Leafs sign two European defensemen including 20 year old Filip Kral

This just in, the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed a pair of defensemen, inking Filip Kral to a three year entry-level deal and Kristians Rubins to a two year entry-level deal.

Check it out:

Read below for the full press release announcement courtesy of the Leafs' official website:

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed defenceman Filip Kral to a three-year entry level contract and defenceman Kristians Rubins to a two-year entry level contract. 

Kral, 20, appeared in 54 games with the Spokane Chiefs (WHL) during the 2019-20 season and registered 49 points (12 goals, 37 assists), which ranked second among Spokane defenceman and tied for 10th among WHL defenders. In 154 career WHL regular season games, Kral has recorded 120 points (31 goals, 89 assists), while adding a pair of assists in 17 career WHL playoff games. He represented the Czech Republic at both the 2018 and 2019 IIHF World Junior Championships. 

Kral was originally drafted by the Maple Leafs in the fifth round (149th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Rubins, 22, appeared in 47 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) during the 2019-20 season and registered 14 points (two goals, 12 assists). In 2018-19, he split his season between the Marlies and the Newfoundland Growlers (ECHL). The Riga, Latvia native recorded three assists in 15 games with the Marlies in 2018-19, while recording two goals and 16 assists in 56 games with the Growlers. Rubins skated in 17 playoff games with Newfoundland and recorded a goal and two assists, capturing the Kelly Cup in the franchise's inaugural season. 

Rubins originally joined the Maple Leafs organization on August 3, 2018 after signing an ECHL contract with the Newfoundland Growlers. He signed his first AHL contract with the Toronto Marlies on October 31, 2018 and was re-signed by the club on July 3, 2019. 

It remains to be seen how and when these two youngsters will be used by the Leafs' organization, but it's probably safe to say that both players will use some AHL or even ECHL seasoning before getting a shot with the big club up in the NHL. Stay tuned, Leafs fans.