Another NHL entry draft has come and gone for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Going into day one of the 2022 entry draft, Toronto owned pick number 25 in the first round. General manager Kyle Dubas traded the pick with goaltender Petr Mrazek to the Chicago Blackhawks for the 38th overall pick.
The trade was a necessary one for Dubas and the Leafs. It frees up $3.8 million in salary-cap space for this year and next. According to capfriendly.com, they now have just over $10.2 million in available cap space. Dubas now has the cap space needed to sign a number one goaltender.
Will Toronto re-sign Jack Campbell or target another goaltender such as Darcy Kuemper? It is a question that many Toronto fans are asking. Signing a free agent goaltender is not Dubas’ only option. He could look for his next starter on the trade market.
Regardless of which route the Toronto Maple Leafs take to address their need for goaltending, it is their top priority.
Toronto Maple Leafs on Day 2 of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft
Toronto started day two of the draft by selecting Fraser Minten with the 38th overall pick. Minten is a 6’1 center weighing 185 pounds. Last season, he recorded 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points in 67 games. He also recorded 16 points in 17 playoff games for Kamloops in the WHL playoffs. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)
Kyle Dubas traded the 79th overall pick to Vegas for the 95th and 135th overall picks. He then used the 95th overall pick to select Nicholas Moldenhauer. Moldenhauer is 5’11, 170 pounds, and is a hometown kid from Mississauga, Ontario. He recorded 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points in 41 games for the Chicago Steel in the USHL.
Next up, Toronto traded a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft to Nashville for the 122nd overall pick in this draft. With pick number 122, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Dennis Hildeby. He is a 6’6, 234 Lbs goaltender from Sweden. The 20-year-old will play with Farjestad BK in the SHL next season.
With their next pick, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Nikita Grebenkin 135th overall. He is a 6’2, 183 Lbs right-winger from Russia. Last season he recorded 17 goals and 47 assists for 64 points in 58 games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs ended their 2022 draft by selecting Brandon Lisowsky with the 218th overall pick. He is a bit on the small side (5’9, 181 Lbs), but the left-winger has a ton of talent. Last season, he recorded 33 goals and 25 assists for 58 points in 68 games for the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL.
Overall, I think the Toronto Maple Leafs had a successful 2022 draft. Kyle Dubas found a way to get rid of Mrazek’s contract and acquire more picks. Now Dubas and the Toronto Maple Leafs move on to free agency, which begins next week.