Toronto Maple Leafs sign four players to Entry-Level Contracts
By James Reeve
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced the signings of four players to entry-level contracts ahead of the 2018/19 season.
Defencemen Igor Ozhiganov and Jesper Lindgren will join the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with forwards Par Lindholm and Pierre Engvall.
Ozhiganov and Lindholm have both signed one-year deals, with Engvall signed up for two years and Lindgren agreeing the maximum three years for an ELC.
The @MapleLeafs have signed Pierre Engvall to a two-year entry level contract, Jesper Lindgren to a three-year entry level contract, Pär Lindholm to a one-year entry level contract and Igor Ozhiganov to a one-year entry level contract. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) May 17, 2018
Fans of the organisation will already be familiar with Lindgren and Engvall, who have been plying their trade with the Toronto Marlies at times this season.
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Engvall, a winger, started the season with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League, before joining the Marlies ahead of their playoff run.
Engvall has impressed greatly since teaming up with the Marlies, registering 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 18 games, split equally between the playoffs and regular season.
Lindgren, meanwhile, has spent most of this season playing for HPK in the Finnish Liiga, registering two goals and eight total points in 43 regular season games.
While fans may be somewhat familiar with Lindgren and Engvall, it is Lindholm and Ozhiganov who will be watched closely, with little known about the pair.
Lindholm, a centre by trade, has had an excellent season in his native Sweden.
In 49 regular season games for Skellefteå AIK, he picked up 47 points (18 goals and 29 assists) and contributed well during their recent playoff appearances, registering six goals and 11 total points in 16 playoff games.
The Leafs could find themselves thin at centre depth next season and have moved quickly to add a potentially exciting European player into the mix with a relatively risk-free one-year deal.
Ozhiganov follows fellow countryman Nikita Zaitsev over from the KHL to give the Toronto Maple Leafs more options along the blueline, particularly on the right-hand side.
Defence has been an area of need for the Leafs during the past two seasons and it looks clear that Mike Babcock likes his international free agents.
The experiences of all four players could help them impress during summer camps, with Lindholm and Ozhiganov hoping to remain with the NHL team.
Meanwhile, deals for expiring player contracts have yet to be announced and all eyes will be on the Leafs organisation as they move on from the Lou Lamoriello era.
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Toronto Maple Leafs fans, how do you feel about Thursday’s announcement? Are you happy to see the team making some moves? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!