Toronto Maple Leafs: NHL Mock Draft Part 2 – Picks 16-31
The Toronto Maple Leafs are in Vancouver getting ready for the 2019 NHL Entry draft.
The Toronto Maple Leafs won’t be picking until the second round, but that doesn’t mean that we aren’t interested in the draft.
So welcome back to part two of my 2019 NHL Mock Draft.
I dropped a bit of a bomb on you guys last time, picking Kaapo Kakko to go first overall to the New Jersey Devils instead of the consensus number-one pick Jack Hughes. Otherwise, there wasn’t anything too eye-catching about my picks.
Tonight, we’re going to continue the series and go through picks 16-31. Without further ado, let’s kick things off at 16th overall with the Colorado Avalanche.
16. Colorado Avalanche – Victor Soderstrom (D, Brynas IF, SHL)
Going back to last time, I had the Avalanche taking top-ranked defenseman Bowen Byram with the first round pick they received from Ottawa at fourth overall.
Now they’re at their own first rounder at 16th overall, and I have them taking another defenseman.
The saying goes “offence wins games, defence wins championships,” so I applied that logic here and I have the Avs stocking up on the back end in this draft with Victor Soderstrom donning an Avs jersey at 16th overall.
The Swedish right-handed defenseman is another one of those prospects who’s ranked all over the board. Some have him going as high as 10th overall, some have him going as late as 27th.
Taking this into consideration, I met in the middle and had him go at 16th overall. He’s known as a mobile two-way defenseman who has a great first-pass and can carry the puck from end to end.
He put up seven points in 44 games for Brynas IF of the SHL this season, which aren’t at all bad totals if you consider his age and the talent level he was competing against.
If the Avs can manage to add both Byram and Soderstrom in the first round this year, their back end will be loaded for years to come.
17. Vegas Golden Knights – Arthur Kaliyev (LW, Hamilton Bulldogs, OHL)
As the newest team in the NHL, there’s obviously going to be a little bit of pressure on the GM in his first couple of drafts to make a statement with the organization’s first class of draft picks.
George McPhee killed it in 2017, selecting prospects Cody Glass, Erik Brannstrom (traded to acquire Mark Stone), and Nick Suzuki (traded to acquire Max Pacioretty).
They didn’t have a first rounder last year, but after losing in the first round of the playoffs this season, they’re looking to get back into the game and select another top prospect at 17th overall.
This time around, I have them taking sniper Arthur Kaliyev.
Kaliyev impressed in his first OHL season, putting up 31 goals and 48 points through 68 games for the Bulldogs. This season, however, he truly broke out and had an incredible season that saw him score 51 goals and put up 102 points in 67 games.
The first thing you’ll notice looking at these totals is that Kaliyev is a pure goal scorer. He loves putting the puck in the back of the net and he’ll do a good job of showing you that.
With top centre prospect Cody Glass looking to make the NHL as early as next season, the Golden Knights could be on their way to producing a deadly combo if they can get Kaliyev at 17th this year.
18. Dallas Stars – Ryan Suzuki (C, Barrie Colts, OHL)
The Stars made one of their true statement picks back in 2017 when they selected Finnish defenseman Miro Heiskanen at third overall, and their 2018 first rounder in Ty Dellandrea isn’t looking like much of a slouch either. The Stars had a solid playoff run, beating the Nashville Predators in six games before getting eliminated in seven games to the eventual Cup-winning St. Louis Blues to land them a pick at 18th overall. After taking a skilled centre in Dellandrea last year, I have the Stars taking another forward in Ryan Suzuki.
Ryan’s older brother Nick has been receiving most of the attention in the Suzuki family lately as the top prospect for the Montreal Canadiens, but Ryan is no slouch either. The first overall pick in the 2017 OHL Draft broke into the OHL last year and had a solid debut season with 44 points in 64 games. This year, he improved at a significant pace and put up 75 points in 65 games for the Colts.
The Stars have a skilled and still relatively young group of forwards on the team, so adding Suzuki into a mix that already includes Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, and Alex Radulov among others would be a great move for the Stars.
19. Ottawa Senators – Thomas Harley (D, Mississauga Steelheads, OHL)
The Senators gave up their first round pick in a laughable trade that saw them acquire Matt Duchene from the Avalanche, then apparently realized they didn’t enjoy not having a first rounder, and sent Duchene to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a deal that sent back their first round pick.
So while the Senators should be picking fourth this year, instead they’re picking at 19th.
But hey, one first round pick is better than none. And with the 19th overall pick in the draft, I have them taking Syracuse-born defenseman Thomas Harley.
The Senators picked a defenseman named Thomas back in 2015 and so far it’s seemed to work out for them (like, if you consider 55 points in 70 games in his rookie season working out for them).
In all seriousness though, Harley would be a very, very good pick for the Senators if they were to take him at 19th.
The 6’3 192lb left-handed defenseman put up 58 points in 68 games for the Steelheads this season and is known to play a very calm game and read pressure well. He would only bolster the Sens’ defensive core and would without a doubt be a good pick for the Senators should he be available at 19th.
20. Winnipeg Jets – Philip Tomasino (C, Niagara IceDogs, OHL)
The Jets originally traded this first rounder to the New York Rangers when they acquired Kevin Hayes at the trade deadline. They then re-acquired it earlier this week when they sent defenseman Jacob Trouba to the Rangers in exchange for defenseman Neal Pionk and this pick.
They didn’t own a first rounder last season, but in recent years the first round has been very, very good to them.
In 2017 they took Finnish winger Kristian Vesalainen, who could boast a full-time NHL role next season. In 2016 they took Patrik Laine, in 2015 they took Kyle Connor, and in 2014 they took Nikolaj Ehlers.
That should be enough to tell you how the Jets are when it comes to drafting. After skipping the first round last season, I have them redeeming themselves and selecting another skilled forward in Philip Tomasino.
Tomasino is a hard-working centre who isn’t afraid to go into the dirty areas and has great hands and a solid offensive game.
He finished with 72 points in 67 games as well as six points in seven games for Team Canada at the U18 World Juniors. While Tomasino will almost certainly head back to the OHL for at least one more season, he could turn out to be a very good pick for the Jets should they pounce on him at 20th overall.
21. Pittsburgh Penguins – Cam York (D, USNTDP, USHL)
The Pittsburgh Penguins have apparently forgotten what a first round pick is, having not owned one since 2014 when they selected Kasperi Kapanen (who isn’t even with the organization anymore).
The Pens have made a couple of solid later-round picks since then such as Filip Hallander, Calen Addison, and Zachary Lauzon, but despite all of this it would certainly be nice for them to squeeze back into the first round and add a true top prospect to their organization.
Assuming they keep the 21st overall pick, I have them taking a skilled defenseman in Cam York.
York spent this season with the USNTDP and absolutely killed it, putting up 65 points in 63 games for the U18 squad and also putting up 11 points in seven games for the States at the U18 World Juniors. He’s known as a steady offensive defenseman who isn’t a slouch on the back end either, with great hockey sense and a tendency to read the game well.
He’s committed to the University of Michigan for next season and will likely spend a couple of seasons there, but all in all, could become a very solid pick for the Penguins at 21st.
22. Los Angeles Kings – Moritz Seider (D, Adler Mannheim, DEL)
The Kings acquired the 22nd overall pick around the trade deadline when they sent defenseman Jake Muzzin to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Carl Grundstrom, Sean Durzi, and this pick.
I had them taking the Yukon native Dylan Cozens at fifth overall, so this time I’m switching things up and having them take a defenseman. This time, it’s Moritz Seider.
Seider is one of the most interesting names in the draft this year. When you look at him, right away he looks attractive to teams in the sense that he’s a 6’4 right-handed defenseman.
On top of that, he put up six points in 29 games for Adler Mannheim and absolutely killed it at the D1A World Juniors representing Germany, putting up seven points in five games.
He also scored two goals in five games at the World Hockey Championships. It’s been said before that Seider could be as good as a top ten pick if not for the fact that he’s playing in Germany, where you don’t get as much coverage. But one way or another, the Kings could really cash in here if they decide to take Seider.
He’s projecting to eventually be a very solid defenseman at the NHL level and would be a huge add for the Kings.
23. New York Islanders – Samuel Poulin (LW, Sherbrooke Phoenix, QMJHL)
The Islanders have had some solid draft luck over the past few seasons, with first-rounders including Mathew Barzal, Kieffer Bellows, Oliver Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson.
The Isles had an interesting playoff run this season that saw them sweep the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round before getting swept by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Regardless, it was a solid season for them after losing John Tavares and they’ll hope to keep their good fortunes up with a solid pick at 23rd. With that said, I have them taking Samuel Poulin.
The QMJHL hasn’t been making much of a statement in this year’s first round, but Poulin is a solid name to represent the league. Being named alternate captain at age 17 is a pretty big accomplishment, and he had a great season offensively as well that saw him register 76 points in 67 games.
He’s got good size at 6’2 and 207lbs and doesn’t lack in any department offensively. He will likely remain in the Q for at least one more season, but if all goes according to plan he could join a talented young forward core on Long Island.
24. Nashville Predators – Yegor Afanasayev (LW, Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL)
The Predators essentially left their prospect pool in the dark last season considering they didn’t have any draft picks until the fourth round, but are looking to redeem themselves this year with their first-round pick.
Their playoff run saw a disappointing finish after getting eliminated in the first round at the hands of the Dallas Stars, so hopefully, for their sake, they can shed some light on the situation with a good pick at 24th overall. In this case, I have them taking Russian winger Yegor Afanasayev.
With the way scouts have ranked Afanasayev, he could go as early as 20th overall or as late as mid-second round. The draft always features a couple of off-the-board picks in the first round, and this could be one of them.
Afanasayev spent this season playing away from his homeland in the USHL and had a solid campaign for the Muskegon Lumberjacks, putting up 62 points in 58 games.
He’s committed to play for the Windsor Spitfires next year, so it will be interesting to watch his development and see if he can make a name for himself in the Predators’ organization.
25th Overall – Washington Capitals – Connor McMichael (C, London Knights, OHL)
Last season was a fairytale year for the Capitals, winning their first Stanley Cup led by Alex Ovechkin, who likely drank more over three days than most people do in a year.
They didn’t see the same success this season, getting eliminated in the first round at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes, but it’s hard to feel bad for them after the finish they had in 2017-18. With that said, they have a chance to make a solid pick at 25th overall and I think they’re going to go with Connor McMichael.
McMichael is playing for the NHL talent powerhouse in London and plays the game of a solid two-way forward with great hockey sense and puck handling skills.
He really stepped it up this season and put up 72 points over 67 games. He struggled with consistency over the course of the season but that’s something that could be fixed with experience.
The Washington Capitals could have themselves a good prospect in McMichael should they choose him when they’re on the clock.
26. Calgary Flames – Matthew Robertson (D, Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL)
Like the Predators, the Flames saw a great regular season come to a disappointing finish after they were eliminated at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche in the first round.
Also, like the Predators, the Flames didn’t have any draft picks until the fourth round last year and they’re hoping to make up for it by cashing in with a solid first rounder this year.
In this case, I believe they’re gonna boost their back end and go with Matthew Robertson.
Robertson spent this season as the Edmonton Oil Kings’ alternate captain and put up 33 points in 52 games as well as eight points in 16 playoff games too. His offensive totals aren’t jaw-dropping, but he does come with good size at 6’4 and 201lbs and he plays a very responsible defensive game.
Like many other late-first round prospects, he’s been ranked as early as mid-first round and as late as mid-second round, so at this point it’s unknown where he’ll go.
But with this being said, the Flames would wise to bolster their back end even further with their forward core already being set more or less, and Robertson could be their guy.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning – Patrick Puistola (LW, Tappara, SM-Liiga)
The Lightning had arguably the most disappointing end to the season of any NHL team.
A season that saw them win the President’s Trophy by a landslide, only to be swept in the first round by the wildcard Columbus Blue Jackets. Yeah, it was that bad.
After selecting a solid defensive prospect in 2017 in Cal Foote, the Lightning went last year without a first round pick and now have a chance to add another big name to their prospect pool. And I have them taking a bold pick at 27th overall this year.
I know I’ve sounded like a broken record talking about prospects being ranked all over the place, but Patrick Puistola might have the widest range in terms of where he could go.
He’s been ranked as high as 19th overall and as low as 73rd overall, so he could go anywhere between the first round and the third round.
The 6’0 left winger spent this season playing in all of Finland’s three major leagues, spending most of it with Tappara’s J20 team where he registered 22 points in 25 games.
He could be a potentially high reward pick should the Bolts grab him at 27th overall.
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.
29. Anaheim Ducks – Lassi Thomson (D, Kelowna Rockets, WHL)
The Anaheim Ducks’ second first-round pick originally belonged to the San Jose Sharks until they traded it to the Buffalo Sabres in the trade that sent Evander Kane to Buffalo.
Later, the Ducks would trade defenseman Brandon Montour to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for this pick. Earlier in my mock draft, I had the Ducks take a skilled forward in Trevor Zegras.
I’m going to switch things up a little bit and have them take a defenseman in Lassi Thomson.
Thomson is a 6’0 right-handed Finnish defenseman playing for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL. He’s been described as a very good puck handler who excels at breakouts both with his wheels and a strong first pass.
After playing in his homeland Finland for his whole career, he spent this season playing for Kelowna and put up 41 points in 63 games. He’s committed to play for Ilves of the SM-Liiga back home, and could be a solid pick for the Ducks should they take him at 29th.
QUEBEC CITY, QC – NOVEMBER 20: Jakob Pelletier #11 of the Moncton Wildcats celebrates his goal against the Quebec Remparts during their QMJHL hockey game at the Videotron Center on November 20, 2018 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Images)
30. Boston Bruins – Jakob Pelletier (LW, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL)
The Bruins had an all-around solid season from start to finish, going to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing in seven games to the St. Louis Blues. They didn’t own a first-round pick last season, selecting Axel Andersson with their second-round pick, but as of now are geared up to climb the stage once again.
This time around, I have them taking a small, skilled forward in Jakob Pelletier.
The Bruins have always had the narrative of a big, mean, physical team. But the game is changing, and at some point, teams have to adapt. With this being said, I think Pelletier is the guy the Bruins go with.
He’s far from the biggest guy on the ice at only 5’9 and 161lbs, but overall he’s a juggernaut offensively and doesn’t lack in any aspect to his offensive game, whether it’s goal scoring, playmaking, or all-around offensive instincts.
He put up 89 points in 65 games for the Moncton Wildcats this season and could be a wise pick for the Bruins if he’s on the board at 30th overall.
31. Buffalo Sabres – Nils Hoglander (LW, Rogle BK, SHL)
The Sabres have two first-round picks to work with this season, with this one having been acquired from the Stanley Cup-winning St. Louis Blues as a result of a trade that sent Conn Smythe winner Ryan O’Reilly to the Blues.
I had them take a skilled centre in Kirby Dach at seventh overall, and I have them going back to the skill front with their second pick by taking Nils Hoglander.
Hoglander spent this season playing for Rogle BK of the SHL and put up 14 points through 50 games.
When you consider the fact that Hoglander is 18 and playing against men, these are impressive totals for the Swedish winger.
The Sabres have lots of talent on the offensive front including the likes of Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and Casey Mittelstadt, and adding Dach and Hoglander into the mix would be nothing but beneficial for them.
Next. Mitch Marner is Not Different. dark
With that, I’ve officially wrapped up my first and only mock draft this season. A lot can happen at the draft between trades and off the board picks, but it’s fun to predict who goes where anyways. It was a lot of fun for me to write and I hope it was as fun for you all to read. Enjoy the draft, everyone.