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

[stickty111]

I trust zeke. I think it makes sense for the Leafs to bring him over after this year and get him acclimated to NA game in the AHL and give him a fair shot at training camp next year. We're going to need ELCs in the lineup over the next few years and quality ones at that. I think it makes too much sense for us to try and slide him into our lineup within the next 2 years, perhaps as soon as next season. He's NHL ready at this point, just needs to play bigger minutes which he's not going to get in the KHL. AHL we can ensure he gets ice time and can refine his offensive game more and learn to be the go-to guy. We did it with Nylander too. He was toiling on trash teams in the SHL and was on the verge of losing quality playing time and we brought him over and slotted him as the top C for the Marlies.

I'm with you. Amirov is already pretty polished and already a good defensive player and PK. He could hold his own playing next year.

 

[Fatass]

I'm with you. Amirov is already pretty polished and already a good defensive player and PK. He could hold his own playing next year.

Yup. This guy is already good enough to be in the Toronto lineup.

 

[Mickey Marner]

The KHL-NHL transfer agreement isn't the same as other leagues. He will play out his contract(s) in Russia.

 

[nobody]

The KHL-NHL transfer agreement isn't the same as other leagues. He will play out his contract(s) in Russia.

This season, yes. But his contract in the KHL expires after this year. There were rumors of him re-upping for 2 more years but I'd rather he develops in NA with the Leafs or Marlies. Unlike previous Russian prospects on other teams who stayed in Russia, Amirov is NHL ready and a very polished 200 foot player already. He could easily handle 3rd line minutes for the Leafs at this very moment so keeping him in the KHL doesn't make a ton of sense. That route is intended more for guys like Ovchennikov who is going to take a while to develop.

 

[nobody]

What a point to him to come and play in the AHL, if he can play in the KHL for 5-10 times bigger money?

I mean, I can totally see him staying if he's getting paid more money there. But he's not a superstar level prospect. He's not a Kuznetsov or Kaprizov type who's getting locked down by CSKA and other top tier clubs and getting money thrown at him. He's playing for a relatively middle tier (financially) team who is veteran-heavy and he's never been touted highly enough to warrant a huge payday. If he comes to NA, chances are at some point next season, he's going to be an NHLer and he's going to make upwards of 800K+.

If someone's familiar with his proposed contract from Salavat, I'd love to know what the numbers are that are being thrown around (In USD).

 

[Kshahdoo]

I mean, I can totally see him staying if he's getting paid more money there. But he's not a superstar level prospect. He's not a Kuznetsov or Kaprizov type who's getting locked down by CSKA and other top tier clubs and getting money thrown at him. He's playing for a relatively middle tier (financially) team who is veteran-heavy and he's never been touted highly enough to warrant a huge payday. If he comes to NA, chances are at some point next season, he's going to be an NHLer and he's going to make upwards of 800K+.

If someone's familiar with his proposed contract from Salavat, I'd love to know what the numbers are that are being thrown around (In USD).

He won't be NHL ready next season for sure. Not sure about his D+3 season, but 2 more seasons in the KHL isn't the worst thing to his development. So I think 2023 is when he'll come.

 

[foggyvisor]

The KHL-NHL transfer agreement isn't the same as other leagues. He will play out his contract(s) in Russia.

Doesn't matter. Didn't you read Zeke's posts??

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

He won't be NHL ready next season for sure. Not sure about his D+3 season, but 2 more seasons in the KHL isn't the worst thing to his development. So I think 2023 is when he'll come.

I think one more season in the K, then coming over would be the ideal scenario for me. At that point I'd expect him to be ready to step into a top 9 role. I'm fine w him coming over after this season or waiting for 2, I have confidence he'll be developed the right way .

 

[Boxscore]

When I watch him play I see some similarities to a young Jeff Carter.

 

[dedutchhockey]

Leafs have too many Amirov type players in lineup.


I wouldn’t be surprised if they used him as a bargaining chip in a blockbuster trade to bolster the blue line maybe this year or next.

Amirov is probably 3-4 years away from seeing NHL action. That doesn’t really fit with the cores window and timeline.

Leafs are win now mode.

I enjoy watching Amirov play. I always cheer for him and Podz

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Leafs have too many Amirov type players in lineup.


I wouldn’t be surprised if they used him as a bargaining chip in a blockbuster trade to bolster the blue line maybe this year or next.

Amirov is probably 3-4 years away from seeing NHL action. That doesn’t really fit with the cores window and timeline.

Leafs are win now mode.

I enjoy watching Amirov play. I always cheer for him and Podz

Hes only that far away if he signs a KHL extension: Hes not lacking readiness or ability otherwise. Hes also very good defensively; doesnt everyone say that the Leafs need to tighten things up in that regard? Forwards included? Podz is apparently NHL ready but Amirov who is arguably more talented is still 3 plus years away? Doesn't add up.

 

[dedutchhockey]

Hes only that far away if he signs a KHL extension: Hes not lacking readiness or ability otherwise. Hes also very good defensively; doesnt everyone say that the Leafs need to tighten things up in that regard? Forwards included? Podz is apparently NHL ready but Amirov who is arguably more talented is still 3 plus years away? Doesn't add up.

Amirov has more offensive finish than Podz but he is nowhere near having his complete heavy game especially board battles.

people say Podz is NHL ready because he can literally play anywhere in the lineup and make a difference.

1st line to 4th line

PK to PP

however with Amirov I think you need to have him in your top 6 if you’re gonna bring him into the NHL in the next 2 years or so.

i don’t think he will excel in a bottom 6 role, it would be like the Kapanen situation all over again.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Amirov has more offensive finish than Podz but he is nowhere near having his complete heavy game especially board battles.

people say Podz is NHL ready because he can literally play anywhere in the lineup and make a difference.

1st line to 4th line

PK to PP

however with Amirov I think you need to have him in your top 6 if you’re gonna bring him into the NHL in the next 2 years or so.

i don’t think he will excel in a bottom 6 role, it would be like the Kapanen situation all over again.

He can play top9, I'd say, because 3rd lines need to score too nowadays, and he has enough grittiness.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Leafs have too many Amirov type players in lineup.


I wouldn’t be surprised if they used him as a bargaining chip in a blockbuster trade to bolster the blue line maybe this year or next.

Amirov is probably 3-4 years away from seeing NHL action. That doesn’t really fit with the cores window and timeline.

Leafs are win now mode.

I enjoy watching Amirov play. I always cheer for him and Podz

not exactly correct. leafs are more in “win for the next 15 years” mode, which warrants keeping good young and particularly cheap players around. not to say the spirit of your post wrong, but if such a trade did happen i imagine it would be for a similarly young defenseman who may also be 2-3yrs away.

 

[Atas2000]

Leafs have too many Amirov type players in lineup.


I wouldn’t be surprised if they used him as a bargaining chip in a blockbuster trade to bolster the blue line maybe this year or next.

Amirov is probably 3-4 years away from seeing NHL action. That doesn’t really fit with the cores window and timeline.

Leafs are win now mode.

I enjoy watching Amirov play. I always cheer for him and Podz

Exactly. I rather see a lot teams wanting a player like Amirov.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Amirov has more offensive finish than Podz but he is nowhere near having his complete heavy game especially board battles.

people say Podz is NHL ready because he can literally play anywhere in the lineup and make a difference.

1st line to 4th line

PK to PP

however with Amirov I think you need to have him in your top 6 if you’re gonna bring him into the NHL in the next 2 years or so.

i don’t think he will excel in a bottom 6 role, it would be like the Kapanen situation all over again.

Hed be fine In a top 9 role. Hes both good defensively and as others have mentioned you need some skill from your 3rd line these days, and hed fit like a glove. Kapanen was a bull In a China shop. Great tools /speed but very slow processor. Not an issue with Amirov whatsoever ; he's already very cerebral.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Hed be fine In a top 9 role. Hes both good defensively and as others have mentioned you need some skill from your 3rd line these days, and hed fit like a glove. Kapanen was a bull In a China shop. Great tools /speed but very slow processor. Not an issue with Amirov whatsoever ; he's already very cerebral.

Though I don’t think cerebral is the kind if play that Keefe is going to be looking for on the 3rd line. But if he’s too good to leave off the team that may be where he’d slot in.

Dubas has already talked about having players like Robertson and Amirov coming into their own around the time that players like Nylander, Marner, Matthews reach their 30’s, suggesting that Dubas may not hesitate to cut loose some of these players reaching the end of their primes if they can be replaced by younger core pieces. But like many have said someone like Amirov is at least 2-3yrs away from eclipsing someone like Nylander with a prime spot.

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

Though I don’t think cerebral is the kind if play that Keefe is going to be looking for on the 3rd line. But if he’s too good to leave off the team that may be where he’d slot in.

Dubas has already talked about having players like Robertson and Amirov coming into their own around the time that players like Nylander, Marner, Matthews reach their 30’s, suggesting that Dubas may not hesitate to cut loose some of these players reaching the end of their primes if they can be replaced by younger core pieces. But like many have said someone like Amirov is at least 2-3yrs away from eclipsing someone like Nylander with a prime spot.

2 to 3 years to eclipse a guy like Nylander and being ready for the NHL are two different propositions. By cerebral I mean more high hockey iq, than specific style of play. I think that's needed on any line. Hed have the ability to move up as the core ages/pieces move as you suggest.

 

[leafsfan2point0]

Skills:

Hockey IQ
Two-way ability
Skating
Shot
Plays a pro style game

Weaknesses:

Nothing Glaring


Not much to dislike about this prospect

 

[majormajor]

Amirov has more offensive finish than Podz but he is nowhere near having his complete heavy game especially board battles.

people say Podz is NHL ready because he can literally play anywhere in the lineup and make a difference.

1st line to 4th line

PK to PP

however with Amirov I think you need to have him in your top 6 if you’re gonna bring him into the NHL in the next 2 years or so.

i don’t think he will excel in a bottom 6 role, it would be like the Kapanen situation all over again.

That's funny because Kapanen is far better as a checking forward than as a skilled line complement. He's a bullet train that throws away the puck. Let that guy do his thing but not when your better players are on the ice.

Amirov was drafted as a guy with excellent puck possession skill and ability to play with talent. It makes sense that the Leafs would draft him because he can step in with say Tavares in a couple of years, and it means the Leafs are less reliant on keeping all of their expensive elite forwards. Wingers generally hit their prime sooner, too, so the Leafs can get value out of him on a cheap 1st or 2nd contract.

Skills:

Hockey IQ
Two-way ability
Skating
Shot
Plays a pro style game

Weaknesses:

Nothing Glaring


Not much to dislike about this prospect

At some point the Leafs are going to need to make the transition the Lightning did and get very serious about adding heavy playoff style players. Let's just say Amirov is not that. He's wiry and not very good on the wall even against his peers.

 

[leafsfan2point0]

At some point the Leafs are going to need to make the transition the Lightning did and get very serious about adding heavy playoff style players. Let's just say Amirov is not that. He's wiry and not very good on the wall even against his peers.

I agree he might need to fill out a little, but adding skill is never a bad strategy.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

breaking: child is not large enough to play in nhl.

it’s really exhausting to always see the same posts for any player that’s less than 190lbs that they need to fill out to play in the nhl. i really don’t think it needs to be said, nor is it always correct, nor is it something that any player 5’11 or up can’t do, or would have much trouble doing. the player’s weight is the least risky thing standing in their path to the nhl.

 

[notbias]

delete

 

[majormajor]

breaking: child is not large enough to play in nhl.

it’s really exhausting to always see the same posts for any player that’s less than 190lbs that they need to fill out to play in the nhl. i really don’t think it needs to be said, nor is it always correct, nor is it something that any player 5’11 or up can’t do, or would have much trouble doing. the player’s weight is the least risky thing standing in their path to the nhl.

It's a tiring cliche because just about every kid needs to add a lot of muscle, and almost all of them do.

But if you bother to read this is clearly a comment about his performance on the wall vs his peers. It's not about him not being ready to play in the NHL.

I'm responding to a comment that implied that Amirov has zero weaknesses, it's an invitation for nuance. Be less offended please.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

It's a tiring cliche because just about every kid needs to add a lot of muscle, and almost all of them do.

But if you bother to read this is clearly a comment about his performance on the wall vs his peers. It's not about him not being ready to play in the NHL.

I'm responding to a comment that implied that Amirov has zero weaknesses, it's an invitation for nuance. Be less offended please.

you’re just getting caught in the crossfire between size talk here and in the niemela thread. nothing personal to you i just see it being discussed so much because dubas isn’t somehow drafting skilled 6’3 defensemen in the 4th round.