Rumor: Ozhiganov

[Advanced stats]

Doubt he is used in the AHL, because the Leafs don't need RHD down there.

I still think ideally he makes Carrick expendable and becomes the 7th defenseman with the ability to step into the lineup. I think he PK's so he could give Hainsey some breaks and properly replace Polak.

However I am not so sure if he's the only answer on defense if he just directly replaces Polak and does nothing else.

Moreso trying to get people to damper their immediate expectations. This is not a solution to our defensive issues.

 

[cupcrazyman]

Only one way to find out.

They will probably pair him with Leivo in the press box.

 

[Anthrax442]

From what I read, CSKA carried 8 or 9 defensemen this year.

 

[Lethalsniper007]

Is this the guy that re-signed with his KHL team?

No

 

[Brock Radunske]

Meh. Can't hurt other than the contract spot.
Gotta take some swings to fix the trainwreck on the back end.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'm not even surprised with that kind of treatment if they knew he was leaving the team in a year.

I think you still go with what he's done as a whole and give him a chance. Adding depth to a position of weakness doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. Possibly a better Polak replacement?
The biggest thing I'm worried about now is how to say his name properly.

Sounds more like an offensive guy, than a Polak... Not as reliable in his own end as Zaitsev was in KHL, but stronger, more physical... a bomb of a shot.... measured at 99.09 mph in the KHL skills competition.

 

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

2017-18 CSKA Moskva - KHL .. 42 games 2 goals 7 assist 9 points.

Do we really want this guy as he appeared to be 1 year wonder and as a previously undrafted soon to be 26 year old by season start?

There has to be better options to improve the Leafs than turning these kinds of stones over. IMO

Meh, might as well sign him. At the very least, it will piss Don Cherry off, and that's always a good thing.

 

[MyBudJT]

Nikita Kucherov is a fan... thats enough to convince me... If he signs with us, it'll be a 1 yrs ELC deal... its a Low Risk, Low to High Reward move.

Interviewer: Could you persuade Steve Yzerman to take Nikita Gusev to Tampa?
Kucherov: 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. We have known each other since childhood, it would be great to win the Stanley Cup together.
Toronto Maple Leafs are looking at Nikita Kucherov’s friend Igor Ozhiganov

 

[Mess]

The biggest thing I'm worried about now is how to say his name properly.

Hit the voice button next to his name.

Igor Ozhiganov

 

[Liminality]

Hit the voice button next to his name.

Igor Ozhiganov

Have you pressed it?! Still think I'll be saying it wrong after hearing that.

 

[Kiwi]

Zaitsev has always been better and look how people have turned on him. Don't expect much although I hope they are sure he can handle bottom pair RHD because that would mean Polak isn't coming back

Don't get your hopes up Walshy

I'm convinced Polak will still be playing for the Leafs after we're all dead and buried

 

[ThrowDemTongs]

How good is this guy at icing the puck seemingly randomly? Cause that's what we need more of

 

[Anthrax442]

Have you pressed it?! Still think I'll be saying it wrong after hearing that.

Yep, it sounds right

 

[taurine330]

Friedman said he committed to signing with the Leafs but nothing official yet.

He had a really bad season from what I read though and maybe the Leafs pulled their offer? Who knows.

Either way, we might hear something soon or after the World Championships.

I saw him couple of times last season. He was solid in those outings.

 

[horner]

2017-18 CSKA Moskva - KHL .. 42 games 2 goals 7 assist 9 points.

Do we really want this guy as he appeared to be 1 year wonder and as a previously undrafted soon to be 26 year old by season start?

There has to be better options to improve the Leafs than turning these kinds of stones over. IMO

Its a free wallet.if he auck ahl or go home.
Dont think he would come if he thought he woul suck.

 

[saltming]

Don't get your hopes up Walshy

I'm convinced Polak will still be playing for the Leafs after we're all dead and buried

One can only hope

 

[ToneDog]

Sounds more like an offensive guy, than a Polak... Not as reliable in his own end as Zaitsev was in KHL, but stronger, more physical... a bomb of a shot.... measured at 99.09 mph in the KHL skills competition.

That is good. We need somebody with a bomb from the point on the PP.

 

[Nithoniniel]

From what I've seen of him, I'm rather skeptical about his ability to be an effective well-rounded NHL defenseman. I had a feeling that he would struggle with the speed and tempo. Then again, I also thought that Zaitsev would handle these things very well. I loved his decision making and outlet passing as a KHL player, so what do I know.

 

[Kiwi]

One can only hope

May God have mercy on your soul

That is good. We need somebody with a bomb from the point on the PP.

Who's he replacing on the PP, Rielly or Gardiner? We run one Dman on our PP units and those two are really good

I just hope he's able to pass the puck without icing the damn thing

 

[Fogelhund]

May God have mercy on your soul



Who's he replacing on the PP, Rielly or Gardiner? We run one Dman on our PP units and those two are really good

I just hope he's able to pass the puck without icing the damn thing

Gardiner is likely gone anyway....

 

[Kiwi]

Gardiner is likely gone anyway....

Only a lunatic would think trading our 2nd best defenseman is a good idea unless we're tanking again

Are we tanking again?

 

[Fogelhund]

Only a lunatic would think trading our 2nd best defenseman is a good idea unless we're tanking again

Are we tanking again?

Certainly a response that lacks any kind of analysis and thought.

So, you are comfortable allocating $6 million + in Cap space to Gardiner on a 6-7 year term? Or letting him walk as a UFA with nothing to show?

While our Right side is a tire fire? You do appreciate, that if we traded Gardiner, we would likely be making trades to shore up the Right side D?

 

[SprDaVE]

I saw him couple of times last season. He was solid in those outings.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement...

 

[ToneDog]

May God have mercy on your soul



Who's he replacing on the PP, Rielly or Gardiner? We run one Dman on our PP units and those two are really good

I just hope he's able to pass the puck without icing the damn thing

True at the moment, but as Babs says let's see where we are next year. Amen to not icing the damn puck.

 

[ACC1224]

Only a lunatic would think trading our 2nd best defenseman is a good idea unless we're tanking again

Are we tanking again?

What if he is packaged for an upgrade?