Could Rodion Amirov be headed to Toronto sooner than expected??
Per the KHL's official Twitter account, the league appears likely to forego the remainder of the 2021-22 season following the conclusion of the Beijing Olympics and plan to move straight into the playoffs as the COVID-19 situation intensifies in Europe.
According to the report, the idea will tabled with the Board and the Board of Directors, who are expected to approve. The standings will be adjusted based on win percentage to determine how the first round will shape up.
For Maple Leafs fans, this news provides a reason for excitement, as it means that 2020 15th overall pick Rodion Amirov will likely touch down in North America at some point this season and may get some time with the Marlies in the AHL.
This will provide the Leafs' development staff its first real opportunity to work with Amirov on his North American game. The Russian winger did work with some of the development staff briefly over the summer before heading back to Russia, but an extended stay in Toronto will give them some time to help Amirov work on the finer details of his game, go over some game tape and work a little more closely with the top prospect.
Amirov has been limited to just 10 games with Ufa Salavat Yulaev this season, notching just 3 points and often playing under 5 minutes per game. The 20-year-old suffered a collarbone injury before the start of the KHL season and spent significant time on the sidelines, which has had an adverse effect on his conditioning, according to the coaching staff.
