Having Rodion Amirov around the Leafs has been an encouraging sign for the Russian prospect. He has had a chance to connect with his future team, build a relationship with Ilya Samsonov, and use hockey as a distraction from the far more serious things going on in his life. Though as Sheldon Keefe alluded to last week, “he’s still got a hard road ahead.”

Amirov has returned to Russia for his additional treatments, and we wish him all the best as he continues his difficult fight. There will be no greater moment than if Amirov gets to take the ice as a Leaf, but of course, having a healthy life is the priority.