Editor In Leaf
Fansided

Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: NHL Entry Draft First-Round Options

By Wilbert Timmermans

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: General manager Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: General manager Kyle Dubas of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Rasmus Sandin poses after being selected twenty-ninth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – JUNE 22: Rasmus Sandin poses after being selected twenty-ninth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Dylan Murphy

With the 15th overall pick, the Toronto Maple Leafs should undoubtedly select Yaroslav Askarov, if he’s available.

There are no two-ways about it, Askarov is projected to be the best goaltender to enter the draft since Andrei Vasilevskiy. If he’s still available at 15th overall, he must be selected. He won’t have an immediate impact on the Leafs day-to-day roster, but after the appropriate development time, he could become a cost-controlled stabilizing force in between the pipes.

A true number-one netminding prospect that, frankly, the Leafs have never had… what? Tuukka Rask? Never heard of him. Barring Askarov, the only player I know who would probably be available in that range is Dawson Mercer, and full-disclosure, I only know his name because he’s a fellow Newfoundlander, and that’s literally the only reason I have for why I wouldn’t mind the Leafs selecting him.

Nevertheless, should the chance come along, Kyle Dubas should not hesitate and use their first-round draft pick to select the goaltender that could be the number one netminder for many years to come.

Home/Editorials