Toronto Maple Leafs: Recent Call-up Proof of 2018 Draft Success

The Toronto Maple Leafs have called up yet another draft pick from their class of 2018. 

The 2018 NHL draft is proving to be a successful one for the Toronto Maple Leafs and general manager Kyle Dubas.

When an NHL team enters the NHL draft, there is no telling how successful it will be until years later. Outside of the early picks in the first round, there is really no telling how an 18 year old is bound to turn out years down the line.

During the 2018 NHL draft, the Leafs selected nine players through seven rounds. Five of those nine players chosen by GM Kyle Dubas have played in the NHL. Toronto’s recent call-up of Semyon Der-Arguchintsev could make it six. The only player to find NHL success with a team other than Toronto from this group is Sean Durzi, who was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in the Jake Muzzin trade.

Here is a closer look at each player selected by Toronto in 2018 that has reached the NHL.

Toronto Maple Leafs 2018 NHL Draft Selections in the NHL

Rasmus Sandin

With their first selection in the 2018 NHL draft, 29th overall, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Rasmus Sandin. The 22-year-old Swede has recorded seven goals and 29 assists for 36 points in 114 NHL games.

Sandin is becoming a fixture on the Maple Leafs power play, and has really picked up his game ever since making a few memorable blunders last month. (Stats from hockey-reference.com)

Sean Durzi

Sean Durzi was selected in the second round with the 52nd overall pick. It is a shame that Durzi is the one who got traded away. He has turned into a decent defenseman for the Kings.  Muzzin was a star player for the Leafs during three playoffs, so no matter how good Durzi turns out, this was a trade the Leafs would make over again.

Durzi has played in 88 games for the Kings so far and has recorded seven goals and 36 assists for 43 points. His future looks bright in Los Angeles, and I’m sure Dubas still feels some pride in seeing a player he drafted finding success.

Semyon Der-Arguchintsev

In the third round of the 2018 NHL draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs selected Semyon Der-Arguchintsev with the 76th overall pick.

After registering 12 goals and 63 assists for 75 points in 55 games for the Peterborough Petes of the OHL in 2019-20, Der-Arguchintsev’s pro career started slowly. He recorded 32 points in 51 games for the Toronto Marlies last season. The 2022-23 season is off to a good start, as he has 18 points in 20 games. He will look to make an impression during his NHL stint. (Stats from eliteprospects.com)

Mac Hollowell

Mac Hollowell was selected in the 4th round of the 2018 NHL draft with the 118th overall pick. He had nine points in 12 games for the Toronto Marlies before getting his call-up to the NHL. Since joining the Maple Leafs, Hollowell has had two assists in six games. He has looked good in those six games while averaging over 12 minutes a game.

Filip Kral

Filip Kral got a brief taste of the NHL when he got called up right after Jake Muzzin got hurt. He played in two games, recording zero points. Kral has two assists in seven games for the Toronto Marlies. Toronto selected Kral in the fifth round of the 2018 NHL draft with the 149th overall pick. He is currently in the AHL, but another call-up to the NHL is likely for Kral.

Pontus Holmberg

Pontus Holmberg was selected by Toronto in the sixth round with the 156th overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft. He spent most of last season on loan to Vaxjo Lakers HC in Sweden. It was probably the best thing for him, as he registered 41 points in 46 games.

This season he has recorded four points in nine games with the Marlies and three points in 11 games with the Maple Leafs.