Ovchinnikov?
Ya absolutely, I'd love for the Leafs to take hold of his development. Unfortunately I just don't see that happening. Extremely rare for Russian developed prospects to make the jump overseas to slum it out in the minors.
The only thought that gives me hope with this plan is that maybe he has a jaded perspective of how he is being developed in Russia at this point. He was noted as being upset with not even being invited to Russia's WJC preliminary camp, and I cannot imagine he is thrilled being back in a league he is clearly too good for.
The other hurdle is his contract status, which I am not entirely sure where he stands on that. If he is under contract in Russia, he has to fulfill the terms of the agreement. Unless he and his club have a mutual parting of ways. Not impossible by any means, but it's just another road block he may face. Wherein, should he express interest in leaving his current club and they deny it, I can only imagine the potential backlash he will face the following year. Maybe an entire year of healthy scratches.
All of that would factor into his decision to come to NA. But I do hope it happens at some point personally.
