MONTREAL, QUEBEC – JULY 08: (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
No. 5: The Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 First-Round Pick
Regardless of whether or not the eventual pick becomes the first or last pick of the First Round, the idea of trading for a first-round pick is still very valuable in professional sports.
Personally, I think the first-round pick is the most overrated asset in sports, especially in hockey, and especially when it can be pick No. 20-32, but general manager’s everywhere still love them.
The Leafs haven’t been shy of trading their first-round pick in the past and they shouldn’t be shy about it again. Unless you’re getting a top pick, the first-round pick isn’t necessary to a team that’s looking to win now.
Sure, you can find a great player who’s not a top-five pick, but the chances of doing so gets lesser with the pick.
The typical NHL trade includes a first-round pick, prospect and roster player so look for the Leafs to utilize this draft pick if they’re making a big splash.
If the Leafs do end up trading this assets, let’s all hope it turns into the last pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft as that would mean that Toronto won the Stanley Cup.