Toronto Maple Leafs: NHL Mock Draft Part 2 – Picks 16-31
By Alex Hobson
![DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: A general view of the first thirty-one selections are shown on the board after the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: A general view of the first thirty-one selections are shown on the board after the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b845b10542d3adb2f4639ba2f375934e1fa456648d4d58a949335b87084ee2fc.jpg)
28. Carolina Hurricanes – Brett Leason (RW, Prince Albert Raiders, WHL)
The Carolina Hurricanes had a bit of a Cinderella story this season. They reached the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and had a great run to go along with it, making it to the conference finals before being defeated at the hands of the Boston Bruins.
Regardless, it was a season to remember for the Hurricanes and their fans and as a result, they find themselves in unfamiliar territory with a late first round pick.
Sitting at 28th overall, I have the Canes taking Brett Leason. Leason is a very interesting pick in this year’s draft class. While the majority of the players are either 2001 or 2000 born, Leason was born in 1999 and realistically could only head back to the OHL for one more year before he makes the pros.
Granted, Leason worked hard to get to this point and proved it with an absolutely incredible difference between this season and last season. Last year, he put up 32 points in 54 games.
This year, he decided 32 wasn’t enough and added an extra 57 points to his resume, finishing the year with 89 points in 55 games for the Prince Albert Raiders. He also represented Canada at the World Juniors and put up five points over five games.
Based on the complete turnaround of his game, he has a chance to do big things in the pros and the Hurricanes could very well capitalize on the chance to pick him at 28th.