Toronto Maple Leafs: Is Igor Ozhiganov set to start season with the Leafs?

The NHL season is fast approaching and it appears one defenceman might have already secured his spot with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Igor Ozhiganov was a free agent acquisition by the Toronto Maple Leafs, after a year-long courting process conducted by head coach Mike Babcock.

The big-bodied Russian met with Babcock a year ago in his homeland and the veteran coach continued to show interest in the player – ultimately persuading him to move over to North America for the first time in his career.

Despite still speaking very little English, Ozhiganov has impressed playing on the right side of defence alongside the likes of Travis Dermott and Calle Rosen, both of whom could make the team this season.

Since the start of training camp, Ozzie, as he is affectionately known, has been in a battle with Connor Carrick and Justin Holl for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ bottom pairing.

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Holl has looked good while Carrick has been somewhat subdued so far in the pre-season, with many now believing the latter could lose the job he was expected to win this summer.

Holl’s status is unknown and it will be a tough decision for Babcock to make, with only Ozhiganov able to be assigned to the Marlies without needing to pass through waivers.

But, given his style of play and performance in pre-season, that might not matter if Babcock is satisfied with the Russian.

Sportsnet reporter Chris Johnston recently wrote that he believes Ozhiganov is poised to start the season as the Toronto Maple Leafs’ third right-handed defenceman.

Johnston likens Ozzie to a former favourite of Babcock, Roman Polak, given his large frame and strength that could be useful on the penalty kill as well as five-on-five.

The 6-foot-2, 207 pounds one-time World Junior silver medalist has looked steady, playing an impressive 20:27 against a Buffalo Sabres unit that was largely made up of NHL players.

The toughest decision for the Leafs would be whether or not they allow Carrick and Holl to be placed on waivers, or do they opt to send Ozhiganov back to the Marlies along with the left-handed Rosen, who is also waiver-exempt.

Johnston indicated that Babcock expects to run with seven defencemen once William Nylander‘s contract situation is sorted out, leaving room for two players currently competing to stake a claim behind the team’s established top four and Dermott.

What do you think Toronto Maple Leafs fans? Will Ozhiganov claim the sixth defenceman role to start the season, or will the team not risk the likes of Carrick and Holl to waivers? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.