Semyon Der-Arguchintsev #7
Der-Arguchintsev is the prototypical prospect for a competing team: enough flaws to make him available when you have a chance to pick him, but enough talent that you have a chance to find a diamond in the rough.
Der-Argushintsev just finished his fourth OHL season where he partnered with Nick Robertson and scored 75 points in 55 games. He is now in the KHL where he has only played eight games so far.
A small 20-year-old centre who shoots right, SDA was picked in the 3rd round of the 2018 draft. Like Robertson in 2019, the Leafs made him the youngest player picked in the draft. Though a completely different player than Brazeau, SDA represents a similar blend of high-end talent and long odds to make the show. But if he makes it….
SDA will likely get a starring role in the AHL this year, or at least the opportunity to take one. For now, he’s getting his first taste of pro hockey in the KHL, and after this year we should have a much better idea of his career potential.
Basically, no one doubts that he has NHL All Star talent, they just wonder how he’ll handle NHL defensemen given he lacks both size and blazing speed. Still, he wouldn’t be the first small player to make a living with world class passing skills and not much else.
SDA is also a player who is universally loved wherever he goes. Nearly every article you read mentions his great attitude, winning personality and dedication to improvement. When you look at the pattern that emergences while your analyzing Leafs draft picks, along with skill and intelligence, the team seems to be dedicated to finding mature, personable and dedicated kids to draft.
Der-Arguchintsev exemplifies everything the Leafs look for, and the fact that they believe in him seems to be his best selling point as a prospect. I suspect we may one day look back and find it hard to believe how lowly the Leafs media ranked SDA as a prospect.