Leafs Sure Could Use Dmitri Vorobiev
June 17th, 2008 by Steve
Dmitri Vorobiev was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 5th round, 157th overall, at the 2004 entry draft. He has come up through the Lada Togliatti ranks over the past 7 years, and eventually had his breakout Russian Super League season in 2007-’08. He finished with 16 goals and 28 points, which placed him 2nd in the RSL in scoring for Defensemen. He then had 3 goals in 4 playoff games for Lada Togliatti in their first round series loss to Avangard Omsk. In the 2006-’07 RSL season he took his first steps to serious production as a full time top 4 D-man for Togliatti, garnering 9 goals and 16 points.
His point per game numbers have increased during each of his past 4 seasons in the RSL. Starting in 2004-’05 where he had 0.15 ppg; ‘05-’06 he scored 0.19 ppg; ‘06-’07 he scored 0.30 ppg; and then last year in ‘07-’08 he scored 0.51 ppg (0.53 ppg if you include the playoffs).
Lada Togliatti has developed notable NHLers in the past, including Alexei Kovalev, and former Maple Leafs farm hand Maxim Kondratiev. Vorobiev obviously caught the eye of the Russian selection committee for this years World Hockey Championships, receiving an invite to their initial training camp in late April, following his strong showing during the RSL season. While he didn’t make the final squad, his invitation indicates his improving play.
The odd part of reviews of Vorobiev’s play is that according to NHL scouting sources, he is considered mainly a defensive D-man who enjoys physical play, with limited offensive potential. Russian sources ranked him 2nd of all the available Russian defenders in the 2004 draft, and found his fall to the 5th round to be rather shocking. They highly rate his quick thinking, up-tempo style of play, and his sound physical presence. His development in the RSL has gone at a solid pace, and at this point he could easily step into the Leafs D as a potential top 4 player.
Lets face it, the days of waiting on Colaiacovo, White, Harrison, and Kronwall to be the next big thing have to be fading into the rearview. Harrison has already signed a contract with ECC in the Swiss league; Kronwall, while physical, has shown his offensive potential is minimal; White has decent offensive instincts, but his propensity to fall down in his own zone, and his size will always limit his defensive abilities; and Colaiacovo can’t catch a break on the injury front - actually check that - he’s caught far too many breaks on the injury front. The Leafs need an infusion of stability on the back end, and with the promotion of Anton Stralman they have found a solid contributor for the future on the blue line. Vorobiev could be the Leafs equivalent to Anton Volchenkov if only they could convince him to leave the comfy confines of the Lada Togliatti program.
Which brings me to the most relevant news of note in recent days. The expiry of an NHL transfer agreement with the IIHF. The Russians and NHL never did sign a transfer agreement under the IIHF banner, but this should open things up even more with the new Continental Super League being backed by Russian oligarch funding.
The unfortunate reality of the new transfer-less world in hockey is, the Leafs lost one of their few remaining tools to pry players like Vorobiev away from their European teams. The Leafs would now need a repeat of their efforts with Nikolai Kulemin, agreeing to a deal that will kick in when Vorobiev’s current contract with Togliatti expires. At this point that doesn’t appear to be happening
If the hockey leagues of the world agree to abide by each other’s contracts, then free agency would take on a global flavour, with teams across the planet vying for players services. The NHL could maintain its “salary cap” if it so chooses - but this would open the door to possible market forces entering the fray yet again. This time on an international scale.
Vorobiev has appeared to be comfortable with Togliatti, having never played for another club since joining their junior league team in 2001-02. He has likely grown fond of the stability as that is being regular cited as one of the main causes for his not crossing to play in North America to this point. Given the fact that Toronto is now obviously in a rebuild mode, the team could do far worse than offering Vorobiev a contract similar to that given to Nikolai Kulemin in an effort to bolster their youth and improve their prospects going forward.
Unfortunately, there seems to be little impetus to get anything done on the side of Vorobiev - perhaps the Leafs will feel more interested if he produces well during another season in the RSL. Let’s not forget that Cliff Fletcher and Al Coates were both involved with the signing of Russian legend Sergei Makarov when he first played in the NHL for the Calgary Flames. Perhaps some of that history could work in their favour? If we’re looking to the past for indications, that one doesn’t hurt.
Posted in Prospects
12 Responses to “Leafs Sure Could Use Dmitri Vorobiev”
By PPP on Jun 17, 2008
This falls under the category of rumours (obviously) but a good friend of mine’s father has close relationships with a lot of Russian players and officials (from his days as a coach in Russia) and they both spent time in Halifax with the Russian team during the WHC.
He told me that Vorobiev wants to come to Toronto this year and if all works out he will be in training camp.
If McCabe or Kubina are moved then that opens up another spot and I wouldn’t be surprised to see White gone either.
By Marco on Jun 17, 2008
I’d love to see this guy make the squad. I’ve been keeping my eyes on him for a few years but latest I knew of him he was too comfy in Russia.
By Steve on Jun 17, 2008
If that happens to work out, that’s very welcome news. As much as the Leafs take a beating for not having enough “top flight” prospects in the system, I think the fact that they’re the only team in the NHL that had two players they drafted, who are under the age of 25, in the top 30 in scoring in the RSL last season deserves mentioning.
Columbus, Ottawa, and Vancouver are the only other teams that can boast 2 draft picks in the top 30 in RSL scoring last year, and the only real “prospect” of that group is Sergei Shirokov who was taken 163rd overall by the Canucks in the 2006 draft. The Leafs have done decently with their Russian scouting obviously.
Between Kulemin, Vorobiev, Stralman, and Korbinian Holzer, as well as players like Kaberle, Karel Pilar, Dmitri Mironov, etc. I would say the Leafs European scouts deserve some respect.
By PPP on Jun 17, 2008
Depending on how things work out the Leafs D next year could be:
Kubina-Kaberle
Carlo-Stralman
Vorobiev-Kronwall
Long odds on getting the changes needed (White and McCabe gone, Kronwall re-signed, and Vorobiev over from Russia) but that has the foundations for a pretty good backline.
By Marco on Jun 17, 2008
odds of that are so bad. to get rid of McCabe over Kubina..bad odds…and getting Vorobiev here…plus Carlo staying healthy for any amount of time..and even Kubina only had that small stretch of good play. Not sure if Kronwall is a 6th, might just be a really good 7th for injury fill in. Our defense needs major work in my opinion.
By Steve on Jun 17, 2008
I’d much rather lose McCabe than Kubina. He’s cheaper against the cap, and he’s a better all around defender… and you don’t really lose much on the offensive end.
As for Kubina’s “small stretch” of good play, it was really the entire season. The media just didn’t realize it until the last 3rd or so. He was quite good in the first half also, which is why I wrote a posting about how underrated he was.
I agree that Kronwall is at THIS point a 7th D. But on next year’s Leafs squad, he’s probably the 6th man if they don’t sign Harrison to a one way deal. I think Harrison would be better, but since he’s getting older I’m not sure they want him on the Leafs.
I think White could fetch us something on the open market - perhaps a pick or a prospect, so I don’t really mind losing him via trade.
By scotty on Jun 18, 2008
Is McCabe really going to leave? Is the situation that different from last Feb? I am tired of him, but perhaps Fletcher has to sit him down and say, “Do you really want to get booed all year again, and the year after that, and…or would you rather play for the Islanders where you could be viewed as a savior?” My other worry is that McCabe would say, “Yeah, I guess I’ll go.” and then the Islanders don’t offer as much as Cliff wants and he drops it. Honestly, to dump the salary and get ANY prospect in return and even someting like a second-round draft pick (which would be high this year and JFJ traded Toronto’s away for a guy who barely hit the ice - so dumb). The Snow-Wang combo are looking for offense and McCabe could look appealing and be cheaper than Redden or Campbell. Then Kubina could stick around (I don’t panic when he’s carrying the puck out of the zone, unlike McCabe). But this is probably a waste of typing since McCabe will hold on for dear life to a dream that died half a decade ago.
Here’s a crazy idea: Could Ian White manage as a forward? He’s got some moves and decent speed, but he’s not really big enough for the NHL, especially when the playoffs hit. It worked for Wendel Clark!
By dan on Jun 18, 2008
On the trade front. What would it take to get Olli Jokinen out of Flordia? He’s a guy who you could build the team around. I know that he is 30 years old, but the Leafs are looking at turning this thing around quickly and Olli has lots of talent, works hard, is a durable player and has a decent contract.
By Marco on Jun 18, 2008
I’d rather look at options for right now Dan. We need a 20-25 year old centre. Not a 30 year old centre. Who knows how long before we’re built properly to win a cup?
By dan on Jun 18, 2008
How long do you plan on your rebuilding period? 8-10 years? Come on, think about it, the idea is to win in 2 to 3 years, maybe 4 at the latest. Olli will be 33 or 34 by then. Do you think Burke will be looking at 5 years down the road and not trying to win in 2 or 3? The landscape of the NHL is ever changing, so are trades, worry about year 6-7 then, not now.
Listen, 20-25 year old stars don’t grow on trees, teams don’t give them up for nothing, and they don’t generally ask for a trade out of town. Why would they, they are either too young to know any better or are 2 years away from URFA. Teams are locking up their UFAs for longer and longer, the free agent market has almost dried up (save for Buffalo letting their players walk to free agency). So you have to pick up other teams problems and try to fix them yourself. You have to draft well, not trade your picks, and hope for good trades to work out. Either that or bomb out for a few years like Pittsburg then make a run for it - hasn’t worked too well for LA or CHI though, so it’s not like it’s a homerun.
Olli would give the team a number one centre to build around, a building block for the two to four year window. 4 years down the road, we look at the UFAs RFAs and trades to fill his roll. Hopefully you’ve drafted someone who can also come in and be your number one centre.
By Marco on Jun 18, 2008
I just disagree. I wouldn’t build around a 30 year old centre. I’d wait and draft my own or acquire it in a trade somehow. I don’t just go with whats out there for the sake of building around something.