The draft is today and the trades have begun around the NHL:
And a little bit of Leafs news:
It’s certainly anything but a season of change for the Buds, as all of their concentration appears to be directed towards getting Auston Matthews and William Nylander locked into new contracts, rather than making actual moves to improve the roster.
I’m sure moves will come…. they have to…. but fans are mired in another version of “can’t afford most players because the stars here are draining all the capspace” and it’s tough to get excited about the potential for a new bottom 6 group of forwards and nothing else.
So, we’ll turn our attention towards the player that will likely prove to be the Leafs top prospect by the end of today. Who that is, we’re not sure yet, but it could be any of these prospects (I’ll do a quick piece on a number of players, considering this is the final prospect article of the year:
Samuel Honzek
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 186lbs
Honzek is a Slovakian import that has thrived on a smaller ice surface. He’s big, likes to play in the corners and in front of the net, uses his size to protect the puck and disrupt play, rather than punish the opposition with checks and can play in all situations. In short, he’s a two-way forward that has lots of skill and, if he can improve his skating, will play in the top 6 of a teams forward unit some day.
Gavin Brindley
Position: Centre
Shoots: Right
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 165lbs
If the Leafs go for a player such as Brindley, we’ll know that there is actually no change in the direction of this franchise. He isn’t exactly a replica of Semyon Der-Arguchintsev, but a small centre is what he is nonetheless. He plays the prototypical game that you’d expect from someone of his size, which means he skates well, has great hands, good vision, sets up plays and will help the powerplay, but he also adds in some physicality and pace to the mix. He could be a great player someday, but the optics would be bad from my point of view, considering this is the type of player the Leafs have aimed for recently and none have panned out.
Daniil But
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 205lbs
A goal scoring winger that works well in tight areas due to his exceptional hands. He can score from far out or up close, but, like all rangy players his age, he’ll need to improve on his skating as he matures. He doesn’t discount the defensive aspects of the game.
Anton Wahlberg
Position: Centre
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 194lbs
A centre with a very high ceiling, Wahlberg just needs to put it altogether. His skating is on the rise, his hands and creativity are solid and his overall offensive game is good. He can rush under pressure a little and throws the puck away at times, but that should be something that can be coached out of him, considering he has the skill and size to hold onto the puck, even against the best opposition.
Andrew Cristall
Position: Left Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 167lbs
Cristall is every buzz word that applies to every small player. Magician, skilled, smart, etc etc. His skating isn’t as high end as some of the other smaller forwards, but if he can improve in that area the world is his oyster.
Jayden Perron
Position: Forward
Shoots: Right
Height: 5’9”
Weight: 163lbs
Amazing hands. Superior playmaking. Elite skating. All in a convenient package.
Oscar Fiskar Molgaard
Position: Centre
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 165lbs
Molgaard played the entire year in the top Swedish league and did quite well. With a very high hockey IQ and one of the best effort levels in the draft, Molgaard projects to be a 2nd or 3rd line centre. His positioning and understanding of where he has to be on the ice are very good. He needs to improve his offensive game, as he doesn’t carry a line that way, but has the ability to play with skilled players.
Kasper Haltunnen
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 207lbs
Power forward that likes to get the puck to the net and has the size and skill to get it there. He’s a project, as he has the raw tools to be an effective player at the next level, but he has to put it all together.
Maxim Strbak
Position: Defense
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 205lbs
A big, physical, stay at home defender that skates well for his size and isn’t terrible while handling the puck. The ceiling is high, even if he doesn’t project to produce much offense going forward. He’s committed to Michigan State next year.
I’ll end this here. We’re covered over 20 possible prospect in this series and it was fun to write, but I’m still expecting them to trade this pick for an underwhelming return.
Here’s hoping they use it and grab a future star that plays his entire career for the Leafs though.