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Toronto Maple Leafs: Late First Round Draft Options

By Tim Chiasson |
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The Toronto Maple Leafs hold the Pittsburgh Penguins first round pick at the 2016 NHL Draft, though the actual selection position is unknown.

When (if) the Pittsburgh Penguins get eliminated in the playoffs, or win the Stanley Cup, the Toronto Maple Leafs will know where they stand at the bottom end of the first round.

It’s highly likely the top-end defenders in the draft will be gone and the Toronto Maple Leafs will be selecting their second forward of the day.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a chance to land another good prospect with their first round pick, a player who may end up being an impact player up front for the team. The randomness of the draft provides that future capability.

Here’s a look at four late first round options for the Toronto Maple Leafs with the Penguins pick:

  1. Alex DeBrincat (C)
  2. Taylor Raddysh (RW)
  3. Henrik Borgstrom (LW)
  4. Rasmus Asplund (C/LW)

Next: Alex DeBrincat

Nov 6, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A view of the new jumbo scoreboard before the start of the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A view of the new jumbo scoreboard before the start of the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre. The Red Wings beat the Maple Leafs 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Alex DeBrincat

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DOB: December 18th, 1997 (18 years old)

Height: 5’7″

Weight: 161 lbs

Shoots: Right

DeBrincat has back-to-back 50 goal, 100 point seasons leading up to the 2016 NHL Draft. He also had one goal at the WJHC for Team USA this year in a supporting role.

Of DeBrincat’s 101 points this season for Erie, 64 were at even strength. Of those 64 even strength points 53 were primary (goal or first assist).

Hajek is ranked 28th by hockeyprospect.com, 27th by Future Considerations, 26th by ISS Hockey and 21st among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Next: Taylor Raddysh

Mar 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A young Toronto Maple Leafs fan waves a foam finger before the start of the game against the Buffalo Sabres at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Sabres 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A young Toronto Maple Leafs fan waves a foam finger before the start of the game against the Buffalo Sabres at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Sabres 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Taylor Raddysh

DOB: February 18th, 1998 (18 years old)

Height: 6’2″

Weight: 198 lbs

Shoots: Right

Raddysh had 24 goals and 49 assists for Erie this season. He chipped in 10 points in 12 games during the OHL playoffs as well. Raddysh flew under the radar leading into this season after recording 21 goals and only 6 assists in his rookie campaign.

Of his 73 points 56 came in at even strength, with 44 of those 5v5 points being primary points. Pretty great numbers from Raddysh.

Raddysh is ranked 28th by ISS Hockey and 36th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting on their final rankings.

Next: Henrik Borgstrom

Feb 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; An ice resurfacer clears the ice before the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the New York Rangers at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; An ice resurfacer clears the ice before the Toronto Maple Leafs game against the New York Rangers at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Henrik Borgstrom

DOB: August 6th, 1998 (17 years old)

Height: 6’3″

Weight: 170 lbs

Shoots: Left

Borgstrom had a dominant season for HIFK U20 in the Junior A SM-Liiga, recording 29 goals and 26 assists in 40 games. He also added six points in four playoff games.

He’s committed to the University of Denver in the NCAA for the 2016-2017 hockey season.

Borgstrom is ranked the ninth best European skater by NHL Central Scouting.

Next: Rasmus Asplund

Apr 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs logo on the offices of the Air Canada Centre before the final game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Maple Leafs logo on the offices of the Air Canada Centre before the final game of the season against the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Rasmus Asplund

“Asplund is quick and shifty, using his speed and turning ability to gain time and space. He has a good touch around the net, positioning his stick in the right place and takes a beating to complete a play. His SHL numbers might not show it, but he’s a very good scorer with a quick, accurate shot. Asplund is strong on the puck and can make plays across the ice or diagonally while traveling at a high rate of speed. His work ethic off the ice is excellent, and it shows — he’s a tenacious forechecker and competes every shift from start to finish. Asplund is far from physical, but his excellent work in the faceoff circle coupled with his smarts makes him a perfect fit for the NHL’s puck-possession game.” (The Draft Analyst)

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Rasmus Asplund

LW, Farjestad BK (SHL)

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Here’s what The Draft Analyst had to say about Asplund:

“Asplund is quick and shifty, using his speed and turning ability to gain time and space. He has a good touch around the net, positioning his stick in the right place and takes a beating to complete a play. His SHL numbers might not show it, but he’s a very good scorer with a quick, accurate shot. Asplund is strong on the puck and can make plays across the ice or diagonally while traveling at a high rate of speed. His work ethic off the ice is excellent, and it shows — he’s a tenacious forechecker and competes every shift from start to finish. Asplund is far from physical, but his excellent work in the faceoff circle coupled with his smarts makes him a perfect fit for the NHL’s puck-possession game.” (The Draft Analyst)

DOB: December 3rd, 1997 (17 years old)

Height: 5’11”

Weight: 176 lbs

Shoots: Left

Asplund’s point totals aren’t going to wow anyone, but consider he was playing in the Swedish Elite League. Asplund recorded 12 points in 46 games for Farjestad BK in the SHL this year.

He had five points in seven games for Sweden at the World Junior Hockey Championships.

Next: 56th Overall Draft Options

Asplund is ranked 24th by Hockey Prospect, 25th by Future Considerations, 22nd by McKeen’s, and 4th among European skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

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