Soshnikov thinks he can crack Maple Leafs roster

The Maple Leafs’ latest signing thinks he has a good chance to make Toronto’s roster next season, according to a report on Saturday.

Nikita Soshnikov was signed to a three-year contract on Friday. The Russian native told Igor Eronko of Sports.ru that with the Leafs rebuild, he believes that he would be able to fit into their lineup.

Soshnikov, 21, scored 14 goals and had 32 points in 57 games with Moscow Oblast Atlant of the Kontinental Hockey League this season.

He went on to tell Eronko that there was interest from other NHL clubs, and that he is willing to play in the AHL if needed.

Although, as Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston noted, the forward isn’t able to play for Toronto until next season.

In the Maple Leafs’ press release, they said that Soshnikov had the third-highest point total among players under the age of 23 in the KHL.

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