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.