Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Thoughts on the Draft

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Rasmus Sandin poses after being selected twenty-ninth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Rasmus Sandin poses after being selected twenty-ninth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: A general view of the Toronto Maple Leaf draft table is seen during the second day of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 23: A general view of the Toronto Maple Leaf draft table is seen during the second day of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 23, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

The 2018 NHL Entry Draft has ended and the Toronto Maple Leafs have made their picks.

Considering that these kids are roughly 4 years away from even sniffing the NHL, it’s tough to judge them too harshly at this moment. We’ve all seen shaky-looking picks flourish into superstars throughout their development countless times. Just look at Andreas Johnsson, former seventh-round pick. The guy was an afterthought in 2013 and is now a potential top-six forward in one of the league’s most potent offensive attacks.

It’s not an uncommon occurrence.

Still, this is a hockey website and therefore judgements must be made. This week, I tasked the EIL Staff with answering the question:

How do you feel about the Leafs’ performance in the draft? 

Did you expect a trade? Different selections? Anything, really.

The answers may, in fact, shock you.