Right Wing: William Nylander
The first truly elite offensive player Toronto has drafted since Nazem Kadri, Nylander has a very high ceiling and a world full of elite hands and skating talent. He has that special kind of hockey sense and feel for the game where plays just seem to develop around him. Skating is elite, as are his hands, capable of highlight reel plays every time he touches the ice. Nylander needs some more time to adjust to the North American ice and bigger, stronger defenders, but he will be in the NHL sooner than later.
Upside: Top 20 scorer in the NHL
Tip of the Tower
Realistic Projection: 2nd line 60+ power play specialist
NHL Ready: 2016-17
NHL Player Comparable: Patrick Kane
Overall Position Rankings: A
Number of Prospects: 6
Number of Prospects with Realistic Shot at NHL play: 3, led by Nylander, Connor Brown and Andreas Johnson
Need for Position at NHL level by Leafs: Depending on if Kessel is moved, could be 2 or 3 positions available come training camp.
This is a position that the Leafs are loaded with both role players and potentially high end players. With Nylander, Brown and Johnson they have a potentially deadly 1st, 2nd and 3rd line right wing locked up for the foreseeable future.
Overall the Leafs have done a fantastic job of gathering potential gems in the late rounds the last few drafts, but are hurting in the high-end, blue chip prospects department. This is exactly why this rebuild is coming at the right time, a few years of really high picks results in the much needed top end prospects the pipeline needs. a sure fire starting goaltender, top pairing Dman and top line center should be the Leafs priorities in the near future.
Next week we’ll continue to break down the Leaf’s prospect pipeline.
As always, feel free to comment below or reach out to me on twitter @TorrinBatchelor as you can never have too many conversations about hockey in a day!