A GOOD THING FOR THOSE WHO WAIT
Toronto’s first draft pick isn’t until late in the first round this year, but there still could be a surprise or two at No. 25 overall
Because the Maple Leafs are drafting so low this year, 25th overall, the anticipation surrounding who they might pick is not what it used to be when they chose in the top 10.
The pick is no less important, though it is more likely to be a role player a few years from being in the NHL.
“By the time you get to 25, you never know, but there are better players than you thought will be there,” said Mark Seidel, chief scout for North American Central Scouting. “I still think they’ll get a pretty good player at 25, a better player than people expect.”
The last time the Leafs chose 25th was in 2011, when they took defenceman Stuart Percy. He played 12 games in a Toronto uniform and is no longer with the organization.
But there can be surprises. Boston chose Leaf-killer David Pastrnak at 25 in 2014, the year the Leafs took William Nylander eighth.
This is GM Kyle Dubas’s first year running the draft and it would not be a surprise if he chose to trade his top pick if the players the Leafs were hoping to choose from are gone by the time Toronto’s pick comes around.
Here are players the Leafs might be looking at with the 25th pick Friday, with thanks to Seidel and Mark Edwards, the director of scouting for hockeyprospect.com.
LIAM FOUDY
Centre, London (OHL) Stats: 38 GP, 9 G, 7 A, 16 P Height: 6-0. Weight: 174 pounds. Skinny: Rated 19th by NHL Central Scouting, up from 91st in mid-year ... Scarborough native scored 14 times in a 13-game span to finish third on Knights in scoring. ... Represented Canada at U-17s.
Seidel: “He rocketed up the boards in the second half. The Knights moved some older players and he took advantage.”
MARTIN KAUT
Right wing, HC Dynamo Pardubice (Czech Rep.) Stats: 38 GP, 9 G, 7 A, 16 P Height: 6-1. Weight: 174 pounds.
Skinny: Fourth-rated among European skaters on NHL Central Scouting ... Most have the Czech forward in the top 20, but at the NHL Combine he was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition. He’s been treated, and cleared to play, but it may scare some teams.
Edwards: “This guy is going to play in the NHL. He reminds me of a Bo Horvat on the wing. Good, smart hockey player. Plays a pro game.”
AKIL THOMAS
Centre, Niagara (OHL) Stats: 68 GP, 22 G, 59 A, 81 P
Height: 5-11. Weight: 177 pounds.
Skinny: Rated 15th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ... Scarborough native impressed in his rookie OHL year and tailed off a bit this year, but still was fifth in OHL assists ... His dad played 13 years in the minors.
Edwards: “When Akil is on, he’s better than 25. It’s more a consistency thing.”
RYAN MERKLEY
Defence, Guelph (OHL) Stats: 62 GP, 12 G, 43 A, 55 P
Height: 5-11. Weight: 168 pounds.
Skinny: Rated 45th among North American skaters, dropping from 21 in mid-year ranking ... Was OHL rookie of the year in 2016-17 ... Top talent when it comes to offence, but his commitment to defence and the team game is suspect.
Seidel: “Has top-five talent in the draft, but there are so many warts to his game ... a team has to be willing to swing for the fences.”
RASMUS SANDIN
Defence, Sault Ste Marie (OHL) Stats: 51 GP, 12 G, 33 A, 45 P
Height: 5-11. Weight: 186 pounds.
Skinny: Rated 15th among North American skaters ... Led OHL rookie defenceman in goals, assists and points in regular season ... Captained Sweden to a gold medal in 2016 World-U17 challenge and bronze in the Ivan Hlinka in 2017.
Seidel: “He is exactly the kind of defenceman Kyle (Dubas) likes. A puck-possession guy. He runs the power play down the road.”
NICOLAS BEAUDIN
Defence, Drummondville (QMJHL) Stats: 68 GP, 12 G, 57 A, 69 P
Height: 5-11. Weight: 172 pounds
Skinny: Rated 31st among North American skaters ... Second team QMJHL all-star, tied for second among league D-men in points ... Says he models his play after Leafs D Jake Gardiner.
Edwards: “Slight of frame, but very intelligent. Smart, really good puck-moving. Good on the power play.”