Kyle Dubas must make a decision soon on these Toronto Maple Leafs draft picks.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are about to lose the signing rights to two of their recent draft picks. Will GM Kyle Dubas offer either of these players a contract before the June 1st deadline, and more importantly, should he?
The Maple Leafs currently have 48/50 contracts slots filled, so any future signings must be taken with this under consideration. Granted, this current total includes about 20 expiring contracts such as Cody Ceci and Nathan Horton.
Below is a breakdown of both players and some thoughts n if either should be offered a contract.
Meet The Players The Toronto Maple Leafs Must Decide On
Riley Stotts is a center with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. He was selected in the 3rd round, 83rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2018 Entry Draft. In 64 games this season, Stotts scored 68 points (25 goals), a career-high for the 20-year-old.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have very few natural center prospects in the pipeline, on the merit of that alone, I think Stotts would be worth offering a contract to. His career has been on a steady incline since arriving in Calgary three years ago, and the Maple Leafs will likely have room for him to begin his professional career with the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers.
Zachary Bouthillier is a goalie with the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs. He was selected in the 7th round, 209th overall in the 2018 Entry Draft. in 45 games played this season (a career-high), Bouthillier recorded 19 wins and 25 losses, a 4.16 Goals Against Average and a .897 Save Percentage.
The decision to offer Bouthillier a contract is less cut-and-dry than if they should sign Stotts. The Maple Leafs currently have three non-NHL level goaltenders signed for next season: Joseph Woll, Ian Scott, and Parker Gahagen.
If Dubas intends to extend an offer to either Stotts or Bouthillier, the clock is ticking and the deadline to sign on the dotted line fast approaches.