Toronto Maple Leafs: Defensive Options At #31 Overall

Unless one of the few defenders consistently ranked in the first round of the NHL Draft falls to them at the Penguins pick, the Toronto Maple Leafs likely won’t see a defender until the second round.

There’s nothing wrong with that, of course, because last year the Toronto Maple Leafs were able to get Travis Dermott at #34.

This year they’ll be looking to add another defender at #31 if they don’t find themselves lucky enough to have Dante Fabbro or Charles McAvoy fall to them where the Penguins finally land. Even Logan Stanley projects to go before the Penguins pick lands – unless Washington makes a miraculous comeback in the next three games of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.

Who they pick may depend on whether they go for best player available, or handedness. The Toronto Maple Leafs need right-shot defenders. The ideal pairing in the NHL is a left and right shot – unless you have two great puck moving defenders paired together.

Of the four players I’ve chosen as #31 overall options only one of them is a right-shot defender – but I wouldn’t necessarily classify him as the best one available if all four are around.

Here are the four players. Click through the slideshow to find out more about each defender on the list.

1. Libor Hajek (CZE)
2. Filip Hronek (CZE)
3. Jacob Moverare (SWE)
4. Kyle Clague (CAN)

Next: Libor Hajek