Fansided

The Toronto Maple Leafs and the 2017 Entry Draft

By James Tanner |
Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock (C) and players salute the fans after losing the series to the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock (C) and players salute the fans after losing the series to the Washington Capitals in game six of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. The Capitals beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be picking 17th this year.

The NHL Entry Draft is June 24 (first round) and June 25th (all subsequent rounds).  This year it is being held in Chicago. While this year’ s draft won’t be as great as last year’s was for the Toronto Maple Leafs (how could it top getting Auston Matthews) the intrigue and the trades make it worth following even if you don’t have a top ten pick.

And, there is a positive to picking low: it means they made the Playoffs.

This year’s top prospect is forward Nolan Patrick of the Brandon Wheat Kings.  The draft lottery was held and the top pick will go to the Devils, followed by the Flyers and Stars.  The Leafs, as mentioned, will pick 17th.

While it’s silly to guess what players we’ve likely never heard of or seen play will be available to the Leafs at that pick, there is still quite a bit to cover.

More from Editor In Leaf

A lot of people keep pointing to the Leafs need for defense or centres (though you could make either Marner or Nylander a centre if you wanted to) and then suggest guys they’d like to target.

Personally, I think you have to draft the best player available.  Even if that player plays a position you’re strong at, you never know what you’re going to need once he’s ready for the NHL anyways, so it’s kind of short-sighted to pick a defenseman no matter what.

Toronto Maple Leafs and the Draft

At 17 the odds of picking someone who can step directly into the NHL next year a almost non-existant.  (Though last year the Coyotes did select Jacob Chychrun 15th, and he played in the NHL right away, so anything can  happen).

In the second round, the Leafs will not be picking 48th because they traded their second round pick to Tampa for Brian Boyle.  Considering the Leafs and Tampa finished one point apart and Tampa did not make the Playoffs, I’d say this was a pretty good trade by the Leafs.

That said, fret not because the Leafs also have the Sharks’ second round pick from the Polak trade last year. (Funny how Polak got traded to the Sharks, re-signed with the Leafs and is now an un-restricted free agent before the Leafs even get paid for trading him in the first place).

The Sharks’ pick will be 50th overall.

There is also a small chance they get the Ducks’ second round pick from the Bernier deal, but Bernier would have to start half the games for the Ducks and they’d have to win the Stanley Cup, which I don’t think either thing is going to happen.

So the Leafs have a first and a second round pick.  Their third round pick might go to the Devils for hiring Lamoriello, but they’ve picked another one up.  So far, to my knowledge at least, and pending conditions being met, the Leafs have at least one pick in every round.

I hope they get more!

Home / Editorials