Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Mark Hunter announces Mitchell Marner (not pictured) as the number four overall pick to the Toronto Maple Leafs as commissioner Gary Bettman looks on in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
NUMBER 11 – JEREMY BRACCO
Drafted with the 61st Overall pick int he 2nd round, Jeremy Bracco was rated by many scouting agencies as a sure-fire 1st round talent. The diminutive forward (5ft9, 174lbs) oozes offensive talent and obliterated the USNTDP, scoring 30 goals and 94 points in just 65 games.
More from Editor In Leaf
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Nick Robertson Healthy and Ready
- Ryan Reaves Will Have Zero Impact on Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Playing Max Domi In Top-Six a HUGE Mistake
- Top 10 Scandals in the History of the Toronto Maple Leafs
- Toronto Maple Leafs: Results from the Traverse City Prospects Tournament
He set the USNTDP single season record for assists with 64 – a record previously held by Patrick Kane. His 168 points scored during his USNTDP career rank third all time, behind Phil Kessel and Patrick Kane, pretty good company to keep as an elite offensive talent.
Again, there is a lot of division inside our writer team about where exactly Bracco should fall. Is he a sure-fire top 10 talent? Or more of a high-risk, high-reward case? Only time will tell, and the Leafs will get that with Bracco as he has committed to Boston College for the foreseeable future.
Bracco is not without his spots however, as again he is a very small player who will have to add mass to play at the NHL level. He also tends to look lost defensively and often loses his defensive assignments. His skating could definitely be improved, although not a poor skater, he will be spending lots of time with Skating Coach Barb Underhill to get that extra burst into his stride.
A talent that could absolutely crack the top10 next year, but that we won’t be seeing in a Toronto Maple Leafs uniform for some time.
Next: Recap