Prospect Info: 2020 1st Rd Selection - #15 OA - LW Rodion Amirov (RUS) - 6'0", 177lbs

[I am Canadian]

I would have liked Reichel here but obviously I don't know much about scouting and Dubas and co consistently make good decisions.

 

[indigobuffalo]

Finally, someone to teach Auston how to do this!

 

[thewave]

what if the player they want is a ufa?

UFA is fine, the cap is what matter and the quality of player. JT needs a friend, the D needs some friends. A lot of work to do before the start of the season for sure.

 

[tmlms13]

Plays with Nikita Soshnikov in the KHL

 

[GQS]

I know nothing about this guy, but Rodion Amirov is a very nice sounding hockey name.

 

[Drew311]

Small skilled player. Shocking pick.

6’0” is small?

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Our RHD Depth is a joke, the only player in the system who might be something is Liljegren and half of the people on this site and pundits really question what he will be. We have no toughness or somebody who focuses on D and there could Been two choices IMO Schneider (safe but likely more of a 3/4 due to no really offensive upside) and Grans who would have been my pick that may take a bit longer but higher upside. Both really big boys and great skaters.

So no?

 

[Cor]

 

[Gabriel426]

1. How many honestly seen this kid played?
2. How many of you said another small soft skill player in Robertson and then said he is a future star after he scores like 50goals in the O?

 

[Nooodles]

6 feet is a smurf now?

Only if nerd Dubas drafts him.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

I'm guessing the last time the leafs drafted a Russian this high was Antropov?

 

[stickty111]

He was ranked 13th on my list. I agree with the poster that he is the only player left I thought has star potential.

 

[Metroid]

Small skilled player. Shocking pick.

Negative comment. Shocking.

 

[kevsh]

He shall henceforth be known as Амиров

For those worried about "more small skill" he's probably a few years away. By then Dubas' complete overhaul of the roster into big, tough, nasty will be complete and we'll need skill players like him to round things out.

I do joke of course. If there were no solid deals to be made, why not go some risk/big reward?

 

[SniperOnTheWing]

The kid models his game after Auston Matthews. He must be absolutely pumped to be a Leaf.

 

[Carltons Cup]

Harold Ballard is rolling in his grave

 

[Zwui21]

 

[FrankGallagher]

Wanted Reichel in this spot, and have also seen Schneider a ton and know he's a really good player. But I am also pretty happy with this pick, really stood out at last years u18s and though he was a bit of a tougher evaluation playing limited minutes in a pro league, the skill has always been there. A lot of upside and will be interested to see his development

 

[BertCorbeau]

Our RHD Depth is a joke, the only player in the system who might be something is Liljegren and half of the people on this site and pundits really question what he will be. We have no toughness or somebody who focuses on D and there could Been two choices IMO Schneider (safe but likely more of a 3/4 due to no really offensive upside) and Grans who would have been my pick that may take a bit longer but higher upside. Both really big boys and great skaters.

BPA > Need

Given the progress of Sandin and Robertson I'm surprised there's this much anger on this pick in terms of Dubas' gauge on BPA to date.

 

[The CyNick]

6’0” is small?

For Dubas, it's a giant.

For the NHL it's not big.

 

[pylon17]

f***ing Dubas. I don’t hate it but I don’t love it. Just more of the same of what we already have

This is where I'm at. But I didn't follow the draft this year.

 

[thewave]

I'm guessing the last time the leafs drafted a Russian this high was Antropov?

The 1st round Russian picks haven't really been holding up to well for some time now.

 

[Lilou]

Hope the kid doesn't have twitter. Just stay off social media.

 

[HC7]

Kappy just went for a 1st rounder lol.

Be better!

We didn't draft Kappy and he's a big winger that plays the PP, PK, and can occasionally throw the body. See what you get for Kerfoot and Johnsson.

 

[sxvnert]

Both remaining top D weren't known as two way so he just went for a position of need.