Toronto Maple Leafs: EIL Weekly Content Round Up

TORONTO, ON- MAY 20 - The Toronto Marlies take to the ice before the game as the Toronto Marlies play the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in game two of the AHL Eastern Conference final in the Calder Cup play-offs at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. May 20, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- MAY 20 - The Toronto Marlies take to the ice before the game as the Toronto Marlies play the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in game two of the AHL Eastern Conference final in the Calder Cup play-offs at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto. May 20, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

It may be the offseason, but the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to drive the conversation.

As such, the team here at Editor in Leaf has been working around the clock to keep you, our loyal readers, updated. With the sheer volume of stories hitting the interwebs each day, some inevitably fall through the cracks.

So, enjoy a collection of some notable pieces from this past week.

Which Wingers Make the Cut?

A new addition to our staff, Jack Anderson chose a heavy-hitting topic for his debut piece. With the Leafs loaded on the wings, which players will end up in the lineup come October?

Read to find out!

“For the second year in a row, the Marlies brought over their 2016 2nd round pick, Carl Grundström. The Swedish winger took to the lineup and added to an already impressive Marlies team. His arrival has also seen the likes of Jeremy Bracco, among others, scratched for the playoffs. Grundström has played 25 AHL games over the past 2 seasons, most of them coming in the playoffs. During the stretch, he posted 17 points and 10 goals.”

Where Does Matt Martin End Up?

Poor Matt Martin.

The guy was brought in to be a contributor and actually put together a decent front half of the season before being chained to the press box. The fact is, Martin just doesn’t have a place in the league anymore, causing the Leafs to likely cut ties in the summer.

Where does he end up? Well, hit the link.

Matt Martin’s type of player isn’t really found in the NHL anymore. Players that just hit and fight are being replaced with younger players who are quick and can rack up points. I’m not saying that Toronto doesn’t want him, but do they really need him?

A big plus side for Martin is that he’s a really big locker room presence for this young Toronto Maple Leafs team. When everyone is clicking off the ice, it usually leads to good things on the ice.”

2018 NHL Mock Draft

It’s draft season, so you know what that means! It’s mock draft time! Alex’s comprehensive mock draft was a labour of love, covering every pick in the first round in two separate instalments.

If you love some hard-hitting draft talk, you’ll love this.

Part One:

“Dahlin is everything a coach could ask for. He’s very, very good offensively, reliable in every zone and he’s an accomplished open ice hitter. He put up 20 points in 41 games as an 18-year-old in Sweden’s top league and he will be a cornerstone defenseman for the Sabres when they draft him. (Yes, when. Not if, when.)”

Part Two:

“With a surplus of talented young defensemen highlighted by Zach Werenski and Seth Jones, the Jackets will be fine on the back end for the foreseeable future. So, in this draft I have them taking a skilled forward in Akil Thomas.

Thomas has spent both of his OHL seasons playing with the Niagara Ice Dogs. In 2017-18, he just finished a very successful campaign, putting up 81 points in 68 games. Thomas has elite vision of the ice in his game to pair with a similar elite passing ability. This is evidenced by 59 of his 81 points being assists.”

And there you have it! Make sure to keep your eyes peeled to EIL, as we’ll continue ramping up our coverage as the draft approaches.

Next: 2018 Mock Draft Part Two

Thanks for reading!