Jordan Maresky
With the Leafs 15th overall pick, Kyle Dubas should select none other than goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, granted he is still available.
Being labeled the best goalie prospect since Carey Price by Bob Mackenzie and with Craig Button saying he has the potential to be one of the most dominant goaltenders in the league due to his athletic ability, a la Andrei Vasilevskiy, it is hard to not fantasize about Askarov in the Blue and White.
The 6”3 Russian netminders dominated the VHL, Russia’s second-highest league, going 12-3-3, posting a .920 save percentage. The VHL has never had a goaltender at 17 years-old absolutely command the crease the way Askarov did. Plus, various scouts have suggested Askarov will not need as much time in the minors as other goalie prospects have previously needed, and can be NHL ready in as soon as two years.
“The best goaltending prospect we’ve seen in a very long time. Hits all the markers – size, composure, puck-tracking, elasticity, and competitive fire. His body of work thus far deserves a top-10 slot. Currently tearing up the VHL this year which is literally unheard of for a U18.” – Cam Robinson, DobberProspects.
For such a long time Toronto has had great forward prospects (Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Nick Robertson), great defense prospects (Morgan Rielly, Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren), but has never had an elite goalie prospect.
So much of this offseason recently is about how the Leafs are going to replace Frederik Andersen in the crease, however, if Kyle Dubas nabs Askarov at 15, the problem solves itself. Askarov is the future of Toronto’s crease.