Explaining Ilya Samsonov’s arbitration case with the Toronto Maple Leafs and why letting it get to that point is a loss for the club. There seems to be some encouraging news about Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov. In an interview with Sport-Express Russia [https://www.sport-express.ru/hockey/khl/reviews/rinat-bashirov-intervyu-generalnogo-direktora-salavata-yulaeva-o-dolgah-i-transferah-kluba-2106612/], Salavat Yulaev's General Director, Rinat Bashirov, was asked about the 21-year-old and his health. "He continues treatment, there is a positive trend," Bashirov said. "He has full confidence that he will go on the ice. Of course, if Rodion played for us, it would be a completely different team. "I can tell that he has matured a lot. He continues to work, his parents and we support him very much, and, of course, Rodion took the signing of the contract positively. We pray for him. I believe that he will return, we are all waiting for him." The 21-year-old signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Maple Leafs in April of 2021. Ten months later, former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas revealed that Amirov had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was receiving treatment. During last season's home opener, Toronto introduced Amirov as an honourary member of the Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/rodion-amirov-introduced-as-honorary-member-of-maple-leafs-home-opening-night-roster]. The team then had a tribute for the 21-year-old during their Hockey Fights Cancer game in November. "It hits a little bit differently with our connection with Rodion Amirov and his fight that he's in," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said after the game. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMRHOgYfcrs[/embed] Amirov reportedly signed a one-year extension with the KHL's Salavat Yulaev in May to remain in Russia and continue receiving treatment. Toronto drafted Amirov in the first round (15th overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft. Related Former and Current Maple Leafs Party as Mitch Marner Marries Long-Time Girlfriend [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/former-and-current-maple-leafs-party-as-mitch-marner-marries-long-time-girlfriend] Report: Former Maple Leafs Prospect Brennan Menell Granted Russian Citizenship [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/report-former-maple-leafs-prospect-brennan-menell-granted-russian-citizenship] How the Maple Leafs Can Get Under the Salary Cap for Opening Night [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/news/how-the-maple-leafs-can-get-under-the-salary-cap-for-opening-night] News from THN.com Five Off-Season Events Involving NHL Players That Must Return [https://thehockeynews.com/news/five-off-season-events-involving-nhl-players-that-must-return] Eight Canadians to Watch at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup [https://thehockeynews.com/news/eight-canadians-to-watch-at-the-2023-hlinka-gretzky-cup] Screen Shots: Ottawa Senators, NHL in Australia, and Matt Murray [https://thehockeynews.com/news/screen-shots-ottawa-senators-nhl-in-australia-and-matt-murray]
