Maple Leafs Officially Frontrunner to Sign the Next Artemi Panarin
The Toronto Maple Leafs are emerging as the frontrunners to sign this incredible talent, who has similarities to Rangers star Artemi Panarin.
Leafs Frontrunner to Sign Tsyplakov from the KHL
The Toronto Maple Leafs are always on the lookout for additional depth scoring, and it looks like they are the frontrunner to finding this diamond overseas. Maxim Tsyplakov is currently lighting up the KHL for Spartak Moskva, and has interest from numerous NHL teams, according to his agent.
They'll make a decision on where he continues his career at the end of the season.
➡️ 22G 10A 32 PTS in 48 GP #SPR #KHL
These stats are pretty remarkable considering the difficulty to score in the KHL. For reference, Artemi Panarin had 26 goals and 36 assists for 62 points in 54 games in his final year in the KHL. In his first year in the NHL for the Blackhawks, Panarin went on to score 30 goals and 47 assists for 77 points.
Leafs Will Need Cheap Depth Scorers Given Nylanders Deal
The Leafs are going to have to scour the earth for their depth scoring options given how Nylander's contract will take up a chunk of their cap space and they won't have much money left to add to their depth. For reference, Panarin signed a deal with a $3,500,000 AAV in his first year in the NHL, mostly performance bonus-based. Getting a potential 20-30 goal scorer at that price would be crucial for the Leafs.
We will see how the Leafs plan to add to their roster given their tight cap space, but Tsyplakov is certainly a player to keep an eye on.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Leafs will be in cap trouble after next year? | ||
| Yes | 649 | 65 % |
| No | 349 | 35 % |
| List of polls | ||
