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Toronto Maple Leafs close to signing Russian defender Igor Ozhiganov

By Austin Owens

TORONTO - NOVEMBER 20: A general view of action during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on November 20, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs beat the Islanders 4-2.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)
TORONTO - NOVEMBER 20: A general view of action during the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on November 20, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario. The Maple Leafs beat the Islanders 4-2.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be dipping into the international player pool again with the possible signing of Igor Ozhiganov

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made it no secret over the past three years that they are not scared to go overseas to find talent.

It started in 2015 when the Leafs signed Russian forward Nikita Soshnikov to a three-year entry-level deal. Last season, Nikita Zaitsev came over from the KHL to join the team and then the Buds signed Swedish defenders Calle Rosen and Andreas Borgman this offseason.

Now, it looks as though the Leafs are close to signing their next European player. According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Russian defender Igor Ozhiganov is close to choosing Toronto as the team to sign with come the offseason.

Ozhiganov is under contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL for another season, so, similar to the situation with Zaitsev, the Leafs would sign him and bring him over for the start of next season.

The 25-year-old has played for Moscow for the majority of his KHL career. He made his debut in Russia’s top league during the 2010-11 season with the “Red Army”. He only played in two games, registering no stats in that time.

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Ozhiganov has bounced around over the past few years in the KHL. In 2012, he was traded to Amur Khabarovsk for a second-round selection in the 2013 KHL Juniors Draft. A year later, Ozhiganov was moved back to Moscow for Andrei Sergeev.

Before the 2013-14 season, he was moved again, this time to Sibir Novosibirsk. Ozhiganov played two seasons there before being re-acquired once again by Moscow.

He has played the last three seasons for CSKA. His best KHL season came last year when Ozhiganov scored 22 points in 50 games while finishing with a +18 rating and 61 penalty minutes. This season, Ozhiganov has two points and 10 penalty minutes in 19 games.

For the Leafs, Ozhiganov presents a lot of good characteristics that could help a young defensive core that has been prone to letdowns over the course of this young season.

Firstly, at 6’2″, 207 pounds, he is a big body that can also skate the puck up the ice. He plays the game that many people would assume from a guy his size. He has no issues throwing his weight around and will make people hurt along the boards.

Ozhiganov also possesses a big shot. He won the Hardest Shot Competition at last year’s KHL All-Star Game.

It looks as though he enjoys the offensive side of the game more-so than the defensive side. He has shown off his ability to one-time the puck and score as well as the prowess to rush the puck up and through multiple defenders. He showed off his ability in a game against Dynamo Moscow, where he beat three defenders and the goaltender to score a highlight reel goal.

Ozhiganov would be a good add for the Leafs come next season. His game has matured and he will be able to step in right away and hopefully make an impact.

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It is also another benefit that he is a right-handed shot defenceman which has became a valuable commodity. Once confirmed, Ozhiganov will only improve the Leafs depth on the blueline but his time in the KHL should give him an advantage over players who are still developing in the Leafs system.

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