Former NHL Third Round Pick Sergei Andronov Draws Interest From Multiple Teams

GettyImages-923969986 — The Toronto Maple Leafs are one of multiple teams who have their eye on Sergei Andronov. Pictured: Gold medal winner Sergei Andronov #11 of Olympic Athlete from Russia celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in overtime to defeat Germany 4-3 during the Men's Gold Medal Game on day sixteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 25, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. Getty Images/Harry How

In a couple of months, NHL teams may start skimming the market for deserving free agents. And one name has already come out in the open in Sergei Andronov. The Russian hockey player is reportedly drawing interest from several teams, one of which is the Toronto Maple Leafs.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Adronov has become a player of interest for several NHL clubs. To get him on board in any of them, he could ask for an expected salary between $1.5 to 2 million next season.

KHL centerman, Sergei Andronov is a player of interest to the Leafs. Several NHL teams are in the mix. At $1.5 to $2 mil next season...might be too rich for Toronto for a depth center. https://t.co/PfjoYorqC7
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 8, 2019

For the benefit of readers who may have not heard of Adronov, the 29-year-old professional ice hockey player is no stranger to the NHL. He was the third round pick of the St. Louis Blues during the 2009 NHL Draft. When his two-year contract with the Blues ended, Adronov decided to return to his former team, HC ASKA Moscow in the KHL, in 2014.

Looking at his resume, Adronov was part of the Russian team that competed in the World Junior Championships and the World Championship. He was an assistant captain for the Olympic athletes from Russia who bagged the gold medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Adronov does carry impressive credentials but is seen as more of an elite faceoff man and a good defensive center. And while his offense leaves a lot to be desired, he could end up being handy when taking on a fourth-line and penalty killing option for any NHL team that successfully strikes a deal with him, Yardbarker.com reported.

However, the Maple Leafs and the rumored teams interested in adding him to their fold may have their work cut out for them. They will need to dangle a good offer to convince him to make the jump from the KHL to the NHL. His contract does end in April, but Dregger added that any move back to the NHL can only happen next season.

The Maple Leafs do have one of the best teams in the league right now, making it somehow odd that Toronto would be one of the teams taking aim at Adronov. But as Fansided pointed out, tweaks to the lineup are still needed, depending on game situations and how the team performs.

They do have the personnel, but finding the right mix to take the ice depends on the right combination that coach Mike Babcock chooses. Will Adronov be a fit in the event he does sign up with the Maple Leafs at some point?