Toronto Maple Leafs 2010 Draft: Where Are They Now?
Under the bright lights of the Staples Centre, The Toronto Maple Leafs called the names of seven players in hopes of building a solid core for the future.
Just over nine years, and a whole lot of disappointment later, we take a look at those prospects and where they went from that summer day in 2010.
This will be the first of six ‘Where Are They Now’ posts, as I will take a look at the Leafs drafts through 2015, so make sure to follow along!
Round 2 Pick 43 – LW Brad Ross
With the 43rd pick of the 2010 NHL entry draft, the Leafs selected forward Brad Ross from the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL.
Ross had put up an impressive 27-goals and 68-points in 71 games his draft year, and was described as the following, via Erik K. Piri of Elite Prospects
“[Ross is a] tough winger, [the] kind of player who can really get under your skin as an opponent. [Ross] plays with a lot of energy and loves to hit. [He also] owns some offensive instincts” -Erik K. Piri, Elite Prospects 2012
So, Ross is a feisty winger that puts up numbers, nothing wrong with that. In fact, a similarly skilled player was selected 104 spots later, his name was Brendan Gallagher, but he never turned out really.
Nevermind that, Ross will be a star, his production in Portland will only rise. Rise it did, as Ross posted a solid 151 points in his final 2 seasons in the WHL (135 games). Which earned him his ELC with the Leafs in 2012.
Ross, who was at this point 20 years old, was ready to blossom with a championship calibre Marlies squad. Unfortunately, that never exactly happened. Ross would fail to produce consistently (11 points in 40 AHL games), and would even be loaned to the ECHL (3 points in 5 games).
The 2013-14 season was a similar story, as Ross posted a less-than-ideal 10 points in 53 AHL games. Ross would once again see ECHL time but would fail to produce there, too (1 point in 6 ECHL games).
The next season, a 22-year-old Ross would again struggle to produce in the AHL, with a measly 8 points in 32 games. However, he would dominate at the ECHL level, scoring at above a point-per-game (11 points in 10 games).
At the end of the 2014-15 season, Ross was traded to the Edmonton Oilers for another middling prospect Martin Marincin.
Ross decided to head to Europe over Edmonton and signed with the Iserlohn Roosters of the DEL.
During his 2 years with the Roosters, Ross would score 18 points and a complimentary 219 penalty minutes in 74 games.
To start the 2017-18 season, Ross, then 25, signed with the Helibronner Falken of the DEL2 league. The Edmonton native had a far more successful run in this 2nd-tier DEL, as he posted a solid 48 points in 100 games over 2 years.
Ross, now 27, has signed with the Fort Wayne Komets of the ECHL for the 2019-20 season as he looks to make a successful return to North America.
Round 3 Pick 62 – F Greg McKegg
With the 62nd pick in the 2010 NHL draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs Leafs selected forward Greg McKegg from the Erie Otters of the OHL.
A very versatile player, McKegg produced really well for the Otters that season, posting 85 points in 67 games.
This bio, from the fine people at Sports Forecaster, perfectly describes what made/makes McKegg so successful.
“[Mckegg possesses] plenty of offensive instincts and is a very good playmaker at lower levels. [He] is versatile and displays some two-way ability, as well. [However, McKegg] does not have the ideal size for the [NHL] game, so [he must bulk up] in order to maximize output.”
A dependable player, McKegg was a consistent producer for the Otters and the London Knights throughout his OHL career, as the St. Thomas native posted 270 points in 262 OHL games. During his 4-year run in the league, McKegg wore the C for the Erie Otters and was a key contributor on the 2012 London Knights championship roster.
During his storied OHL career, McKegg also happened to sign his ELC with the Leafs in 2012.
Unlike Ross, McKegg produced fairly well in the AHL, as he scored 23 points in 62 games a rookie in 2012-13.
The following season, McKegg progressed well, scoring 47 points in 62 games with the Marlies and even appeared in 1 game with the Leafs.
The 2014-15 season saw slight regression from the 22-year-old McKegg, as the forward scored 10 fewer points (37) in the same amount of games, but McKegg did appear in 3 games for the Leafs.
Despite being a decent prospect, McKegg was moved for…a better prospect and A DRAFT PICK?!?! In an unexpectedly un-Leafs move, McKegg was traded to the Florida Panthers for NCAA prospect Zach Hyman and a conditional 7th round pick.
Florida would become the land of opportunity for McKegg, as the Canadian forward would see significant NHL time, as well as an elevated role in the AHL.
After nearly 2 years in the Panthers organization, McKegg would appear in 46 NHL games, scoring 8 points. Additionally, the former 3rd round pick would score 27 points in 54 AHL games.
Half-way through the 2016-17 season, McKegg would be on the move to his third NHL team, but this time he wouldn’t be going far.
Just following the 2017 trade deadline, McKegg was claimed off of waivers by the Tampa Bay Lightning, whom he would play 15 games for.
At the end of that season, Mckegg, 25 at the time, would enter free agency for the first time in his career. However, he wouldn’t have to wait long for an offer, as he signed a 1-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1st.
After 26 NHL games (4 points) and 28 AHL games (12 points) with the Penguins, McKegg would once again be on the move, this time to Carolina.
At the 2018 trade deadline, McKegg was sent to the Hurricanes for fellow fringe NHL-player Josh Jooris.
McKegg exploded upon arriving in Carolina, as he scored 23 points in 19 AHL games. McKegg’s impressive run encouraged the Canes to extend the 26-year-old. So, in July 2018, McKegg was awarded a 1-year contract extension.
This past season was a bit of a breakout for McKegg, as he set a career-high in NHL games-played (41), goals (6), and points (11).
McKegg will look to expand on a solid NHL stint last season, as the 27-year-old looks to compete for a full-time spot on the New York Rangers, who he signed with on July 1st.
Round 3 pick 79 – F Sondre Olden
With the 79th overall pick in the 2010 NHL entry draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected winger Sondre Olden out of Sweden.
Olden was yet another excellent producer heading into the draft. the Norwegian forward scored an unbelievable 26 points in 8 games with MODO Hockey’s under-18 Elit program, then 13 points in 16 games with the under-18 Allsvenskan program, and 27 points in 32 games in the under-20 SuperElit program (56 PTS/46 GP w/ MODO).
This insane production was due in large part to Olden’s impressive play-style, which is highlighted in this bio from the Elite Prospects team
“[Olden is a] lanky and offensively skilled forward with surprisingly quick feet. [He] is a creative player with good hockey sense and strong technical skills. [He is a] pretty productive player [that thrives on the powerplay], but will also contribute defensively. [However, he is also inconsistent].”
Olden seemed like a legitimate prospect with lots of upside, and is reminiscent of what, I personally believe, an ideal late-round selection to be.
A speedy forward who is versatile on both ends of the ice who loves to rack up points, who wouldn’t want that?
Honestly, I expected that I would be bashing every pick the Leafs made, but the Sondre Olden pick is a legitimate good selection. Bravo 2010 Leafs Front Office and Scouting department, you did a good!
That being said, Olden didn’t exactly turn out for the Leafs, because he didn’t sign with them, or any North American team for that matter. Olden did give America a shot though, as he played the 2011-12 season for the Erie Otters (captained by Greg McKegg), and was fairly productive with them as well, posting a solid 32 points in 48 games.
Olden understandably preferred playing in Europe, where he’s spent his entire career since his OHL stint.
From 2012-2015, Olden played for Valerenga of his native Norway, where he scored 102 points in 95 games.
On two separate occasions, in 2015 & 2016, Olden got an opportunity to play for Brynas IF of the SHL, where he struggled, scoring a mere 11 points in 57 games with the Swedish club. His third chance in the SHL came with Leksands IF in the 2016-17 season. During his time with the team, the speedy winger struggled to find his game, once again disappointing with just 7 points in 47 games.
Since then, Olden has moved on to the EBEL, where he has picked up his dominant form he showed early in his career. In two seasons, Olden has racked up 95 points in 90 games.
Olden, who is currently 26, is set to play for the Vienna Capitals of the EBEL next season.
Round 4 Pick 116 – D Petter Granberg
with the 116th overall selection of the 2010 entry draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected defender Petter Granberg out of Sweden.
Granberg, much like Olden, played through the tiered Swedish Junior leagues.
Granberg went mainly unnoticed during his time for the Skellefta AIK under-18 teams, as he had just a single assist in 6 games. However, his time in the more difficult under-20 program was far more impressive, as the big-bodied defender posted 9 points in 40 games. Granberg also appeared in 1 SHL game during his draft year.
This bio, a 2014 entry from the Elite Prospects team, provides a good idea of Granberg’s play style.
“[Granberg’s a] big and strong stay-at-home defensemen. Granberg plays very solid defensive game and rarely gets caught out of position. He plays a simple and safe game with the puck. [He does] not shy away from the rough stuff, but could probably play more physical. Hockey sense is decent, but Granberg will never be a high scoring defenseman.”
After completing two more seasons with Skelleftea AIK, Granberg would sign his ELC with the Leafs at 19 years of age. The Swedish defender would take a 16-game victory lap for the historic Swedish club in 2012-13 before making the jump to North America in 2013-14.
Granberg would perform relatively well in 73 games for the Marlies, scoring 7 points in the process. The physical defender would also appear in 1 game for the Leafs that season.
The 2014-15 season would see Granberg take a considerable step forward in development, posting 15 points in 53 AHL games and appearing in 7 NHL games with the Leafs.
All was looking up for Granberg entering the 2015-16 season, as the then 23-year-old looked to be on the cusp of making a defensively deprived Maple Leafs squad. However, his window quickly shut and re-opened, after Granberg was claimed off of waivers by the Nashville Predators.
Much like Greg McKegg, Granberg would see significant NHL time and elevated opportunity once moving on from Toronto.
The powerful Swede would appear in 27 games with the Preds, adding 2 assists. Granberg would also appear in 6 games with the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville’s AHL affiliate, notching 1 assist.
The next season, Granberg would find himself playing significant time for the Admirals, scoring 6 points in 50 games. Granberg would also sneak in 10 NHL games with the Preds, but went scoreless.
Granberg would spend the entire 2017-18 season in the AHL, scoring 14 points in 76 games with the Admirals.
However, Granberg knew his opportunity in the Preds organization was over, so he decided to head home. Granberg decided to return to Skelleftea AIK for the 2018-19 season, scoring 7 points in 49 SHL games.
The fan favourite is set to play out the 2019-20 season in the SHL with Skelleftea.
Round 5 Pick 144 – F Sam Carrick
With the 144th pick of the 2010 NHL Entry draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Canadian centreman Sam Carrick.
The Leafs, rightly, took a flyer on Sam Carrick in the 5th round. The Ontario native was a big-name producer for the then Brampton Battalion, scoring 169 points over his 254 game OHL career.
After finishing his tour of duty in the OHL, Carrick signed his ELC with the Leafs in 2012.
He would see significant time in the ECHL, scoring 37 points in 50 games, with a 19 game-4 point stint in the AHL.
Carrick would then emerge as a key contributor for the Marlies, scoring 35 points in 62 AHL games during the 2013-14 season.
Carrick’s solid numbers allowed him to get a prolonged, but rather unsuccessful, 16 game stint with the Leafs (2 points) the next season. Carrick would find his scoring upon being sent down, as he posted 27 points in 58 AHL games to end the 2014-15 season.
Somewhat surprisingly, Carrick would return to the Leafs on a 1-year contract. He would once again see NHL time, although in a limited 3-game tryout. The centreman would continue to score well at the AHL level, posting 34 points in 52 games.
Following the 2015-16 season, Carrick would move on from the Leafs organization, joining the Blackhawks on a 1-year deal.
From there, Carrick would be moved to Anaheim, while continuing to score (80 points in 139 AHL games)
This past season, his second full year in the Ducks organization, the 27-year-old scored 61 points in 61 AHL games, and added 1 assist in 6 NHL games with Anaheim.
Carrick should play out the 2019-20 season with the San Diego Gulls (Anaheim’s AHL affiliate) after he re-signed with the organization in June.
Round 5 Pick 146 – F Daniel Brodin
With the 146th overall pick in the 2010 draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected RW Daniel Brodin from Sweden.
This pick is confusing to say the absolute least. Brodin was an overage winger in Sweden who had underwhelming production in his D+2 year.
The report from Elite Prospects reads as the following:
“Brodin plays with plenty of intensity. [He] has good speed, drives the net, is willing to shoot the puck and plays the body. Has an edge to his game and is a valuable player for any team.”
So, he had the tools I guess? I mean typically, you’d expect the tools to be accompanied with a decent stat line but there just simply isn’t for Brodin.
The Swede split his D+2 year between Djurgardens IF of the SHL and the club’s under-20 program, scoring a mere 12 points in 50 total games with the organization.
Understandably, Brodin would stay in Europe for his entire career, bouncing between the SHL (Sweden) and Liiga (Finland).
Over 8 seasons and 393 games in the SHL, Brodin would score an even 140 points, which is actually fairly good.
In a single 60-game season with Assat of Liiga, Brodian would 10 goals and add 8 assists for a total of 18 points.
Brodin, currently 29, is set to play with HC Fribourg-Gotteron of the Swiss NLA for the upcoming 2019-20 season.
Round 7 Pick 182 – F Josh Nicholls
With their final selection in the 2010 draft, the Maple Leafs selected forward Josh Nicholls from the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.
Nicholls was actually a decent pick here, as he was emerging as a top producer in the WHL.
During his 5-year WHL career, Nicholls would score 313 points in 332 games. Although very impressive, this production never quite translated to the NHL.
Nicholls went unsigned by the Leafs, making him a free agent at 20 years-old. The British Columbia native was signed to an ELC by the New York Rangers in 2013.
From there, Nicholls would struggle to find his place in the AHL, scoring a total of 4 points in 22 career AHL games. However, he would be a top scorer in the ECHL, recording 162 points in 204 career ECHL games.
Despite a solid run for the Colorado Eagles (then of the ECHL) in 2017, Nicholls saw better opportunity in Europe.
he would become a journeyman, playing for 4 teams in 2 years.
He had a notably good 20 points in 22 games with Storhamar of Norway in 2017-18, which earned he a KHL contract.
This past season, Nicholls struggled to keep a roster spot on the Chinese KHL team Kunlun Red Star, notching just 1 assist in 16 games.
Next. Mitch Marner is Not Different. dark
Currently, Nicholls doesn’t have a contract to play anywhere, which may lead to early retirement for the 27-year-old.