the WJC in December, but it’s likely he would still be playing behind Askarov.
Dimitri Ovchinnikov
Age: 18
H/W: 5’11″/163 lbs
POS: F
Current Team: Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk (MHL)
Drafted: 137th Overall (Round 5) 2020 NHL Entry Draft
Ovchinnikov, small in stature still holds loads of skill that proves lethal to defensemen and goalies alike. The speed, the hands, the shot, it’s all there.
Ovchinnikov started off in September with Sibir Novosibirsk of the KHL, but after being given 2 measly 6 and 7-minute outings where he was held pointless, he was sent down to the MHL affiliate, Sibirskie Snaipery Novosibirsk. Just like last season in the MHL, Ovchinnikov lit it up.
In just 14 games, he put up 9 goals and 22 points. Last week, he had 10 points in a four-game span while coming off of injury. From this performance, Ovchinnikov was named the MHL forward of the week.
Ovchinnikov was called back up to the KHL for a game Sunday, however he was held to a meager, 0:45 TOI with only one shift. With an ATOI of 3:45 this season in the KHL, it’s obvious he is being held back.
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There is much that Ovchinnikov has left to show us. He just needs the opportunity and surely he’ll perform just like he has at every level. The chance of Ovchinnikov making the U20 team this year may be a dream for the young winger, but weirder things have happened. If his development continues and he is given the right opportunities hopefully there is another skillful young winger coming up through the ranks.