TORONTO – It’s hard to tell sometimes but in the hockey capital of the world hope springs eternal even for a team with the NHL’s worst record. The Toronto Maple Leafs had the league’s worst record and were rewarded with the top pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft. Usually a team will not know how the draft will shake out but the Leafs know exactly how this one will go.
Toronto was 28th in offense, 25th in defense, 28th on the power play, 13th on the penalty kill, 8th in face-offs, 6th in shots for, and 21st in shots against. The Leafs had only one player with at least 20 goals and that was PA Parenteau. James Van Riemsdyk was on a pace to crack the 20 goal mark but he only played in 40 games. Only five other players had over 10 goals. Three of the team’s top goal scorers came at the center position. Two of them we left wingers. Parenteau is listed as a right winger.
The Leafs have a ton of needs and they do have Pittsburgh’s first round pick thanks to the Phil Kessel trade. With that pick and their own second round pick in the second round. The Leafs are sure to hit those needs hard. Centermen are the team’s strength on the current roster and in the pipeline. Top prospects Mitch Marner and William Nylander just add to an already deep center position. Toronto definitely has some chips to play with for some help at the wing positions.
Look for the Leafs to spend some money in the off-season and make some trades for some young defensemen. In the meantime the Leafs will have the top pick in the draft and will waste no time making the call at the podium. The future looks bright for the Leafs and the future starts when Brendan Shanahan makes the following announcement at the podium in Buffalo.
“With the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs select, from Zurich of the Swiss League, Auston Matthews.”
On the clock, the Winnipeg Jets.
You must be logged in to post a comment.