Maple Leafs take Rodion Amirov with 15th overall pick
The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Russian forward Rodion Amirov with the 15th pick in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Rodion Amirov
Position: Left wing
Height: 6-feet
Weight: 168 lbs
Age: 19
Club: Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)
Nationality: Russian
| GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Amirov barely produced in the KHL during the 2019-20 season, but he did rack up 10 goals and 22 points in 17 games at the junior level with Tolpar Ufa of Russia's MHL.
The promising forward played in three different leagues during that campaign, and he's already split time between the KHL and VHL - also known as the Supreme League, Russia's second-highest level of pro hockey - in 2020-21.
Despite that lack of continuity, Amirov has looked more comfortable early during the new season. He's posting better offensive numbers, particularly in the KHL, where he's notched three goals and two assists in 10 contests.
NHL Central Scouting ranked him fifth among European skaters on its final list in April, pegging him as the highest-ranked Russian.
What they're saying
"Amirov is easy to spot on the ice when he has the puck because he’s very quick and skilled. He has quick-twitch hands and can inside-out defenders while skating at full speed. He can set up and finish plays well," The Athletic's Corey Pronman wrote. "... Amirov has a slight frame, which led to struggles versus men who could knock him off pucks, but he does work hard and when he puts on muscle I could see him (getting) inside easier."
"Hard-working, skilled player who understands how to play both ends effectively," wrote Sportsnet's Sam Cosentino, who slotted Amirov in at 17th overall in his June mock draft.