Leafs select Mikhail Abramov 115th overall

With their fourth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected forward Mikhail Abramov.

Continuing their streak of recently drafting undersized highly-skilled skaters, the Leafs select 5-foot-10 Abramov out of the QMJHL.

Playing his first season in North America with the Victoriaville Tigres, Abramov scored 16 goals and 54 points in 62 games. He excelled at the Under-18 Hlinka Gretzky tournament, netting seven points in just five games, where he was able to demonstrate his high skill on the Russian national team.

With an ability to get behind defenders with his skating, Abramov is a natural playmaker in the offensive zone and off the rush. Compared to other undersized playmaker Leafs draft pick Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, Abramov seems like a more-polished player.

The Russian forward was ranked 53rd by HockeyProspect, 63rd (NA) by NHL Central Scouting, 91st by EliteProspects, and 96th by The Athletic. Overall, Abramov seems like a very safe pick to make at the 115th-overall spot, taking a gamble on some high-skill is just what this Leafs management team does during this time.