2018 Draft: 2nd Pick: Ryan McLeod (F) - Recalled to taxi squad 4/18/21

[KenLinsemanFanClub]

He could learn all about compete from Ryan Smyth.

 

[Aceboogie]

Love this pick again. Home run pick. Just hopefully his work ethic improves with age and maturity. If it does, he had top 6 or even top line skill.

Love our last 3 drafts

 

[780il]

I said yesterday that I'd love him at 40. Speedy, lot's of skill, good size at 6'2 205, good shot. Just needs to play with more aggresiveness/push the pace and shoot the pill more.

 

[Ruok]

Not a bad pick. It is well within the range so good on the oilers for not doing the walk around.

 

[nabob]

Great pick. Kid has some growing up to do, but that’s why he’s a kid. Not everyone can be like McDavid/Nurse at 16/17 years old.

 

[McJazz]

If he has these reported attitude/work ethic issues, maybe playing for his favorite team will be a motivating factor. Let’s hope so at least.

 

[BudBundy]

Seems a good value pick. 6’2” Centres with speed never go out of style. Worst case scenario he should still be a useful bottom 6 PK guy.

 

[Joey Moss]

The same things said about McLeod were said about Brandon Saad in his draft year.

 

[RipsADrive]

Just hire Smyth to be his personal trainer.

Those commitment issues will be gone within the year.

 

[SourOil]

Quotes from the Black Book:

“He has so much talent but I’m not sure he’ll ever use it. “ NHL Scout, May 2018

“Third year in the league, I didn’t think his game took the next step. He had a lot of perimeter play…” - NHL Scout, May 2018

“Solid player who has a lot more to give competitively and getting to the hard areas of the ice. He’s smarter than his brother but not even close to the same compete level…work ethics not even close.” - NHL Scout, May 2018

“I wasn’t a big fan of his brothers game and Mike didn’t change my mind about him this season. Ryan has more skill but lacks in two important categories for me: Hockey sense and compete. Skating and skill are good and so is the size.obviously He can control much of his future himself if he chooses to compete harder, and if he does, he’ll make our ranking look really bad.” - HP Scout, Mark Edwards

Interesting insight. Thanks man.

I definitely favour heart and soul players, but his skill level may outweigh the character concerns. Hopefully the switch goes in him when he gets to the development camp and starts learning more about the pro game.

 

[McDNicks17]

Pretty good pick at 40, but he's an OHLer I wasn't a big fan of.

He's one of those guys that skate around really fast, but don't really accomplish much.

 

[Dempsey]

I don't like the pick. Third year in the OHL and he barely broke a point per game. Attitude issues, work ethic issues, slipped all year in the rankings as scouts saw more of him.

I honestly don't care too much for the "speed and size" when you consider the above, and I could care less that some people had him in their first round and so that's apparent great value. But we'll see. Hope he turns out.

 

[Brock]

More info on McLeod for you.

MY scouting report:
OHL Prospects: My Final Top 50 OHL Players for the 2018 NHL Entry Draft - Part 4: 10-1

Notes from my media/scout polls:
OHL Prospects: Final Media/Scout Poll for the 2018 NHL Draft

 

[BudBundy]

Al

I don't like the pick. Third year in the OHL and he barely broke a point per game. Attitude issues, work ethic issues, slipped all year in the rankings as scouts saw more of him.

I honestly don't care too much for the "speed and size" when you consider the above, and I could care less that some people had him in their first round and so that's apparent great value. But we'll see. Hope he turns out.

All players in the second round have some identifiable flaws. Taking one with size, speed, and skill but needing to work on his “jam” isnt a poor bet. Much rather take a kid like this than an undersized buzzsaw who tops out like Toby Petersen.

 

[BudBundy]

Double post. Server issues?

 

[Skolman]

I'll call it right now, McLeod will be a top 10 scorer in the OHL next year, maybe top 5

 

[780il]

I don't get how his biggest idol is Smytty but he has compete issues lol. Get the two Ryan's on the ice together and this Ryan could work out well for us as well. Hopefully playing for his favourite team and under the eye of his favourite player will be good motivating factors with him.

 

[McDNicks17]

I'll call it right now, McLeod will be a top 10 scorer in the OHL next year, maybe top 5

I wouldn't bet on it haha.

Mississauga is losing their three best players(if Tippett makes the Panthers).

He isn't going to have a whole lot of talent to work with.

 

[MoneyGuy]

Now we can look forward to a decade of people misspelling his name.

 

[Skolman]

 

[MoontoScott]

In reading about Ryan, I note that he is considered to be a very good penalty killer.

If he can develop into a good 3rd line center, score 15 a year and provide some much needed relief on the penalty kill then that's a great return for #40 overall.

 

[dss97]

That's pretty cool given that he's from Ontario.

Bring him to town and have them meet, maybe it'll give him some motivation over the summer to improve.

 

[Skolman]

This can't be true. He's from Ontario, he wants to be a Leaf

 

[McDNicks17]

Apparently Ryan lived about five minutes away from the Stromes and played a lot of hockey with his two brothers and the three Stromes on their backyard rink while growing up.

 

[McTonyBrar]

If he has these reported attitude/work ethic issues, maybe playing for his favorite team will be a motivating factor. Let’s hope so at least.

From his interview he seems like a good kid.