It would seem that silly season is in full swing as 30 NHL teams sit and wait for the offseason to officially get underway, while the other 2 continue to battle for the Stanley Cup.
With a late start to the Cup finals, other GMs have little choice but to begin execution on plans to shape their rosters for next season. Which means tidbits of information is starting to circulate about possible interest in UFAs and prospects that could be targeted at the upcoming NHL Entry Draft.
One name that has been tied to the Leafs is Jack Pridham….. Yes, this is the son of Toronto’s assistant GM, Brandon Pridham.
Jack Pridham
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 176lbs
The NHL Combine was held yesterday, which gave teams the opportunity to interview and give physical testing to prospects they may be targeting on draft day. Afterward the Leafs held their own event, in which they invited a few prospects that you’d have to assume they’re leaning towards drafting at the end of the month, with Jack being one of them. Now, it’s possible that Jack was invited simply because his father is who he is, but it also makes some sense that they could be targeting the right winger with their 4th round selection. Ranked 65th among North American prospects by NHL Central Scouting, it would be a stretch to think that they would take him with their 23rd selection. Nepotism is a very real thing in todays world, but there’s a limit to the benefits it can provide in this case.
What’s not hard to imagine would be Pridham going to the Leafs via Toronto’s 4th round selection, #120 overall. If he’s still on the board at that time and they do opt to make him their selection, they’ll be getting a smart player with a well rounded game. He scored 23 goals and 48pts in 54 games for the Warriors of the BCHL this year and helped his draft day projection by following that up with 8 goals and 11pts in 10 games in the playoffs. He has a good shot and finds spots on the ice effectively to get it away quickly. He can make plays to his teammates by way of good vision and playmaking as well. His size and speed are a positive, as is his defensive game and effort.
While he’s described as a two-way power forward, he will need to get stronger to play that style of game at higher levels. He certainly has all the tools to become an NHL player, but none of what he brings is in the elite category. Again, a well rounded skater that works hard all over the ice is what they’d get, but his ceiling is likely that of a 3rd or 4th line checked that can add some hard work goals along the way.