Recently reading a TSN article by Travis Yost, over the last 10 years, only 44% of second rounders, 30% of 3rd rounders, and around 20% of 4th rounders have played 50 or more NHL games. Picks in rounds 5-7 have around a 15% chance pf playing 50 NHL games, with the difference between rounds 5-7 is only 1.8%, meaning those late picks at the end of the day share similar value. I think the Leafs have actually done alot better recently in later draft picks. We have Connor Brown (6th round, 2012), Travis Dermott (2nd round, 2015), Josh Leivo (3rd round, 2011), Andreas Johnsson(7th round, 2013). Two really good Marlies players were also drafted outside the first round. Carl Grundstrom (2nd round, 2016) played very well this year in the SHL and is scoring key goals during the Marlies playoff run. Garrett Sparks (7th round, 2011) is the best goalie in the AHL and has been all year. Throw in Adam Brooks (4th round, 2016), Andrew Nielsen (3rd round 2015), Jeremy Braaco (2nd round, 2015) and Dmytro Timashov (5th round, 2015) as wildcards who are playing on the best team in the AHL, I'd say the Leafs have done alright outside the first round.
I think an area the Leafs were brutal at for years was drafting in first round. We either drafted guys who didn't make it;
Brandon Convery, 8th overall 1992, 92 career games,
Eric Fichaud, 16th overall 1994, 95 career games,
Jeff Ware, 15th overall 1995, 21 career games
Luca Cereda, 24th overall 1999, 0 career games
Tyler Biggs, 22nd overall 2011, 0 career games
Stuart Percy, 25th overall 2011, 12 career games
Or traded away our first rounders (Brad Boyes, Carlo Colaiacavo, Alex Steen, Tuuka Rask, Jiri Tlusty, Luke Schenn).
We had some seriously dark draft years from the early 90's until 2012. And I feel since 2012 we have done very well. We have 6 Leafs roster players in the last 6 drafts, 9 Marlies and several SHL and KHLers. Not really that bad at all.