23 Options For the Toronto Maple Leafs 2024 NHL Entry Draft - EJ Emery
The USA U18 Defenseman excites with a defensive game well beyond his years. What he lacks could make him truly great.
The Toronto Maple Leafs will pick 23rd in this year's NHL Entry Draft.
Because the Toronto Maple Leafs are picking 23rd, we thought it would be a fun idea to profile 23 potential draft picks they could make in that spot leading up to the draft.
One such player is EJ Emery.
EJ Emery could go anywhere at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, and for one reason. Many scouts seem uncertain over what kind of upside Emery has.
There's more certainty that Emery has a strong, NHL-level floor. The 6'3 defenseman excites over a strong defensive game and the ability to react quickly in his own end to plays, unfazed by opposing rush chances or sneak dangles.
The collectiveness of Emery's game easily makes it simple to see an NHL projection for Emery, someone who has the defensive composure to keep pucks away from danger and protect his team.
What's keeping him from being such a high draft pick is on the offensive side of things.
23 Options For the Toronto Maple Leafs 2024 NHL Entry Draft - EJ Emery
INTRODUCTION
Emery is Canadian born, but is the son of an American father, and is a Right-Handed Defenseman who has played the past two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP).
Emery is committed to play next season for the University of North Dakota. He's ranked 39th by NHL Central Scouting for North American skaters, and highest by TSN's Craig Button at 17th.
Emery's athleticism is one of the finest in this draft. He's a powerful defender with heavy body-strength, but also has the quickness to move around and deliver hits and chase pucks, using his size to close off opponents.
It's an archetype that goes undervalued to many fans, but NHL GM's are constantly paying the big bucks to have it. At best, you hope Emery turns into an elite defensive defenseman who allows your offense to thrive knowing he's behind them, like an Adam Pelech. A more realistic comparison may be Washington's Nick Jensen.
Emery has struggled in producing points on a USA National Team Development Program squad deep with scoring talent.
Emery had just 16 points, all assists, in 61 games for the NTDP this season. Some similar totals for the USA include Charlie Leddy (2022/126) with 17 PTS in 55GP.
One potential positive outcome is Brock Faber, who had just 12 points in 46 games in 2019-20 for the Americans. Faber was a 22nd Round Pick, however. If you're taking Emery round 1, it's a matter of believing in the offense eventually coming. Faber, who finished 2nd in this year's Calder Trophy standings, may give optimism to teams that Emery can find his offensive game with the right development.
It was with offensive-minded defender Cole Hutson that it seemed clear of exactly what kind of game Emery could provide to a team. His hardworking stay-at-home style perfectly complimented the mobile and puck-hungry Hutson, who was able to push the puck up ice with Emery relied upon to sit behind and focus on protecting his own end, ready to move in to be the man on defense.
A good example of this is Minnesota's Jacob Middleton. When he'd play alongside Jared Sourgeon, Middleton's stay-at-home style allowed for Spurgeon go advance on the rush, leaving Middleton to focus on protecting his own end.
Emery is a player who could go in a few different directions, but he has the athleticism and maturity to at the very least stick in the NHL, although not as a premier player but a reliable defensive option. The rest of his game will be determined by how much of him progresses at the next level.
Projection
Scouting Analysis
Emery currently projects in my view as a second-line defender who excels at keeping control over the game in his own end, while moving the puck into the opposing end, while maintaining composure behind the play.
With an offensive growth, especially in terms of shooting, could see Emery become a longtime top-four NHLer.
EJ Emery of the @USAHockeyNTDP is one of the more intriguing defense prospects eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft. Find out which NHL defenseman his coach compares him to and more in this FloHockey draft profile. @undmhockey
— FloHockey (@FloHockey) February 7, 2024
Full Feature: https://t.co/T7SZWjcVcu#USHL #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/0qosSiIfhD
It's hard to see the same offensive burst you've seen this year from Brock Faber, but EJ Emery has the strength to win puck battles and close down chances. Teams are constantly looking for players who can do all the little things while complimenting the offense.
The lack of production is a legitimate concern. You hate to bring up points, but in this case, it's rare to be a first round pick without showing up on the scoresheet, even for a defensive defender.
You could either get a player who'll give you a longtime good but not great career, or a player who is replacement level, but can be called upon and be relied upon.
I think the latter is closer to what is expected. Good value pick outside the lottery if you are a team in need of a top defender in your prospect pool.
The lack of offense makes it tough to view him as a lottery pick but the overall tools beyond that are highly projectable for all three lines.
Maple Leaf Likeliness
The Toronto Maple Leafs could use a tall, shutdown defender on the right side (and the left) and Emery would compliment an offensive-minded LD group.
That said, it's important to take the best player available because by the time anyone you draft in 2024 is ready to play in the NHL, your team will likely have an entirely different set of needs.
23 isn't a crazy place to take Emery if you're confident on his overall game translating, and if the expected run on defenseman early in the draft happens.
@ejemery55 @Buccigross @CraigJButton pic.twitter.com/qyCWrtNeTf
— Scott Norton (@NortonSports) May 11, 2024
He's not typical of who the Leafs have drafted (in recent years they have looked to draft for talent while expecting to find players like Emery elsewhere) but Calgary had a ton of tall, skilled defensemen under Brad Treliving, which makes you wonder if he'd be someone to vouch for Emery's game.
If drafted, Emery probably becomes Toronto's 2nd best D prospect after Topi Niemela, with the chance of being #1 at some point next season depending on how Emery plays for UND.
If you like a mobile, hard worker who'll potentially make your zone a lot safer, you'll want someone like Emery in your lineup. (stats eliteprospects.com).
Even though Emery could go in a few different directions projection wise, there seems to be a lot of overall safety just from watching him, and it's hard to see a future in which Emery doesn't at the very least become a serviceable player who at the very least can calm down plays and keep pucks away from opponents, whether that be on the first, second, or third line.
manual
EJ Emery will likely be an NHLer and teams may be willing to bet on what seems like at what looks to be a very safe bet with the hope of further potential.