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Re-Drafting Toronto Maple Leafs History: 2014 NHL Entry Draft

By Stephen Nixon

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: William Nylander is selected eighth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center on June 27, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JUNE 27: William Nylander is selected eighth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at the Wells Fargo Center on June 27, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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ST. LOUIS, MO – FEBRUARY 6: Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Winnipeg Jets shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center on February 6, 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – FEBRUARY 6: Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Winnipeg Jets shoots the puck against the St. Louis Blues at the Enterprise Center on February 6, 2020 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

#7. Carolina Hurricanes

Actual: Haydn Fleury

Re-Draft: Viktor Arvidsson

If you’re a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, the name Viktor Arvidsson may not be a familiar one for you.

First, there’s not a lot of Nashville Predators talk in Toronto and secondly, the names like Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen or Roman Josi are all going to come up in conversation before Arvidsson if you’re ever talking about the Predators.

Well, Arvidsson’s name should be talked about more often because he’s a goal-scoring machine.

Prior to this season, Arvidsson led the Predators in goal-scoring for three consecutive seasons. With 117 career goals, Arvidsson ranks third among his draft class in goals.

Originally drafted 112th overall in this draft, the Predators drafted incredibly well in 2014, not only stealing Arvidsson late but getting a solid player in Kevin Fiala with the 11th overall selection.

#8. Toronto Maple Leafs

Actual: William Nylander

Re-Draft: Nikolaj Ehlers

When the Toronto Maple TTLeafs were leading up to this selection, I remember there being a huge debate around William Nylander and Nikolaj Ehlers. Both players were in most rankings between 7-9 and it felt like the Leafs would select either one of these players.

Back-and-forth for weeks, I was on the fence and ultimately thought that the Leafs should select Ehlers. Although Nylander is probably the right choice after the fact, it’s crazy to see how similar these players have been.

William Nylander:

  • 2016-17 Season: 81 games, 22 goals, 39 points
  • 2017-18 Season: 82 games, 20 goals, 61 points
  • 2018-2019 Season: 54 games, 7 goals, 27 points
  • 2019-2020 Season: 68 games, 31 goals, 59 points

Nikolaj Ehlers:

  • 2016-17 Season: 82 games, 25 goals, 64 points
  • 2017-18 Season: 82 games, 29 goals, 60 points
  • 2018-2019 Season: 62 games, 21 goals, 37 points
  • 2019-2020 Season: 71 games, 25 goals, 58 points

Nylander’s point totals have been a little less than Ehlers, but Nylander’s last season showed us that his career path may be a higher than Ehlers.

Either way, the Leafs would have selected a very similar player to Nylander in Ehlers with this re-draft and the team would most likely be in the same situation, no better or worse, then they are today.

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