Toronto Maple Leafs: Draft Consensus At 3-5 Is Dylan Strome

The Toronto Maple Leafs are on their way to the very bottom of the basement and will likely be selecting between spots three to five.

This week’s roundtable question – you can check out last week’s here – is on who they should take.

Question: If the Maple Leafs finish the season in a 3rd-5th overall draft position, who should they take?

Jeff Langridge: Dylan Strome

If we can’t have Connor McDavid, we can at least get his teammate. Strome has 34 goals and 63 assists for 97 points in 58 games, currently sitting one point behind Mitch Marner for the top scorer in the OHL.

Although, everyone that’s ahead of McDavid in points can thank his hand injury and the World Juniors for that.

The younger brother of New York Islander Ryan Strome, it looks like Dylan might be a better prospect. He’s also a 6’2″ center, so he fits the big center mold that the Leafs have been looking for.

With the knowledge that you can only draft those types of players as it is very hard to trade for them, the Leafs would be wise to fall down the standings far enough that they can take him. That means falling down to at least the fourth-worst in the NHL, maybe even third.

Steve Gosse: Dylan Strome

If the Leafs don’t win the lottery,  they still have an opportunity to get their future #1 center,  and that is Dylan Strome of the Erie Otters.   He has size at 6’2″ and the vision and play making ability to give the Buds stability at the pivot for the first time since Mats.

Already having our puck-moving blueliner in Reilly on the roster (and Gardiner if he’s still here)  we can afford to look past Hanifin and fill the more scarce need.

Strome may not have as much flash as Marner out of London  but – with a rebuild on its way – I think it’s a mistake to spend such a high pick on a winger,  given the Leafs recent struggles to find a true #1 center.

It may not be until 2017-2018 season that we get to see the Strome pick pay off, but if a true rebuild is on its way, that’s fine with me.

Tim Chiasson: Dylan Strome

It has to be Dylan Strome.  The Leafs have been looking for a 1C for years and Strome could, potentially, be that guy.

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If the Maple Leafs take anyone other than Dylan Strome at picks 3-5 they are going to have a lot of explaining to do to the media and fans as to why they didn’t choose a potential top line center.

Strome is a gifted player with a strong hockey IQ and when he fills out his 6’2″ frame he’s going to be hard to move off of the puck.

Noah Hanifin is a great prospect but I’d be wary of drafting a college defender over a player like Strome based on their history of struggling to transition to the NHL – and the Leafs just don’t need a defender as badly.

David Chernish

3rd overall draft pick -Noah Hanifin, U-20 USMNT 

Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel will go No. 1 and 2 respectively, and Hanifin will be No. 3 overall. He played in this years World Junior Championship for Team USA, and stands at 6’3″ and 201 lbs. He is a two way defender who displays good vision and great hockey IQ.

4th Overall draft pick – Dylan Strome, Erie Otters, OHL

When Connor McDavid was out of the Otters line-up due to the wrist injury sustained in a fight, and for awhile it was his team. The kid has an impressive stat line of 34 goals and 63 assists for 97 points. He has tremendous playmaking ability and has shown he can play on the big stage, recording five goals and one assist for six points in five games during the Ivan Hilinka Tournament.

5th Overall draft pick – Mitch Marner, London Knights, OHL

New Executive Dale Hunter will be all over the Leafs to take Mitch Marner, and he would not disappoint. He has come up big this year for the London Knights, 37 goals and 61 assists for 98 points in 49 games played. He is a a dynamic offensive forward that is absolutely lightning on his feet; he battles hard in all three zones and shows a willingness to put the puck into the back of the net.

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