Grading the Three Toronto Maple Leafs 2021 NHL Draft Picks
The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the 2021 NHL Entry Draft with just three of their original seven picks.
While the Toronto Maple Leafs would surely have liked to have more, the franchise did what they thought was best with their selections in rounds two, five, and six.
Kyle Dubas had a strategy going into day two of the selection process and likely stuck to it.
Without making any deals to add or subtract picks, the organization owns the rights to three new prospects. We will grade how the Toronto Maple Leafs did with the picks they made in the draft. (stats from eliteprospects.com).
Matthew Knies
The team’s first selection came at 57th overall, where they took a 6’3, 210 pound, left-winger from the United States Hockey League’s (USHL) Tri City Storm. Matthew Knies made his way to the USHL after an outstanding season in his final year playing minor hockey for his club team, the Phoenix Jr. Coyotes in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League. At age 16 he played 25 games and racked up 24 goals, 13 assists, and 30 penalty minutes.
Knies carried that momentum to the storm. In his rookie year, he recorded 45 points in 44 games. Most of those points came off assists. However, he did pot 14 goals. In his most recent campaign, Knies once again played 44 games and was nearly a point a game player. He registered 17 goals and 25 helpers for a total of 42 points.
The stat totals don’t paint the full picture on this big body winger. He is also known as a locker room leader and was even named one of the team’s assistant captains in his sophomore season.
According to Smaht Scouting, Knies is a physical player who will win the battles in the corners. His best asset, however, is his hands. He has soft mitts and can stickhandle his way both into and out of trouble. These already attained skills will help Knies as he furthers his development.
With the 57th selection, it appears as though Dubas made the safe bet by taking a player who has a real shot at becoming a Maple Leaf. Knies will likely be playing for the University of Minnesota Gophers next season in the NCAA. My biggest fear with him is the same I have with all college players, whether they choose to finish their schooling or sign with the team.
There is always the possibility that Knies chooses to play out his hockey with the Gophers and let the Leafs rights to him expire in that time. It’s worth keeping an eye on that even though there’s no need to panic at this time.
Draft Grade: A-
Ty Voit
The Toronto Maple Leafs used their second pick to take fifth-rounder Ty Voit. Unlike with Knies, the Leafs didn’t get to see the player in action this season. That’s because the OHL didn’t operate this year due to COVID-19. To make this pick, Dubas had to have faith in what his scouts saw in Voit’s rookie season.
It’s a gamble for Toronto but not a big one. According to Hockey Prospect’s Black Book, there is a lot to like about Voit, primarily, his playmaking. He has demonstrated excellent vision while playing for the Western Conference last-place team, Sarnia Sting. This stood out to scouts as Voit would make difficult passes look easy.
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The 5’9, 161-pound right-winger knows that he is never going to be the largest player on the ice and it appears as though he wears that as a badge of pride. He isn’t afraid to throw his body around and will compete hard on every shift.
Just like with Knies, there is still significant development needed until Voit is ready to compete for an NHL job. However, considering that it’s already a long shot for a fifth-round pick to make it to the NHL, the Leafs can take a hands-on approach and try to groom Voit to clean up his game and add some muscle. They can be patient because the expectations are lower.
The best part of this pick is that there is a path to the NHL for Voit. He is someone who can be trusted in all situations and will likely be a coach favourite playing in the Leafs system. Voit should get his opportunities and with a stronger club, may even excel.
Draft Grade: B+
Vyacheslav Peksa
There is no doubt that the Leafs had a very specific player in mind in the sixth round and they used their pick to select him. That would be goaltending prospect Vyacheslav Peksa. He is 6’2 and 163-pounds.
Peksa was well scouted by the Leafs because Jon Elkin was in Russia to watch Toronto’s fourth-round selection in the 2020 draft, goaltender Artur Akhtyamov. While there, it was Akhtyamov’s backup for Irbis Kazan in the MHL that caught Elkin’s eye. That happens to be Peksa.
This past season, Akhtyamov played nine regular-season games and 12 playoff contests while also splitting time with the organization’s KHL club, AK Bars Kazan. Peksa was between the pipes for more regular-season MHL Kazan games. He played 17 contests and posted a 2.57 goals against average and 0.909 save percentage.
There is likely some strategy to selecting Peksa as well. Akhtyamov, who hasn’t yet signed with Toronto, had an excellent year. There may be some thought around building comfort for Akhtyamov to come to North America by also having him come with someone he knows well in Peksa.
If the Leafs had a seventh-round pick, it’s my opinion that they would have used it to take Peksa, who was passed over in last year’s draft and may not have been on any other GM’s draft board.
Draft Grade: B+
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There’s a lot to like about how Dubas maximized the few picks he had. While there may have been a few players I liked ahead of who they selected, I’m very encouraged by the picks they did make. Time will tell, but it looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs did well on Saturday.