F Rodion Amirov (2020, 15th, TOR) - tragically passed away due to brain tumor 8/14/23

[nobody]

I swear, I clicked on the Amirov thread. Idk why I'm reading discussions on Podkolzin?

Amirov was the best forward in the tourney all around and his play was recognized as such by the tournament organizers. Good on the kid. Finally getting a chance to show out against his peers on the European stage instead of playing 5 minutes per night in the KHL. His skating and smooth edges reminds me a ton of Nik Ehlers. Him wearing #27 also helps with that perception. His shot is fantastic and unlike Ehlers in juniors or even now, Amirov knows where the defensive zone is and plays a fantastic two way transition game. The way he cuts around the ice down low and along the boards also reminds me a ton of Auston Matthews. Both guys use their bodies very effectively to shield defenders away from the puck and both have the smarts to make quick, chip plays to clear zones or make the next pass almost always to the right guy. Watching him along side Matthews one day hopefully will be a huge treat for us Leafs fans. Sprinkle in a little hustle from Hyman and their board play should be absolutely stellar.

I can't believe we got this kid at the 15th pick. I wasn't thrilled when Askarov got picked up by Nashville because he was the guy I was praying would drop (btw this Tournament just put another notch on his belt of dominance), but having watched him more closely post draft, I couldn't be more thrilled. Amirov looks like he's going to be a monster. I know some scouting reports and his agent mentioned comparisons to Kucherov and I can see that type of a ceiling. I would be more than happy if he turned into a better goal scoring version of Nik Kulemin for us. Kule was a f***ing monster playing on garbage Leaf teams.

 

[Atas2000]

They just both played in Karjala Cup on the same team, competing for ice time with one another so their games were being discussed with respect to one another. It hasn't been apparent that any Canucks fans have been in here, but @Atas2000 just made a remark about them that shows he has a preference to Pod's game which is fine. Hasn't really been much of an argument between who's better.

My exact words were "it was a toss" in reagrd to best forward selection. I never said one was better than the other. They play a different game. Amirov's might be easier to get and more appealing right away.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

My exact words were "it was a toss" in reagrd to best forward selection. I never said one was better than the other. They play a different game. Amirov's might be easier to get and more appealing right away.

Actually your exact words were:

Pod will remain that player who will get more recognition from people who actually watch and understand hockey

Which made it seem like you have a preference to Pod.

I also never claimed that you thought one was better than the other, just that you personally had a preference to Pod's game, that's all. By saying that Pod will get more recognition from those who actually understand hockey, it really casts preference to that player -- I guess only if you consider yourself one who actually understands hockey

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

I swear, I clicked on the Amirov thread. Idk why I'm reading discussions on Podkolzin?

They just both played in Karjala Cup on the same team, competing for ice time with one another so their games were being discussed with respect to one another. It hasn't been apparent that any Canucks fans have been in here, but @Atas2000 just made a remark about them that shows he has a preference to Pod's game which is fine. Hasn't really been much of an argument between who's better.

 

[nobody]

The post being referenced by the Canucks fan was one about Amirov getting awarded forward of the tournament. That post had absolutely zero to do with Podkolzin.

Amirov was a stud in this tournament and very well deserving of the top forward award. His two way game is phenomenal and his ability to come up clutch was on display in the late goal and shootout goals. I also noticed that he's capable of scoring in a variety of ways and he doesn't only depend on his teammates to set him up for chances. It's nice to see a young budding goal scorer being able to generate his own chances and be in the right spot at the right time. It's a vital skill.

 

[nobody]

Actually your exact words were:



Which made it seem like you have a preference to Pod.

I also never claimed that you thought one was better than the other, just that you personally had a preference to Pod's game, that's all. By saying that Pod will get more recognition from those who actually understand hockey, it really casts preference to that player -- I guess only if you consider yourself one who actually understands hockey

Agreed. The poster came in trying to pedal Podkolzin.

Big time players shine through. You don't have to be a hockey nerd to take notice.

 

[Atas2000]

Actually your exact words were:



Which made it seem like you have a preference to Pod.

I also never claimed that you thought one was better than the other, just that you personally had a preference to Pod's game, that's all. By saying that Pod will get more recognition from those who actually understand hockey, it really casts preference to that player -- I guess only if you consider yourself one who actually understands hockey

I was more about how it always is. A casual fan is not guilty of being a casual fan. And it easier to notice the attributes a player like Amirov offers. And that has nothing to do with rating players. I as a Team Russia fan want exactly both of them on my team, because their skills complement each other.

 

[Atas2000]

Agreed. The poster came in trying to pedal Podkolzin.

Big time players shine through. You don't have to be a hockey nerd to take notice.

Just like Datsyuk and Kucherov?

Apparently it took a whole lot of hockey nerdiness to see in them the players they have become at young age. Nobody is pedaling anyone here. It is just discussing players skillsets and abilities. They are different. And for the reasons I have already explained some skills get noticed all the time, some need a thorough look.

 

[Atas2000]

I swear, I clicked on the Amirov thread. Idk why I'm reading discussions on Podkolzin?

Amirov was the best forward in the tourney all around and his play was recognized as such by the tournament organizers. Good on the kid. Finally getting a chance to show out against his peers on the European stage instead of playing 5 minutes per night in the KHL. His skating and smooth edges reminds me a ton of Nik Ehlers. Him wearing #27 also helps with that perception. His shot is fantastic and unlike Ehlers in juniors or even now, Amirov knows where the defensive zone is and plays a fantastic two way transition game. The way he cuts around the ice down low and along the boards also reminds me a ton of Auston Matthews. Both guys use their bodies very effectively to shield defenders away from the puck and both have the smarts to make quick, chip plays to clear zones or make the next pass almost always to the right guy. Watching him along side Matthews one day hopefully will be a huge treat for us Leafs fans. Sprinkle in a little hustle from Hyman and their board play should be absolutely stellar.

I can't believe we got this kid at the 15th pick. I wasn't thrilled when Askarov got picked up by Nashville because he was the guy I was praying would drop (btw this Tournament just put another notch on his belt of dominance), but having watched him more closely post draft, I couldn't be more thrilled. Amirov looks like he's going to be a monster. I know some scouting reports and his agent mentioned comparisons to Kucherov and I can see that type of a ceiling. I would be more than happy if he turned into a better goal scoring version of Nik Kulemin for us. Kule was a f***ing monster playing on garbage Leaf teams.

There is nothing out of the ordinary discussing players who played on the same team and often were not only together on the ice, but also got points on the same goals.

 

[Atas2000]

Amirov and Podkolzin are both 2001 birth-dates. They really are the same year. Podkolzin is born in the last quarter of draft eligibles for 2019 (June 24th 2001) , whereas Amirov is born in the first quarter of 2020 draft eligibles (October 2nd 2001).

Not trying to get involved in this pissing match, but they should essentially be viewed as the same age. They came from the same country, and are born only about 3 months apart in the same calendar year. The NHL draft date is really just an arbitrary number due to when prospective players will legally be adults for the start of training camp.

By all means.

 

[M2Beezy]

One of my faves from the draft and really showing again now, great pick by the Leafs could be top 5 in redrafts for years to come

 

[ER89]

It feels weird. Um er the sedin girls suck? Amidointhisrite?

Man would love to see these two in the juniors. Will be fun.

 

[De Montreal]

He's seen as a high IQ guy, do you think he project as a centre in the future?

 

[hockeeyyy]

He's seen as a high IQ guy, do you think he project as a centre in the future?

No. He projects as a top six winger. But I will say that the floor being “low” may have been a bit of a miss. He seems like he’s going to be an easy top nine winger with a high ceiling if the skill level translates.

 

[weems]

 

[Namikaze Minato]

Kid is showing hes a beast, hopefully some extra ice time will see him grow even more.

 

[Namikaze Minato]

Could be interesting if he signs there for 2 more seasons, wonder if his treatment this year will be what he uses to determine if he wants to stay or attempt to come to NA.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Could be interesting if he signs there for 2 more seasons, wonder if his treatment this year will be what he uses to determine if he wants to stay or attempt to come to NA.

I frankly think he will just take their word for it if he's promised a bigger role for upcoming seasons. Salavat isn't like SKA or CSKA who have myriads of players and can bury pretty much anyone in the depth chart. They will play him and he will be making at least 5 times more money than he would in the AHL so I think this extension is almost certain. He is in the perfect situation there, no reason to throw it away.

 

[Namikaze Minato]

I frankly think he will just take their word for it if he's promised a bigger role for upcoming seasons. Salavat isn't like SKA or CSKA who have myriads of players and can bury pretty much anyone in the depth chart. They will play him and he will be making at least 5 times more money than he would in the AHL so I think this extension is almost certain. He is in the perfect situation there, no reason to throw it away.

I dont have much knowledge on KHL wages, what would a youngster like him be looking at for a 2 year extension, and does that pay stay the same if a player is in the MHL/VHL or is it similar to AHL/NHL deals?

 

[SoundAndFury]

I dont have much knowledge on KHL wages, what would a youngster like him be looking at for a 2 year extension, and does that pay stay the same if a player is in the MHL/VHL or is it similar to AHL/NHL deals?

Not all KHL salaries are published so it's all conjecture but on a team like Salavat solid low-end roster player would be paid around 330k dollars (25kk rubles). Since most hope he would be more than that, especially in the 2nd year, I think a slightly higher salary would be the offer. But keep in mind it's basically tax-free.

Oh and yes, two-way contracts work the same way.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Not all KHL salaries are published so it's all conjecture but on a team like Salavat solid low-end roster player would be paid around 330k dollars (25kk rubles). Since most hope he would be more than that, especially in the 2nd year, I think a slightly higher salary would be the offer. But keep in mind it's basically tax-free.

Yea so he would need to play about half games in the NHL to break even on that value on a max ELC. Hanging out in the KHL for 2yrs would make financial sense.

 

[LeafChief]

 

[ponder]

Could be interesting if he signs there for 2 more seasons, wonder if his treatment this year will be what he uses to determine if he wants to stay or attempt to come to NA.

As a Leafs fan, I’d be fine with that. He’d be 21 at the end of that deal, and by that time would likely have developed into a very good KHL player, ready to step right into the NHL.

Ideally, I’d prefer a 1 year extension, giving him more flexibility to spend his D+3 season in the KHL or AHL ... but I’d be fine with a 2 year extension as well. The KHL has been a good place to develop for tonnes of top Russian prospects.

 

[LeafChief]

As a Leafs fan, I’d be fine with that. He’d be 21 at the end of that deal, and by that time would likely have developed into a very good KHL player, ready to step right into the NHL.

Ideally, I’d prefer a 1 year extension, giving him more flexibility to spend his D+3 season in the KHL or AHL ... but I’d be fine with a 2 year extension as well. The KHL has been a good place to develop for tonnes of top Russian prospects.

It's probably the best thing for his development. I assume with a 2 year contract extension, the club will give him more ice time as well.

Would be nice to get a Tarasenko/Kuznetsov-esque type product when he comes over (not suggesting he plays a similar style or will be as good as those two).

 

[Leafidelity]

Matt Frattin sighting