Why the Maple Leafs are Reportedly 'Interested' in KHL Goal-Scoring Winger Maxim Tsyplakov

Kloke reports that Tsyplakov and his agent, Alexander Chernykh, met with the Maple Leafs over Zoom last week.

"Among the topics of conversation during the Zoom call was Tsyplakov’s positional fit with the Leafs and whether he could play centre next season," Kloke reported. "Other topics during the meeting included Leafs management selling Tsyplakov on Toronto as a living destination."

Tsyplakov's goal-scoring total has nearly tripled since last season in the KHL, going from 10 goals in 2022-23 to 30 goals this year with Spartak Moskva.

The six-foot-three forward is very shifty and can make the most of his scoring chances, beating goalies with his strong shot. The 25-year-old's 31 goals is the third-most in the KHL this season.

Tsyplakov, since he'd be entering the NHL at 26, is eligible to sign a one-year entry-level contract worth a maximum of $925,000.

"Chernykh said Tsyplakov is interested in developing his game even further should he sign in the NHL," Kloke added.

Toronto has three forwards coming off the books at the end of this season: Tyler Bertuzzi, Max Domi, and Bobby McMann, while Noah Gregor and Nick Robertson are restricted free agents.

The Maple Leafs have struggled to find depth-scoring this season. Forty-two of Toronto's 169 goals have come from forwards not named Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, or John Tavares.

A signing such as this — although far into the future — could help blanket the struggles that the Maple Leafs have had this season. However, as Kloke reports, there are 12 NHL teams in the mix for Tsyplakov, so plenty of work is ahead if Toronto wants to see him in the blue and white next season.