Are we sleeping on Ozhiganov?

[DougGilmour93]

KHL scratch to NHL regular would be a pretty dramatic improvement over a summer.

He was a regular the season before, and had a successful campaign.
It was reported that since his club knew he was jettisoning for the Leafs the following year they didn’t spend the ice time developing his game for the Leafs. (As it wouldn’t benefit the Russian club)

 

[Ziggdiezan]

You could be very well right, but Dermott has shown good hockey IQ and if our Left side is Reilly, Gardiner and him, then theres no other option.

Dermott was paired with Polak, essentially Polak was meant to be the defensive guy. So yeah, could be right...not a lot of options with this defence.

I honestly think the exact same pairings as last year will be used to start the year with Carrick likely in the 3rd pairing slot with Dermott.

Zaitsev plays a lot of defensive zone starts (2nd most after Hainsey) so he is not being used in the correct role. He isn't a defensive specialist at all but the Leafs don't really have a choice but to use him that way.

 

[TheScandal89]

I honestly think the exact same pairings as last year will be used to start the year with Carrick likely in the 3rd pairing slot with Dermott.

Zaitsev plays a lot of defensive zone starts (2nd most after Hainsey) so he is not being used in the correct role. He isn't a defensive specialist at all but the Leafs don't really have a choice but to use him that way.

It may same pairs, just not looking forward to those certain pairs making horrible decisions in games that matter and playoffs. I guess we will see, I'm hoping we still add someone to help out

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Nhl or Khl for him. What a shot from the point and he is physical. He looks like he can make us out of camp by how tenacious he is in the paint and around his crease.

He won't be a Marlie guaranteed!

 

[TML1967]

I don't think I have ever really pencilled in a Euro UFA except for Zaitsev. They don't always click. That is why I want the team to grab another 4C because if Lindholm doesn't work that's another 2nd rounder out the door at the deadline I am sure

Cough.... Vermette.... Cough

 

[Maple Leaf]

I don't sleep with men like OP

 

[lifelonghockeyfan]

The Leafs have a bunch of guys fighting for those last couple of spots.

You're right, but that's true with most teams. Hard for any team to have 6/7 competent NHL Dmen. So many Leafs fans and Leaf haters think the Leaf bottom end is terrible when it reality it's as good/bad as most teams.

 

[pspot]

Borgman surprised early last year
I expect more out of oz

 

[TML1967]

You're right, but that's true with most teams. Hard for any team to have 6/7 competent NHL Dmen. So many Leafs fans and Leaf haters think the Leaf bottom end is terrible when it reality it's as good/bad as most teams.

It's also good to have a few guys making under a million competing for a spot.

Let's say O and Carrick both look amazing coming out of camp.
You can always trade one of them or maybe even a zaitsev or hainsey.
Good teams have competition for the 4th line and red pair because it's where you need to save money in a cap league

 

[Maplebeasts]

I don't think I have ever really pencilled in a Euro UFA except for Zaitsev. They don't always click. That is why I want the team to grab another 4C because if Lindholm doesn't work that's another 2nd rounder out the door at the deadline I am sure

Jooris

 

[WTFMAN99]

Jooris

The guy that's below 50% on face offs in his career and considered a journeyman? No thanks.

4C basically has a few jobs - PK, win face-offs, be strong defensively. Someone who's good with limited ES ice time because our top 9 is stupid.

 

[as Pure as Evil]

I agree i think we are all sleeping on him I have high hopes he comes in and shows they mis used and under utilized him last year when they found out he was coming over. the guy is a right hand shot and a massive one at that. good at getting the puck through to the net. and hes a big Boy too. I think he makes it out of camp

 

[Man Bear Pig]

You'd have to believe they see something in him because he either makes the team or goes back to Russia. I'll be happy if he can replace Polak in the #7 role. Anything more than that is gravy IMO. He's still young and has size so we'll see.

 

[Duckrider]

I really do think it will end up being Gardner - Rielly
Dermett - Hainsy

 

[Mickey Marner]

People say he wasn't used because he was going to the NHL - but if you check their team they brought in some new defense and they were better than him, plain and simple.

He's another Zaitzev, only worse - and we are all clamoring to get rid of the Zaitzev contract.

I don't think Ozhiganov is anything to write home about. But CSKA didn't bring in Nesterov and Marchenko because Ozhiganov played poorly. The Russian gov. gave a directive to the KHL to stack two teams (SKA, CSKA) with all the best Russian talent outside of the NHL so that these players would all gain chemistry with each other in order to win the Olympic Gold. 23/25 players named to the Russian Olympic roster were from those two teams.

 

[AppsSyl]

I think a lot of people are going to be pleasantly surprised by Ozhiganov.
Classic case of Russian player revealing he intends to go NA and gets the shaft from coach.
I also find it interesting that Kucherov vouched for this guy and said the Lightning should sign him.

 

[TML Dynasty]

For me I just haven't seen him enough. I was super excited for Borgman and Rosen last year so after they didn't blow us away out of camp im a little more tempered this time. Hope he surprises me!

 

[Mess]

I think we have to see this guy in NHL action first, before be able to accurately evaluated his potential impact.

I personally believe Zaitsev >> Ozhiganov which makes him a 3rd pairing 12 minute a night player if everything works out. But most likely a Marlie next year to start.

 

[AllDay28]

from what ive heard from Podcasts following the Leafs/Marlies, he might not be much of anything. But hopefully he is cause its a freebie right

 

[Peasy]

Which KHL D men have come to the nhl and have had quite a bit of success? Zaitsev is the most recent and everyone has their own thoughts about him...

Ozhiganov will most likely be nothing.

 

[BrainyBomber]

Which KHL D men have come to the nhl and have had quite a bit of success? Zaitsev is the most recent and everyone has their own thoughts about him...

Ozhiganov will most likely be nothing.

Last year alone Falkenberg, Jerabek, Antipin and Mironov came over and the first 3 did just fine. Voynov would walk into any NHL teams top 4.

Players swap NHL and KHL all the time and Oz played well over there prior to this season before he was blacklisted for agreeing to come over here. Players were parachuted onto CSKA to aid in winning in the Olympics. He should do fine for us

 

[Damisoph]

Id rather not pencil him in than rely on him to be a top 6 guy. Know nothing about him.

 

[Nooodles]

Id rather not pencil him in than rely on him to be a top 6 guy. Know nothing about him.

He's a fine D-man, Jon Snow.

 

[taurine330]

We don't have Polak anymore. He has a good chance of cracking the line up into the bottom pair.

 

[lifelonghockeyfan]

Really don't believe the Leafs can make any real moves before the season starts. Just not any Dmen probably available. When teams drop out of playoff contention, Dmen will be available. So it looks like the Leafs will have a very similar look on defence to start the season. Reilly, Gardiner, Dermot, Zaitsev and Hainsey, then it's hoping that next two are NHL competent.... take your pick of Carrick, Borgman, Rosen, Ozzie or Marincin (did I really say Marincin)