A few short months ago, Semyon Der-Arguchintsev was atop the hockey world. Just removed from being selected 76th overall at the 2018 draft, Der-Arguchintsev attended Toronto Maple Leafs training camp. He earned a preseason game and an entry-level contract — a rare feat for a third-round pick just months after his draft.



Der-Arguchintsev didn’t just wow with his stickhandling skills and vision. His personality combined with his skills and story took Leafs fans by storm. It looked like the highly skilled centre was about to demolish the OHL. But four months later, Der-Arguchintsev hasn’t become that player. He’s playing at under a point-per-game pace as an 18-year-old NHL draft pick — not exactly ideal.



Despite the low production (more on that later), Der-Arguchintsev remains one of the hockey world’s most fascinating prospects. He’s a highly dynamic stickhandler and playmaker — and one of the best in all of junior...