Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs sign Egor Korshkov to entry-level deal, reportedly sign Mikheyev

By Austin Owens

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 27: A general view prior to action between the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 27, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 27: A general view prior to action between the Edmonton Oilers and the Toronto Maple Leafs in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 27, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Oilers 6-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Toronto Maple Leafs have locked up 2016 second-rounder Yegor Korshkov and have reportedly landed Russian winger Ilya Mikheyev as well

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed forward Yegor Korshkov to a two-year entry-level contract, the team announced Wednesday.

Korshkov also signed a professional tryout deal in order to join the Marlies in the Calder Cup playoffs.

The winger spent the majority of the campaign on the sidelines after sustaining an early-season injury while playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the KHL.

Korshkov finished the 2018-19 campaign with three goals and five points in 19 regular season games and three helpers in nine games during the KHL playoffs.

On Tuesday, the Toronto Star’s Kevin McGran reported that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Marlies were going to be adding a Russian on Wednesday and that the player was already in the city.

Fans quickly speculated that it would either be the 2016 second-round pick or 2019 KHL All-Star Ilya Mikheyev.

More from Tip of the Tower

Instead of one or the other, it appears as though the Leafs settled on landing both of the talented Russians.

Mikheyev intends to sign with the Maple Leafs, a source told KHL reporter Alvis Kalniņš.

The 24-year-old’s couldn’t sign any official contract until his KHL deal ran out on Tuesday. Now, his agreement with Toronto should be announced in quick order.

With Avangard Omsk this past season, Mikheyev scored 23 goals and 45 points in 62 games. He followed up his regular season success by putting up nearly a point per game during Omsk’s run to the Gagarin Cup Final.

Avangard coach Bob Hartley won’t be too happy losing one of his top scorers. On top of his offensive success last season, Mikheyev was also deployed as a penalty killer. The Maple Leafs love that versatility and will more than likely deploy him in defensive situations.

Mike Babcock said during his final press conference that there were some individuals being brought into the fold that would add some size to the roster. At the time of that comment, the only individuals that fit the mould were Pierre Engvall and Mason Marchment.

Now, it appears as though he also has Korshkov (6-foot-4, 181 lbs) and Mikheyev (6-foot-2, 194 lbs) to choose from.

The Maple Leafs will have a slew of up and coming weapons to choose from in training camp. On top of the pair of exciting Russians, Trevor Moore should have a full-time slot locked up while Jeremy Bracco and Engvall have good chances to crack the opening night lineup.

With the cap getting tighter next season, the Leafs need cost-effective players that can produce alongside the big guns. The lineup should look a little different and offer some exciting options.

dark. Next. Toronto Maple Leafs: Igor Ozhiganov returning to KHL

What do you think of the signings? What would you ideal lineup be for the Leafs next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Home/Toronto Maple Leafs