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Toronto Maple Leafs: 2019 NHL Mock Draft Part 1 – Picks 1-15

By Alex Hobson

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) /
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VANCOUVER , BC – JANUARY 5: Vasili Podkolzin #11 of Russia skates against Switzerland during a bronze medal game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at Rogers Arena on January 5, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER , BC – JANUARY 5: Vasili Podkolzin #11 of Russia skates against Switzerland during a bronze medal game at the IIHF World Junior Championships at Rogers Arena on January 5, 2019 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

6. Detroit Red Wings – Vasili Podkolzin (RW, SKA St. Petersburg, KHL)

The Red Wings were cheering in the streets last season when consensus top three pick Filip Zadina slipped down to sixth overall, but I’m not about to pretend that Hughes or Kakko will fall to sixth this season.

With that, I have a feeling that the Wings could end up with a very solid forward in Vasili Podkolzin instead.

According to many scouts and experts, the Moskva native has every quality that you would want in a winger.

He’s an offensive juggernaut, plays a solid defensive game, and also has an edge to his game and good discipline to compliment it.

He essentially split this season between Russia’s three major leagues in the KHL, VHL, and MHL, and will likely remain in a development stage for a few more years before making the NHL, but the prize should be well worth it in the end for the Wings if it plays out like this.

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