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23 Options for the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 2024 Draft - Lucas Pettersson

The Swedish Forward is a well-rounded player who does a bit of everything on the ice

By Austin Kelly |
Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving at the 2023 NHL Draft
Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving at the 2023 NHL Draft / Bruce Bennett/GettyImages
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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.

Lucas Petterson is one of the more under the radar players in the 2024 NHL Draft class, but the Swedish center has a lot of traits that the Toronto Maple Leafs would like.

Playing for MoDo in the Swedish top junior league, the J20 Nationell, Pettersson was one of the league's best offensive talents, with 27 goals, 30 assists & 57 points in 44 games for the club, one of the top point getters for 2024 draft eligibles.

Petterson also played top line for Sweden at the WJC U18, tied for 11st in points for the Bronze medal winning Swedes with eight. Pettersson has consistently been an offensive factor wherever he plays, but is more than just a good offensive player.

INTRODUCTION

Lucas Pettersson has been one of the more dynamic players out of Sweden this season. A natural center, Pettersson is also able to play on the wing, although he may manage to stick at center in the future.

Born Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. Pettersson plays for his hometown team, MoDo. He spent the season in the J20 Nationell, netting 27 goals and 57 points in 44 games, easily leading the team in points, as well as placing 1st In points and assists.

Pettersson also got a bit of experience in the Swedish Hockey League, getting five games with MoDo, but went scoreless in minimal minutes. A leader for Sweden at the U18U18s, Pettersson had a goal and assist in the Bronze medal game against Slovakia, a leading factor in their finish.

EllteProspects has his consolidated ranking at 36th amongst consensus. Pettersson was ranked 31st in Bob McKenzie's ranking from NHL pro scouts, ranked 16 by NHL Central Scouting for international skaters.

Petterson is a quick and creative forward who generates a lot of offense. He has a mix of quick feet and quick hands.

SCOUTING ANALYSIS

Pettersson has been a player I've been a bit higher on than most for a while.

He's a creative two-twway offensive forward who has the creativity and puchandling to create for himself and others. He does well in battling to push plays forward and does well moving in tight, which is good to see a player who can do well in cramped areas with the larger, more open European ice.

He a little undersized at 5'11 and just over 170lbs, but he doesn't play like a lightweight. Although he can get knocked down at times, Pettersson does a good job recovering and shows some decent defensive effort in his abability to keep opponents closed down.

He plays a consistent high-tempo game, constantly moving with and without the puck.

On occasion he may over-skate, but he does well in composing himself to not get caught doing too much. He's a strong playmaker but as one of MoDo's top players, Pettersson also showed himself capable as a goalscorer with an accurate wrist shot that hopefully he'll show more of.

He's likely more of a playmaker than a scorer in the NHL where he has to worry less about being the main man, although he'll likely get a few scoring chances, he reads more complimentary than the main producer.

He seems like a middle-six forward with special teams potential on the 2nd unit of both the PP and PK. Right now Pettersson looks like a 33rd liner, but with some added strength could eventually be a 22nd liner, perhaps a 2C.

Toronto Maple Leafs Likeliness

The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly already met with Pettersson, so there is clearly a bit of interest in him as a player, although meeting with a player does not mean they are their pick, but the Leafs are doing their due diligence on Pettersson.

In my view, Pettersson plays to an area the Toronto Maple Leafs have valued, and that's versatility in a lineup.

Although he's a natural center, he has the quickness and creativity to play along the wing, and may do with his size, although he has a good chance of staying at center mainly if he bulks up.

The Leafs recent drafting has shown favorability to the ability to create and generate offense, which are strengths in Pettersson's game. Add a good transition game and defensive effort, and he could be their next Calle Jarnkrok.

I don't know if Pettersson gets taken before 23, he's not rated much above that area, but the Leafs seem like one of the teams who would have the most appreciation for his exciting, well-rounded style of play.

QUOTES

"He's not the most dynamic player you'll ever see, but the sum of the parts looks like a potential bottom-six forward or fourth-line center in the NHL." - Corey Pronman (The Athletic)

"He’s a smart and well-rounded two-way center who has some talent and understands how to get the most out of his game." - Scott Wheeler (The Athletic)

"He's got great hands and an ability to delay and hesitate on defenders, freezing them off the rush so that he can cut past and gain an advantage. He also uses his fairly fast skating to apply pressure and force turnovers, intercept passes and creating breaks for himself. Plus, he's a capable penalty killer." - Scott Wheeler (The Athletic)

"A very accurate shot and a well-rounded defensive game should paint the picture of a minute munching center at the NHL level." - David Saad (DobberProspects)

"He's best described as equal parts shooter / distributor who plays the game fast." - CapFriendly

FULL SHIFT

In conclusion, Lucas Pettersson is a player that the Leafs clearly like, and a player who would make an excellent addition to their prospect list. He may not be available at 23, but if he is, the Leafs will be getting an excellent player.

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