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Toronto Maple Leafs Should Use a High Pick on Sean Durzi

By D.J. Llewellyn

LONDON, ON - FEBRUARY 5: Sean Durzi #5 of the Owen Sound Attack skates with the puck against the London Knights during an OHL game at Budweiser Gardens on February 5, 2016 in London, Ontario, Canada. The Knights defeated the Attack 5-0. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
LONDON, ON - FEBRUARY 5: Sean Durzi #5 of the Owen Sound Attack skates with the puck against the London Knights during an OHL game at Budweiser Gardens on February 5, 2016 in London, Ontario, Canada. The Knights defeated the Attack 5-0. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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In the upcoming draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs should target Sean Durzi fo the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack.

Sean Durzi is a right handed defenseman available this summer in the Draft and the Toronto Maple Leafs should consider using a high pick in order to add him to their organization.

Durzi is an overage player for the Owen Sound Attack whose calling card is offense from the blue line. The Leafs may already be deep in puck moving defenseman on the left side, but on the right, outside of top prospect Timothy Liljegren, the depth is terrible.

At 6’0 190lbs, Durzi isn’t a huge guy but isn’t small either. No one should care about that though, if he’s got talent, and he does.  He’s not a bruiser and he’s not mean. He could certainly get stronger and be tougher to play against along the boards. Sound familiar?

What he is is a puck carrier with lots of speed and awareness on the ice. Durzi excels at getting the puck out of his own zone either with a quick pass or skating it out himself– something this organization needs in the pipeline. I’m still having nightmares of an overused Ron Hainsey. And no organization can have too many puck moving defensive prospects.

Outlook

Durzi’s offensive production this past season was excellent, scoring 49 points (including 15 goals) in just 40 games and 16 points in 11 playoff games. A point per game defenseman, even in junior, is a rare thing.  His strong lateral movement and puck skills keep the puck in the offensive end. Combined with his quick breakouts, Durzi is a constant scoring threat whether he shoots the puck himself or passes to other players.

Durzi is likely a second round pick due to his warts. He hasn’t played a full OHL season though he doesn’t have any lingering health issues. He’s also older than his peers and like other offensive defensemen, sometimes takes unnecessary risks to make plays. It will take time for him to adjust in the minors.  His size and the fact that he’s an overager should allow him to drop to a point in the draft where the potential reward is worth the risk. Some  NHL teams still overrate size and under-appreciate a late-bloomer.

The brighter side here is that the Leafs can use a player with this skill set. Durzi is ready for pro hockey and have a bit of an inside track on him. Dubas gave him an invite to the Leafs development camp last summer.

Next: Is Mac Back?

If the Toronto Maple Leafs decide to trade back for more picks, I’d say Durzi is definitely worth taking a gamble on with their late first round or second round pick. He won’t be on the board for very long.

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