Sep 24, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Viktor Loov (65) tries to control the puck against Ottawa Senators forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) during the first period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
NUMBER 12 – VIKTOR LOOV
At Number 12 on our official Top 20 Young Leafs rankings we have the man who should have Drowning Pools “Here Comes The Boom” as his official theme song; Viktor Loov.
The 6ft3, 209lbs Two-way defenceman is one of the Leafs more exciting prospects to watch as seen below…
I’ll come right out front and say that Viktor Loov – pronounced “Love” – is probably one of my favourite Toronto Maple Leafs prospects and has been for a while now, so take all analysis with a grain of salt.
The Loov Machine is a force of nature up and down the ice, he is more of a jack-of-all-trades style of defender, except for one area that he absolutely excels in… the open-ice massive, game changing hit. The kind of hit that will see him constantly toeing the line between making differences on the ice, and spending a lot of time in the Commissioner’s offices appealing suspensions.
He is also a capable skater, with a sense of almost prophetic timing when it comes to laying a smack down on an unsuspecting opposing skater. He has a surprisingly effective shot, that sneaks off his blade with an unpredictable curve.
With some interesting untapped offensive potential that began to show in the second half of last season, Viktor Loov could see himself rise up these rankings sooner than later, but most likely this is as high as he goes. As entertaining as he is, and despite all the NHL calibre traits he has in spades, Loov will most likely top out as a No.4 2-way Dman that can skate, hit and pass his way out of trouble.
Next: Number 11