Toronto Maple Leafs: Editor in Leaf Monday Mailbag

It’s time to answer your Toronto Maple Leafs questions of the week.

Surprisingly so (immense sarcasm), this week’s mailbag mainly centers around who the Toronto Maple Leafs drafted at the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

Yes, we all know the big story.

Timothy Liljegren is the steal of the draft, possibly of the century.

Okay, maybe that was a bit much.

I really just wanted to reference the fact that the Leafs picked up a very talented high-end right handed defensive prospect.

Almost immediately, their prospect pool went from good to great and that’s with balancing in the departure of Brendan Leipsic as well.

Anyways, I’m getting off-topic, so let’s jump right to the questions and answers.

Timothy Liljegren

More from Editor In Leaf

Andrew, keeping in mind that Liljegren was projected to be in the part of the draft where players often jump directly into the NHL, do you see him in Toronto next year?

– Gus

That’s a tough group to be a part of.

I mean, do you think that Nico Hischier or Nolan Patrick are right ready to make the leap?

In past years we’ve had the benefit of seeing players like Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine, to name a few, who were ready right out of the gate.

However, that’s often not the case.

Usually, it’s one or two from a draft that comes NHL ready and this year, I just don’t see any of them serving in that capacity.

That includes Liljegren who will either head back to Sweden or play for the Toronto Marlies next year.

So I guess to answer your question, ya, Liljegren may end up in Toronto next year, just not with the Leafs.

Draft Depth

Aside from Liljegren, are any other of the Leafs draft picks worth taking a look at?

– Anonymous

Yes, they were all drafted for a reason and why is this person anonymous?

I literally saw their name on Twitter when they message me, but they wrote, anonymous at the end, like a signature.

Very, very confused.

I guess they didn’t wany their name attached to this?

I just don’t know anymore.

Anyways, you’re definitely not going to get major hype for players late in the first round and beyond, otherwise they would have been taken earlier.

Naturally, we don’t go crazy for those draft picks right away.

Two plus years from now, we may look back and be quite happy with the end result.

One notable player that was drafted very late and has had a fantastic career is Henrik Lundqvist.

Keep an eye on the picks, especially the defensive ones because that’s where there’s room for Leafs prospects to move up right now.

Purposed Trade

Do you think the proposed trade you wrote about from the Toronto Sun involving JVR for Hamonic was a good deal for the Leafs?

– Larry

No, not at all.

Just picture Michael Scott right now screaming, no.

Yes, that’s how I feel.

Let’s do that same package, James van Riemsdyk and a 2018 first round pick for a Tyson Barrie type guy.

Then it’s okay, but not for Travis Hamonic.

The Calgary Flames are in a win now mentality, so that trade kind of makes sense for them, but the Leafs aren’t there yet.

Thanks and Next Week

Thank you for the questions sent in this week.

Please keep sending them in to Twitter or by email, acboehmer@liberty.edu and I look forward to our next mailbag on Monday, July 3, 2017.

Next: Top Five Free Agent Defenders

I can’t believe it’s almost July, wow.

Also, remember that Saturday is free agency day and Canada Day, so enjoy it.

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