Toronto Maple Leafs: 1st Rounders Through the Years vol. 4

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Auston Matthews poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number one overall draft pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Auston Matthews poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number one overall draft pick by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
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TORONTO, ON – FEBRUARY 10: Mitchell MarnerTo Recap:

2010: #2 Traded (Tyler Seguin)

2010: #43 2nd round Bradd Ross

2011: #9 Traded (Dougie Hamilton)Visit Site

2011: #22 Tyler Biggs

2011 #25 Stuart Percy

2012: #5 Morgan Rielly

2013:  #23 Frederick Gauthier

2014:  #8 William Nylander

2015:  #4 Mitch Marner

2016:  #1 Auston Matthews

2007:  #17  ???

It is time to put the past drafts what-ifs and the coulda, shoulda, woulda’s to bed. The Leafs core of Matthews, Marner, and Nylander is as talented a top three as any in the NHL. Add Rielly and Kadri to the mix, and the Leafs have a core of five young stars, drafted and developed within the organization.

It has been 32 years since the Leafs called Wendel Clark’s name as the 1st overall pick. The time for celebrating will come soon. Shanahan and his management group have finally got it right.