52nd Overall – Jakub Lauko
High – 29th (Kournianos)
Low – Unranked (Kennedy)
Coming in at 52 on the consolidated list, Jakub Lauko is another player that has split scouts. Ranked from the first round all the way to the fourth, Lauko plays for Pirati Chomutov in the Czech League.
Playing in a men’s league is a noteworthy achievement for a draft-eligible prospect, and Lauko did it as the youngest regular in his league. Appearing in 42 games, Lauko scored nine points for Chomutov in his second season with the top club.
Similarly to Berggren, Lauko scored at an impressive rate internationally. He played at the World Juniors as a depth player for the Czech Republic, where he scored one point in six games, but his most impressive performance came at the U18s.
#U18: Draft prospect goal-of-the-year entry right here as C Jakub Lauko (Ranked No. 52) wires one home after slicing through heavy traffic.
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) November 10, 2017
This was a 1-on-5, by the way. pic.twitter.com/M70D7DJYU2
Lauko led the Czechs in scoring with six points in seven games at the tournament, cementing his placement within the second round for most outlets. Listed at 6-foot, 179 pounds, Lauko projects as a centre, a position of need for the Maple Leafs.
Adding to Lauko’s draft value is his defensive play. He is a solid player in his own zone already, and will only get better with the strength that comes with ageing. His responsibility in the defensive end has helped him gain opportunity as a bottom six player, as evident in his 70 career games in the Czech League and World Juniors appearance.
While Toronto doesn’t pick up a defender in the first two rounds of the consolidated draft, Lauko is another quality prospect that has talent which should put him higher than the slot he comes in at.
Sources: Kerr, Last Word on Hockey; EliteProspects