RW Yegor Korshkov - Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, KHL (2016, 31st, TOR, traded to CAR)

[McNurse]

I questioned the pick when the leafs first made it. But after seeing highlights and a complete shift by shift videos, this kid has insane skill and tools. He can easily become a good to great hockey player

 

[Caser]

 

[Caser]

 

[Knies iT]

I think he could play in the NHL right now. Likely won't come over for at least another year or two at the least, but when he does, he could be a premiere power forward in the top 9.

 

[DitchMarner]

I think he could play in the NHL right now. Likely won't come over for at least another year or two at the least, but when he does, he could be a premiere power forward in the top 9.

If there's a player in the Leafs' system who can replace JVR internally, it has to be Korshkov.

Grundstrom should be more of a major upgrade over a guy like Hyman or Komarov.

 

[StevenB]

To be honest after he broke his leg I thought he was done for but he's rebounded nicely. Good to see

 

[Caser]

 

[Sundinisagod]

This might turn out to be Hunter's most impressive pick.

 

[HockeyNightInBelfast]

It was certainly an "off the board" pick that caught everyone off guard.
Would be great to see it pan out aye!

 

[Future]

If Korshkov turns into a top six forward Mark Hunter is the GOAT

 

[Peasy]

If Korshkov turns into a top six forward Mark Hunter is the GOAT

One pick makes a career

 

[McNurse]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, when I first saw this pick I was like "wtf is mark doing?" But after seeing highlights of his game and shift by shift videos, the kid impresses me. He has some incredible tools and has a knack for the front of the net. Leafs could possibly be blessed with a pick like him

 

[Pyrophorus]

Now if only he would over-even just for camp.

 

[Atas2000]

Now if only he would over-even just for camp.

Why would he do this as a KHL player?

 

[Sundinisagod]

What are the chances he switches over to LW? He does seem to thrive playing playing the right wing but we are stacked there already.

 

[Hero]

Now if only he would over-even just for camp.

I think he lights up the KHL this year if he stays healthy, 0.9 points per game season. Then comes over next year.

 

[Randy Randerson]

What are the chances he switches over to LW? He does seem to thrive playing playing the right wing but we are stacked there already.

just my opinion, but I think he'll be a much more effective LW in the NHL than RW - there's a lot more space in the KHL and his best weapon is his ability to use his body to shield the puck while he cycles/looks for a move to make, I see him being much better on small ice if his stick is to the boards side

the NHL forwards who pull off playing their off wing (a lot of Russians on that list) seem to have at least one of 2 tools - shifty & really good wrist/snap shot - Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Kucherov, Tarasenko, Forsberg, Radulov, Pastrnak, etc.

I haven't seen Korshkov really display either of those, seems to be much more a possession driver that gets the puck or himself to the front of the net, so I think he'll be way more successful playing a Wheeler/JVR/Simmonds type offensive game where he uses his body to keep the defender away from the puck

 

[Hale The Villain]

Leafs drafting has really turned around.

Korshkov looks like a nice find at 31.

 

[93LEAFS]

Leafs drafting has really turned around.

Korshkov looks like a nice find at 31.

I'm hoping the turn around under Hunter is for real. Leafs probably did the biggest overhaul of a scouting department in recent history under Hunter. A couple key guys were kept (Bergman, Lilly and Malarchuk) but we fired a significant portion of our NA scouting staff and replaced them. While, I don't think we fired anyone in Europe, we put more bodies on the ground hiring Vuori from the Wings to be our European scouting director, and hired Vlad Namestinkov's Dad as an additional scout in Europe. Also, unlike under Burke, our Euro scouts actually have a voice at the table in the first round, and aren't just thrown hail mary picks in the 4th while we draft Tyler Biggs, Kenny Ryan and Brad Ross's with any pick that isn't in the top 10.

Excited to see what Korshkov can become. Given the odds of picking a player in the 2nd round or later who can become a productive NHL forward in the top 9 of a lineup, if one of Grundstrom or Korshkov develops into such it will be viewed as a success. I'm obviously hoping both do, but I know the odds are strongly against it. Long-term, we need guys like them to replace the vets as our forward core should only really have 4 mainstays (Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Kadri) with them being supplemented by guys on ELC's and bargain-bin vets.

Also, thanks to Rogers somehow losing the NFL package this year, to watch my sad-sack of an NFL franchise (The Cleveland Browns). I have to sign up for some online streaming source called DAZN.com, while I'd prefer hardwired cable over streaming due to lag of live sporting events driving me temporarly insane, it does come with the added bonus of getting every KHL game. So, for any NFL fan in Canada who buys this package, will find it easy to follow KHL players.

 

[LeafChief]

Leafs drafting has really turned around.

Korshkov looks like a nice find at 31.

Hoping he has a huge year.

 

[Sundinisagod]

just my opinion, but I think he'll be a much more effective LW in the NHL than RW - there's a lot more space in the KHL and his best weapon is his ability to use his body to shield the puck while he cycles/looks for a move to make, I see him being much better on small ice if his stick is to the boards side

the NHL forwards who pull off playing their off wing (a lot of Russians on that list) seem to have at least one of 2 tools - shifty & really good wrist/snap shot - Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Kucherov, Tarasenko, Forsberg, Radulov, Pastrnak, etc.

I haven't seen Korshkov really display either of those, seems to be much more a possession driver that gets the puck or himself to the front of the net, so I think he'll be way more successful playing a Wheeler/JVR/Simmonds type offensive game where he uses his body to keep the defender away from the puck

Thanks RR. That's what I was hoping to hear. Our forward group could really use a guy like this.

 

[Lilou]

This is why I wasn't worried after the draft. We know what this scouting staff is capable of finding. They have done their research.

 

[Randy Randerson]

Thanks RR. That's what I was hoping to hear. Our forward group could really use a guy like this.

for sure, if he turns out it looks like he could be an excellent possession player and not be an offensive drag on a 1st/2nd line. More time with the puck for a Matthews or Nylander line will lead to good things

 

[weems]

Korshkov, Grundstrom and Dermott are looking like a nice trio of second round selections.

Should provide some very valuable depth to the core.

 

[Snippit]

Mark Hunter played a big role in turning the London Knights into a junior hockey powerhouse.

Wouldn't surprise me at all if this pans out. Guy has a knack for finding talent.