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Toronto Maple Leafs: 2018 NHL Mock Draft – Picks 16-31

By Alex Hobson

SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 26: Kyle Dubas Assistant General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs talks on the phone as President Brendan Shanahan looks on during the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB
SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 26: Kyle Dubas Assistant General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs talks on the phone as President Brendan Shanahan looks on during the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB /
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CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 23: The Toronto Maple Leafs select defenseman Timothy Liljegren with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft on June 23, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 23: The Toronto Maple Leafs select defenseman Timothy Liljegren with the 17th pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft on June 23, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

25th Overall – Toronto Maple Leafs: K’Andre Miller (D, USNTDP, USHL)

The Leafs are absolutely loaded on offense. There’s no question about that.

The back end is a different story, however. They’ve started to shift their attention to defensemen lately, taking Liljegren in the 2017 draft. And, if all goes well, they could definitely end up with a player like K’Andre Miller here.

That, my friends, would be great.

Miller possesses good size for his age, standing at 6’4 and 205lbs. This season, the hulking defenceman put up 29 points in 58 games for the US National U18 team. He’s been compared to Seth Jones in terms of his playstyle, and if the Miller could pan out to be even half of what Jones is, it will have been a good pick.

Miller is committed to the University of Wisconsin for next season where he’ll join fellow Leafs D prospect J.D. Greenway.

It may be worrying to see the Leafs pick a tall, heavy defenceman. Those picks tend to struggle to keep up with the NHL pace of play. Although, Miller is different. He combines his height with offensive ability and puck movement. If those skills can translate to the NHL, the Leafs will continue to shore up their weakest positional group on the roster.

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