Toronto Maple Leafs: Don’t Think Tkachuk And Dvorak
The Toronto Maple Leafs have the best junior hockey player in the world – Mitch Marner – but should they consider acquiring his entire junior line?
That’s exactly what front office personal pondered about the Toronto Maple Leafs, and mentioned to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.
“It’s funny, I was talking to a couple of scouts who were out there, and they were telling me they were having a conversation over dinner – ‘Would Toronto ever consider trying to get all three of those guys?’ They’ve already got one, they’ve got Marner. Arizona has Dvorak. They could draft Tkachuk.” (Elliotte Friedman via Today’s Slapshot)
It’s a tricky situation, especially with the hype players get in junior these days.
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First off, drafting anyone other than Auston Matthews at number one overall is just plain stupid. Patrik Laine is easily the next best talent, but franchise centers don’t grow on trees – and some organizations chase them down for several years. The chance to draft one should never be overlooked by flashy end-of-year Twitter gif’s.
Let’s talk about Dvorak first.
Dvorak is no doubt one of the best players in the CHL, but let’s not forget that this kid was drafted 58th overall. Does that mean he can’t be great in the NHL? Of course not, but it doesn’t mean he’s on the same level as Marner like some suggest after the OHL playoffs and the Memorial Cup.
Marner drives that line – not Tkachuk or Dvorak. The fourth overall pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs drives that Knights team.
Are his statistics impressive? Absolutely. Dvorak was an animal for the London Knights this year, but so was Rob Schremp and Dylan Hunter while Corey Perry was making waves in the Knights 2005 Memorial Cup run. Not every player from great teams pan out at the next level.
Dvorak’s trade value may very well be as high as it ever will right now. He would be no cheap acquisition for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and I’m fine with passing him by for players currently on the roster or in the system.
On to Tkachuk.
To even suggest drafting him first is nonsense, and imagine how much it would cost the Toronto Maple Leafs to acquire Edmonton’s fourth overall pick to get the big winger. Not cheap, and much too expensive.
Tkachuk is more likely, at this stage, to be a better NHL player than Dvorak, but that still doesn’t justify giving up a lot of assets to acquire him just because he and Marner have OHL chemistry.
Mitch Marner is a dominant hockey player and he has special qualities about his game that place him high above his peers. He makes everyone around him better – including his most recent linemates.
Often when superstars are running the table on their junior leagues their linemates get significant attention. It happened with Perry in London, Crosby in Rimouski and more. Teams drafted those players linemates simply because they looked great lined up next to great talents.
It doesn’t always work out.
This isn’t to say that Dvorak and Tkachuk won’t become excellent NHL players, it’s just that giving up significant assets in a rebuild that’s going right just isn’t a good plan of attack.
Next: Limited Offer Sheet Options
The Toronto Maple Leafs prospect pool is just fine, and better than most in the NHL. They’re building the team the right way, and doing a great job. There’s no need to be swayed by public opinion or rival executives thoughts. The London Knights 2016 team could very well be the best junior team ever – but that doesn’t make all of their players worth selling the farm for.