Here's a final ranking of players the Leafs could likely draft with their first-round pick.
theathletic.com
Options at No. 25
Noah Ostlund, C | Djurgardens-Sweden Jr. | 5-foot-11, 163 pounds
Scott Wheeler’s final ranking: 23 | Corey Pronman’s final ranking: 30
If Noah Ostlund is available at 25, his clever playmaking and smooth skating make him something of a no-brainer for the Leafs. Ostlund plays with the kind of elite hockey brain that the Leafs covet and his consistency and composure on and off the puck allow me to believe he might be able to transition to North American professional hockey relatively soon.
But his draft stock has soared lately, and it’s now a more sizeable “if” he’ll be available at 25.
Liam Ohgren, LW | Djurgardens-Sweden Jr. | 6-foot-0, 187 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 14 | Pronman’s final ranking: 28
The ultra-competitive forward has a blend of scoring, skill, smarts and maturity that make him a very likely fit for the Leafs. My understanding is they’ve shown genuine interest in Ohgren, and he feels far more likely to be available than Ostlund. Ohgren is not a massive player, but his sense of competitiveness seems to make up for that. Serving as captain for Sweden at the under-18 world championships is a valuable piece to his makeup, and the fact that his father, Andreas, is known as a relentless trainer (“The Gary Roberts of Sweden” was how he was described to me by one person who knows Ohgren well) could only help increase his chances of succeeding in the NHL.
The Canadiens, who also have interest in Ohgren, pick right after the Leafs. Picking Ohgren just lines up for so many reasons.
Rutger McGroarty, RW | USA U-18 NTDP | 6-foot-1, 200 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 15 | Pronman’s final ranking: 18
McGroarty not only has size, great hands and an excellent shot, but what sticks out to me is his understanding of where he needs to be on the ice and the efforts he needs to make to succeed in the NHL. He captained the U-18 team and oozes charisma, which apparently impressed most NHL teams he interviewed with at the NHL combine.
McGroarty interviewed with the Leafs at the combine and they continued to monitor him throughout this past season. His skating needs to improve, but the Leafs have to like that McGroarty already began working with their former longtime skating coach, Barb Underhill. His stride is awkward, but if the Leafs feel it can be refined then his scoring plus his drive to compete and win puck battles in all areas of the ice makes him another smart choice for the Leafs.
Denton Mateychuk, LHD | Moose Jaw-WHL | 5-foot-11, 188 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 13 | Pronman’s final ranking: 14
I’ve heard more and more that there’s some interest in Mateychuk from teams drafting late in the first round who feel he’ll be available. Pronman had Mateychuk going to the Leafs in his mock draft, too, and he certainly fits the profile: The incredibly crafty and pacey defenceman can read the game in a unique way, and projects to be the kind of blue liner who can join the team’s forwards with boatloads of skill and confidence. He skates remarkably well, increasing the chances that he could make the jump to the pros soon enough.
The only question is whether he’ll indeed fall to 25. I have some reservations about that, at least compared to some of the other players on this list. But if Mateychuk is available, I wonder if the Leafs consider themselves fortunate, don’t overthink things and rush to the podium to make this selection.
Luca Del Bel Belluz, C | Mississauga-OHL | 6-foot, 175 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 47 | Pronman’s final ranking: 27
I’m torn here between two Mississauga centres, both of whom the Leafs probably like in some capacity: Del Bel Belluz and Owen Beck. Both play with skill, but Del Bel Belluz’s skating needs a little more work, and he could stand to bulk up some more.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the Leafs do end up going for Del Bel Belluz given that his puck skills and his shot beat out Beck’s and his ceiling feels higher.
Beck might end up being a bit more of a complete package. I may be higher on Beck than others for the Leafs’ pick at 25, but I’m thinking about a safe option here for a possible third-line centre down the road, and both players fit that bill.
Wild cards to watch at 25
There is risk inherent in all of the players in this category, but if the Leafs want to take a swing and bet on a player’s upside, there are a few options.
Filip Mesar, RW | Poprad-Slovakia | 5-foot-10, 167 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 21 | Pronman’s final ranking: 34
I can’t get enough of the way Mesar plays. He’s incredibly active, and always seems to want to use his high-end skating to create dynamic offensive options in the offensive zone or break up plays in the neutral zone. But, as they say, your greatest strength is your greatest weakness, and as much as I love watching him dazzle in all three zones, I wonder if it’s a sustainable option in the NHL. His size is a genuine concern, but there’s a fearlessness in his approach that the Leafs have proven to be fans of with past draft picks. Like nearly every player on this list, he uses his brain to impact the game, and did so playing against men for the last two seasons in Slovakia.
Isaac Howard, LW | USA U-18 NTDP | 5-foot-10, 182 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 10 | Pronman’s final ranking: 33
My opinion on Howard has soured slightly after my initial list. He’s got the kind of hands, shot and sheer desire to score that will entice NHL teams in the first round, but my reservations are centred around how much he can impact the game in the neutral and defensive zones. I’m not as concerned about his size as I am about others on this list. He plays with the kind of moxie that seems to make up for his frame.
Brad Lambert, C | Pelicans-Finland | 6-foot, 175 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 8 | Pronman’s final ranking: 15
I wrestled here with two names: Lambert and Russian left winger Ivan Miroshnichenko.
On talent alone, Miroshnichenko feels like a possible top 10 pick. But after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in March, there were questions about how that would impact his future. He’s since been cleared to play, which is a good thing for him and his future.
Then there’s Lambert, an elite talent whose skating stands out in this draft class and feels more likely to be available at 25 than Miroshnichenko.
There are questions about his intensity off the puck. Here’s Pronman: “He’s full of potential, even though I’ve seen him take a lot of nights off.” Pronman said he thinks he will be a top-six NHL winger but “he may frustrate coaches.”
What gets me thinking about Lambert as an option is the team’s long-standing proclivity for players who need to be handled differently. Josh Ho-Sang is an obvious comparison, and the entire Marlies organization went to great lengths to indulge Ho-Sang and his unique approach throughout this season. Do the Leafs have enough confidence in their coaching staff to get the best out of Lambert?
Interestingly, their development staff might have spent a little more time than usual watching his game, considering 2019 Leafs draft pick and recently-signed defenceman Mikko Kokkonen played for Lambert’s team in Finland this season.
Jagger Firkus, RW | Moose Jaw-WHL | 5-foot-9, 153 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 34 | Pronman’s final ranking: 31
Firkus has the kind of hands that make his game pop. When he’s surveying the ice and making difficult passes, it’s hard not to appreciate his game and envision what the elusive, shifty forward might be capable of down the road. The Leafs are not short on, well, short and skilled players in their prospect pool. Part of me wonders if they’re looking to continually diversify the looks of their prospect group, especially at the top of the list, as evidenced by the selection of hulking forward Matthew Knies last year.
Lane Hutson, LHD | USA U-18 NTDP | 5-foot-8, 148 pounds
Wheeler’s final ranking: 19 | Pronman’s final ranking: 22
There will (obviously) be a team to take a risk on the supremely skilled Hutson, and they’ll do so knowing that the list of 5-foot-8 NHL defencemen is a short one.
First, Hutson appears to want to face the challenge head on, bringing a report to the NHL combine from his endocrinologist which indicated that his bone age is delayed relative to his age and that he’s expected to grow more. You have to appreciate the gusto and if he continues growing, his elite vision and ability to make dangerous plays look easy may end up benefiting an NHL team. The position of defence is changing, and we know Hutson has the ability to change the game when he’s on the ice. Hey, the Leafs have never shied away from drafting small players before, right?
it is a good list though.
