The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed promising forward prospect Rodion Amirov to a three-year entry-level contract. This should be very exciting for Leafs fans as Amirov is one of the team’s more exciting players of the future. The team announced the signing Thursday morning.
🖋 We’ve signed forward Rodion Amirov to a three-year entry level contract for the 2021-22 season. #LeafsForever
Details » https://t.co/XMNUb1wVQ5 pic.twitter.com/Pvj7qWGcg9
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) April 15, 2021
Maple Leafs Sign Rodion Amirov
Amirov has had a strong 2020-21 playing at various levels of the Russian hockey system. The majority of his time has been spent with Salavat at the KHL level where he has nine goals and 13 points in 39 games. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but he is still just 19 years old playing in one of the three best leagues in the world. Amirov has scored nearly a point per game in almost every other situation this year.
The Leafs originally drafted Amirov in the first round of the most recent 2020 Draft. He has a solid frame at 6’0″, 177-pounds that he uses to establish himself in front of the net on offence. He is a strong skater with good speed and acceleration that allows him to play in both directions. Amirov also has very good offensive skills that should make him a solid top-six player. He just needs to work on getting stronger for the professional game in North America.
What This Means For The Future
Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reports that Amirov will likely stay in the KHL as a loaned player for 2021-22. However, he will have a good chance to make the NHL roster in 2022-23. Toronto could have several openings on offence over the next several seasons. Amirov could seize one of them if he has a strong 2021-22 season in Russia, but the Leafs have not pushed prospects into the NHL quickly in recent years. It will be interesting to see how the team shapes its roster this offseason if they anticipate adding Amirov. He has upside, but the team won’t sacrifice a good roster now just to give him a future role.
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