Maple Leafs prospect scores twice as pressure builds for a bigger role in Russia

In 2024, the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Alexander Plesovskikh in the fifth round of the NHL Entry Draft with the understanding that he would spend some time developing in Russia.

The 20-year-old winger has been playing with Moscow Spartak Jr. of the MHL, and has been putting up some solid numbers, especially this year in the preseason. He even scored a couple of goals in a preseason game.

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The pressure is mounting for Plesovskikh to earn a role with Spartak in the KHL. It's a part of his development that the Toronto Maple Leafs will be watching closely.

Two more goals strengthen Plesovskikh's case for a longer look above the MHL

Last season, Plesovskikh had 27 goals and 51 points in 53 MHL games. Throughout the entirety of his MHL career, he has 89 points in 103 games, which proves that the young star is producing.

At his current age, another full season of junior hockey in the MHL would tell Toronto less about his scoring than if he were to play against men and professionals in the KHL. Until Plesovskikh gets the opportunity, it will be difficult for the front office to make a true judgment on his talent.

His latest two-goal game ultimately asks the same question all over again. The next useful step in his development is seeing whether that production translates against older, stronger professional competition.

Toronto's real development win would be Plesovskikh forcing his way back into Spartak's KHL lineup

Last season, Plesovskikh got to play three games with Spartak's KHL squad, although it was in a limited role and he was unable to register a point.

That said, a meaningful benchmark for Plesovskikh this season won't be having a nice point total in the MHL. Instead, the Leafs will be looking to see if he earned regular KHL practice time, fourth-line KHL minutes, longer call-ups, and perhaps even a permanent role.

Another strong MHL season would still matter, but the real jump in his stock will come if he turns last year's three-game KHL taste into regular practice time, longer call-ups or meaningful minutes against men.

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