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5 Long-Shot NHL Prospects that the Toronto Maple Leafs Should Acquire

By Jeff Borsuk

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: A general view of the Toronto Maple Leafs draft table is seen during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: A general view of the Toronto Maple Leafs draft table is seen during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin Light/Getty Images) /

Erik Portillo

Born: September 3, 2000
Height: 6’6″
Position: Goaltender
Birthplace: Göteborg, Sweden
Catches: Left
Draft: 2019 BUF, 3rd round, 5th pick (67th overall)

Erik Portillo has the potential to have been the steal of the 2019 draft but he is far from becoming a household name for many years. He is a tall Swedish goaltender who wasn’t included in the NHL Central Scouting Rankings because he didn’t rank in the top 12 for European goalies.

Portillo posted 1.99 goals against average and a .931 save percentage playing for Frölunda Under 20 in the Swedish SuperElit league. He is an interesting prospect for multiple reasons. Primarily because of his size and movement. Despite his imposing height, he has better agility and athleticism than most other big keepers.

The Toronto Maple Leafs should be interested because Portillo will be a mature player when he’s ready to make the jump to the pros as he is on track for a drawn-out development. Portillo will spend next season playing for Dubuque of the USHL. He will then continue his career in the NCAA while studying at Michigan University.

This should mean a total of five years before he’s available to play in the NHL. The extra developmental time without the same pressures of living up to a pro contract should work in Portillo’s favour.

Since he was drafted by the Buffalo Sabers, who are already stacked with goaltending prospects, it should make the price of a trade extremely affordable. There are no guarantees that Portillo becomes a valuable player or even plays in the NHL, but if the price is right, it’s worth the risk.

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