Leafs go for blueliner at 30

TORONTO – When you look at the problems the Toronto Maple Leafs faced last season all things point to offense. Lack of goals across the board or even attacking options have hindered the Leafs push for success. Granted the play of Phil Kessel and Nikolai Kulemin racked up 64 goals but what the Leafs lacked was a puck carrying defenseman that could chip in on offense and bring a much needed surge on the counter attack. After the Tomas Kaberle trade the Leafs defense lack such a role. Luke Schenn showed promise but compared to Kaberle, Schenn was severely lacking racking up just five goals and 17 assists in 82 games compared to his former teammate and on ice teacher who notched up 35 assists in just 58 games in a Leafs uniform before his trade to Boston Bruins.

Dion Phaneuf showed a surge in offense in the latter part of the season as the Leafs searched for goals to keep on the tails of the Buffalo Sabres for the final playoff spot. Phaneuf chipped in with eight goals 22 assists to be the leading defenseman in scoring and assists. The Leafs have never had many offensive blueliners often opting for a smash and bang play to free up the puck for the likes of Kessel and Kulemin, but goals win games and if a player can defend well and chip in on offense, then you are half way there to success. Luckily for the Leafs the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in Minnesota has enough depth that Brian Burke can address such areas, maybe not a quick fix but plant the seeds for success in the future. One such player can be found in the form of Mississauga St. Michaels blueliner Stuart Percy of the OHL. Despite his low ranking by CSS (53 among North American skaters), Percy could be a great fit in years to come. Coming off the back of A career best season that saw Percy rack up 29 assists in 64 games the puck carrying defenseman has quick feet and a good ability to find others on the ice without aimlessly hitting the puck out of his zone. Although Percy lacks size at just six foot, 84 kilos his quick feet and puck moving skills make up for his lack of frame. Percy, if picked at 30, will be a player that will need time to flourish but if the Leafs can sow their late find in round one they could have an answer to an offensive blueliner. “With the 30th and final pick of round one the Toronto Maple Leafs are proud to select from the OHL Mississauga St.Michaels, Stuart Percy.”
To learn more about Stuart Percy click here .
Contact the author at Kevin.oconnor@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Lewis.Bleiman@prohockeynews.com