Speculation: Igor Ozhiganov (CSKA Moscow) to Toronto

[oooooooooohCanada]

Russian article says Lou and Babcock had dinner with CSKA Moscow RHD Igor Ozhiganov recently in Moscow.

Highlights:



He has a year remaining on his KHL deal so likely would be next year. Apparently Kucherov has been trying to get Tampa to sign him.

Click to read more...

 

[edguy]

His KHL numbers are pretty underwhelming..

Can someone who watches the KHL chime in on his play?

 

[Jumptheshark]

they better sign him quick as HC CSKA Moscow seasons starts today

 

[oooooooooohCanada]

His KHL numbers are pretty underwhelming..

Can someone who watches the KHL chime in on his play?

KHL numbers don't mean a ton. Zaitsev's weren't much better and he immediately stepped in as a top four defenseman.

From what I've read Ozhiganov is more of an offensive guy. Highlights remind me of a stereotypical Russian player, just on defense.

 

[oooooooooohCanada]

they better sign him quick as HC CSKA Moscow seasons starts today

He's signed for another year. This is likely similar to the Zaitsev situation where we met a year before and basically agreed on a deal for the next season.

 

[inthe6ix]

If he turns out to be anything remotely resembling Zaitsev, then I can't wait to see him in blue and white.

 

[tony d]

Seems like a decent enough depth signing, wonder if he'll make the team's opening night lineup though.

 

[Hogan86]

He's a righty and he's good size. 6'2, 214lbs. Never heard of him though until this thread. That's the one thing about be Leafs though. They have eyes in places where most teams don't. Interested to see what they do with this guy.

 

[Cousin Eddie]

He's a righty and he's good size. 6'2, 214lbs. Never heard of him though until this thread. That's the one thing about be Leafs though. They have eyes in places where most teams don't. Interested to see what they do with this guy.

The KHL is the second best hockey league in the world. Every NHL team has eyes there. Plenty of teams sign players from there.

 

[93LEAFS]

The KHL is the second best hockey league in the world. Every NHL team has eyes there. Plenty of teams sign players from there.

There are certain organizations that don't have a full-time scout in Russia and completely ignore it. For example, I don't think Carolina, Calgary, or Ottawa have a Russian based amateur or pro-scout for example.

Russia really is a headache to scout for a variety of reasons (massive land mass to cover, uncooperative teams/league officials, etc) that some teams prefer to ignore it and allocate their resources elsewhere.

 

[1specter]

There are certain organizations that don't have a full-time scout in Russia and completely ignore it. For example, I don't think Carolina, Calgary, or Ottawa have a Russian based amateur or pro-scout for example.

Russia really is a headache to scout for a variety of reasons (massive land mass to cover, uncooperative teams/league officials, etc) that some teams prefer to ignore it and allocate their resources elsewhere.

To be honest, I'm not sure the Leafs even had a guy there before the Shanahan era. Burkie and Potato wanted nothing to do with Russia/KHL. One exception is Komarov but he was technically part of the Leafs system already.

 

[Boud]

To be honest, I'm not sure the Leafs even had a guy there before the Shanahan era. Burkie and Potato wanted nothing to do with Russia/KHL. One exception is Komarov but he was technically part of the Leafs system already.

And even then Komarov isn't really a Russian.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Well so far they havee been successful in finding NHL caliber players in Sosh and Zaitsev maybe they can go 3 for 3

 

[ICanMotteBelieveIt]

Possibly one of the ugliest looking names in hockey?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

And even then Komarov isn't really a Russian.

Komarov is everything

 

[Cousin Eddie]

Possibly one of the ugliest looking names in hockey?

He's no Cliff Pu.

 

[TheNewEra]

well if he does sign it just shows that the leafs consider him better than marchenko at the very least, low risk signing with potential upside

 

[93LEAFS]

To be honest, I'm not sure the Leafs even had a guy there before the Shanahan era. Burkie and Potato wanted nothing to do with Russia/KHL. One exception is Komarov but he was technically part of the Leafs system already.

Ladygin has been on our staff since JFJ. Burke just ignored our Euro scouts until the 4th round.

Since we hired Hunter, we have added another Russian scout in Namestinkov and added Vuori (a Finn) as director of euro-scouting.

 

[7even]

Ladygin has been on our staff since JFJ. Burke just ignored our Euro scouts until the 4th round.

Since we hired Hunter, we have added another Russian scout in Namestinkov and added Vuori (a Finn) as director of euro-scouting.

Don't we have a KHL assistant coach employed as a scout as well? Believe that's where we found Sosh.

 

[93LEAFS]

Don't we have a KHL assistant coach employed as a scout as well? Believe that's where we found Sosh.

That's Yevgeni Namestinkov who is now a full-time Russian scout for us. He also found us Korshkov.

 

[Brock Radunske]

Maybe the Leafs plan on running lines of two forwards and 3 defenceman....

Matthew - Nylander
Rielly - Hainsey - x

Marner - Marleau
Gardiner - Zaitsev - x

Kadri - JVR
Swede - Swede - Russian

Brown - Hyman

x - x - x

 

[Hogan86]

The KHL is the second best hockey league in the world. Every NHL team has eyes there. Plenty of teams sign players from there.

No. They really don't. The leafs have a bottomless pit of resources. Many NHL teams do not. The Leafs just have that many more scouts and personnel in every corner of the world of hockey. Small market teams would have to bounce their scouts around, and make do with smaller budgets and much less staff.

 

[Kshahdoo]

He didn't play in the 1st season game and isn't playing in the 2nd. Not sure, why. He can be injured, but it can be because he's going to play in the NHL this season.

 

[Leafs87]

Leafs could real use a point bomb

 

[Knies iT]

Scored 78% of Zaitsev's production in the KHL despite less ice-time. His numbers pro-rate to about 28pts in the NHL, assuming he transitions as smoothly as Zaitsev. Won the 2017 KHL hardest-shot competition at the all-star game with a 100mph slap shot.

24 year old RHD with size (6'2" 205lbs) and great mobility. Apparently Kucherov has been pushing Tampa's management to sign this guy and here's what he said in a translated interview:

"I always say this to the Lightning; not only about Gusev, but about Igor Ozhiganov too. It’s not about our friendship. Both are great players, they could help Tampa to win a Stanley Cup. I wouldn’t have recommended them if they weren’t able to. By the way, I spoke to them about taking their chances in the NHL. It’s an opportunity to play against the best players in the world."

https://www.rawcharge.com/platform/...usev-ozhiganov-local-media-andrei-vasilevskiy

This deal would 100% be for the 2018-2019 season, however. He still has 1 year on his contract with CSKA who will obviously be competing for the Gagarin Cup. Also, since he plays for the national team (even though he's scratched) it will be difficult to convince him to come to the NHL before the Olympics. Regardless, he's a legitimate talent and would be another huge free wallet pickup if the Leafs could pull it off. Toronto's scouting staff have been finding gems all over Europe, bringing in Soshnikov, Komarov, Zaitsev, Borgman, Rosen, Aaltonen and now potentially Ozhiganov.