Insider Points to an Undrafted Forward Lighting It Up, and He Fits the Maple Leafs' Mold
Photo credit: Vitali Pinchuk on X
One forward out of Europe has been touted as a highly coveted signing option, and the Leafs could be in on him as part of adding some much needed depth.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could have the chance at a highly projectable forward who has impressed out of Russia.
In recent years, undrafted players out of Russia have been a hot commodity, as the region is ripe for underscouted prospects to go under the radar and later emerge at the KHL level.
One name appears next in line to be the next player finally getting eyes on him, and potentially a chance at the NHL.
Elliotte Friedman Identifies Vitali Pinchuk as an Undrafted Name Drawing NHL Interest
According to Elliotte Friedman, the next name teams are talking about out of the KHL is Belarusian forward Vitali Pinchuk.
Pinchuk, a 6'3 center, actually does have North American experience. He played a year in the OHL with the Kingston Frontenacs alongside Shane Wright in the 2019-20 season.
Playing in the KHL for Belarusian club Dinamo Minsk, Pinchuk had 25 goals and 43 points in 66 games, although on a team that included one of the KHL's greatest players in Vadim Shipachyov.
This season, Pinchuk has taken over as Minsk's top offensive threat, showing off some strong growth at both ends, as well as being defensively capable.
Having watched Pinchuk this season, his overall upside is a bit of a question, but his size and production do make him a potential bottom-six forward.
Why Vitali Pinchuk's Game Checks Brad Treliving's Boxes in Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs will undoubtedly be intrigued by Pinchuk's size and his ability to be a play driver offensively.
Toronto had their eyes on two European free agents in recent years, Maxim Shabanov and Maxim Tsyplakov were players pursued by Toronto, both ended up with the Islanders, but the Leafs had been in talks with both.
Artemi Panarin and Andrei Kuzmenko are among the undrafted players who in recent years have become legitimate NHLers.
Outside of Russia, players such as David Tomasek and Charle-Edouard D'Astous debuted in the NHL after playing last season in Sweden.
The Leafs have signed free agents out of Europe in recent years, including Nicolas Mattinen out of Germany as a recent acquisition.
One team to also watch is the Utah Mammoth. Utah already drafted two Minsk prospects in Yegor Borikov and Vadim Moroz, they almost certainly have an eye on the club.
Expect there to be competition for Pinchuk who is a player who appears to have the tools needed to translate to playing in the NHL and has been impressive with Minsk.
Danil Aimurzin of Severstal was another player who had scouts eyes out of Russia last season, but has had a slow start this season with the team.
For a team like Toronto looking to spend money on a top player, they could get a cheap, high-upside option in Vitali Pinchuk, and give a big boost to their offense at a low risk.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 9|839 ANSWERS Insider Points to an Undrafted Forward Lighting It Up, and He Fits the Maple Leafs' Mold Should the Toronto Maple Leafs sign Vitali Pinchuk? | ||
| Yes | 412 | 49.1 % |
| No | 427 | 50.9 % |
| List of polls | ||