Maple Leafs draft board: 10 names to consider with the No. 28 pick

The Maple Leafs will enter the upcoming NHL Draft with a first-round pick (No. 28) but how things play out with that pick remains up in the air.

Generally, once the draft moves beyond the top of the first round, surprises can occur. In 2022, the Leafs selected Fraser Minten 38th but the centre was ranked 28th among North American skaters by Central Scouting and was projected to go 75th in Corey Pronman’s final mock draft.

So there’s a range of players that we can expect the Leafs to look at, from the type that they likely have their fingers crossed will be available (Tom Willander, for one) to others who might not seem like first-round picks at first glance but could pay off in the long run (Hello, Kasper Halttunen).

And their selection process is complicated by an interesting wrinkle. The Leafs’ new GM Brad Treliving will be restricted in his involvement because of stipulations from his previous team, the Calgary Flames. Leafs director of amateur scouting Wes Clark is at the wheel.

“We have an excellent head scout in Wes Clark,” Leafs President Brendan Shanahan said during Treliving’s introductory press conference. “We have an excellent scouting team… They are still doing their job. They are preparing. That part won’t change.”

If we consider Clark’s work at the 2022 draft — his first as Leafs director of amateur scouting — it’s fair to say Clark values intelligence and competitiveness in his picks and isn’t afraid to deviate from the norm when drafting.

With that in mind and given what many of the Leafs scouts have clearly valued in past drafts, The Athletic has compiled a list of names to watch heading into the first round of the draft on June 28 with comments from our draft experts Corey Pronman and Scott Wheeler, as well as coaches and GMs, where necessary.

Riley Heidt, C | Prince George Cougars-WHL | 5-foot-10, 178 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 23 | Pronman’s ranking: 59

In a lot of ways, Heidt is a prototypical Leafs pick of the last few years. He’s got dynamic puck skills and impressive smarts for days, but not much in the way of size. The playmaking centre was constantly on the move during his 68 games in the WHL and his numbers back it up. Heidt was tied for the WHL lead in assists this season (72) with Connor Bedard.

“He’s got high-end offensive hockey IQ. He’s a pass-first guy. I want him to shoot the puck more,” Cougars head coach Mark Lamb said.

But it’s that elite playmaking through the neutral zone that has made him one of the more intriguing late-round options.

“He’s got this sixth sense. The puck follows him around. A lot of people would go ‘Where are you going, here?’ And then all of a sudden the puck has moved, it’s on his stick, and then the puck is in the net,” Lamb said.

Heidt doesn’t have any serious red flags with his skating, though Lamb said he would like to see him separate more with some “breakaway speed.” That would, of course, allow Heidt even more time to find areas of the ice to exploit.

There are other attributes to like about his game including his faceoff skill. That led to Heidt being deployed often on the penalty kill, and those who have watched him closely believe that time spent on the penalty kill could help him long term.

Finally, if it’s physicality the Leafs want, they could get it in Heidt, though he’ll have to manage that moving forward.

“He can hit,” said Lamb. “Both years now he’s been suspended in the playoffs. One for a high hit, one for a knee. He’s a tough little guy. He wanted it so bad.”

Mikhail Gulyayev, LHD | Omsk Jr.-MHL | 5-foot-10, 172 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 21 | Pronman’s ranking: 30

Gulyayev can command a game with his feet and vision and has some of the best skating and hockey sense in the draft. His puck-moving ability leads to the kind of clean zone exits and entries that make him look like a blueliner who might be able to change games at the NHL level. In the neutral zone with the puck, he can make the kind of dynamic plays that lead to offensive chances that will put him in consideration around No. 28 when the Leafs pick, if he’s still on the board at that point.

This is a player who, in 2021-22, put up the most productive season by a 16-year-old defenceman in MHL (Russia’s junior league) history. He’s likely going to improve, and he already has experience playing against men in Russia’s VHL and KHL under his belt.

His defensive game needs to make strides, as was evidenced in his 13 KHL games with Avangard Omsk this season. And there’s going to be some questions about drafting players from Russia moving forward. Gulyayev is under contract to Avangard Omsk until 2025.

But the game-breaking skill is certainly there.

Oscar Fisker Mølgaard, C | HV71-Sweden | 6-foot-0, 163 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 39 | Pronman’s ranking: 37

This is a personal preference here, but Fisker Mølgaard feels like a smart choice for the Leafs because of how close his game looks to being pro ready. With the Leafs’ window to contend open, adding prospects who could make the jump to the NHL in two years as opposed to three or four should be a priority in my opinion — even if that means not taking a swing on a player.

Mølgaard can efficiently drive to the net with his strong skating stride, doesn’t shy away from contact and has some skilled touches to go along with his great work ethic. That skill doesn’t scream “top-six centre” but after spending the majority of this season playing against men in the SHL, he should be better prepared for an NHL jump in the near future.

Otto Stenberg, C | Frolunda Jr-Sweden Jr. | 5-foot-11, 180 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 29 | Pronman’s ranking: 28

Much like Fisker Mølgaard, I wonder if the Leafs look at Stenberg if he’s available because of his pro-ready traits. Stenberg split his time last season with Frolunda’s Under-20 side and their SHL team, where his skating and puckhandling were on display.

“He’s an offensively-gifted player. But he’s got a drive to him. He’s very committed as a person to become a player. He’s one of these young kids that’s willing to work hard, do well in his own zone and backcheck. The offense sticks out but he’s well rounded and there’s more to his game than his offence,” said Frolunda GM and former Maple Leaf Fredrik Sjöström.

In terms of transitioning to the NHL, it’s worth remembering Stenberg captained Sweden at tournaments this past season and his maturity could make him desirable to the Leafs much in the same way it did with former Finland captain and 2020 Leafs pick, Roni Hirvonen.

“He’s a guy that other guys on the team can follow,” said Sjöström.

And hey, if the Leafs are interested in Stenberg, it’s not bad to have Sjöström nearby to prepare him on what life in Toronto could be like.

“He’s so driven,” said Sjöström. “You can tell he wants to do everything it takes on or off the ice. Ultimately if you’re going to play in a market like Toronto, you have to be a driven person to handle that.”

Sjöström said Stenberg experienced a challenging season at times in which he didn’t produce as much as he wanted, but stayed grounded. He’s got good decision-making abilities that should help him long term.

Stenberg’s game might not pop like others on this list but that shouldn’t prevent the Leafs from looking at Stenberg as a safe middle-six option down the line.

Etienne Morin, LHD | Moncton Wildcats-QMJHL | 6-foot-0, 180 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 32 | Pronman’s ranking: 40

Morin comes into the draft as the second-ranked North American defenceman according to NHL Central Scouting and he exhibits plenty of traits that the Leafs have desired in the past: high hockey IQ that could make him a modern, mobile puck-moving blueliner.

His hockey IQ manifests in what Wildcats head coach Daniel Lacroix said is an efficient first pass.

“Sometimes young defencemen who are young and have skill try to do too much,” Lacroix said. “He won’t shy away if he’s going to get hit. He’s smart enough to find a way to get the puck up the ice. He’s cagey for a young defenceman and he’ll find different ways to move the puck.”

What’s important to note about Morin is how there’s more to his game than his production. He has the potential to become a trusted, two-way defender who isn’t afraid to throw a hit.

“He’s got great skills to back up his mind,” Lacroix said. “And he competes hard. He’s a kid that people tend to look at his offensive output. But he defends really hard. He’ll throw big hits when it’s time. He’s got a good mix of tools that don’t make him a one-dimensional player.”

He’s a decent skater but certainly not a burner. You could argue his foot speed requires some improvement but the Leafs have never shied away from swinging on players high in the draft who need lessons with their skating development consultants. And Morin has long shown a bonafide work ethic that should help him improve.

Lukas Dragicevic, RHD | Tri-City Americans-WHL | 6-foot-1, 190 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 35 | Pronman’s ranking: 31

If it’s hockey sense the Leafs want, Dragicevic will be high on their list. The right-handed defenceman’s hockey sense is among the best in the 2023 draft class according to Pronman. Dragicevic simply makes the kind of plays his peers don’t.

“He has a knack to find guys who are open when most guys might not see it. He sees it. It’s special when he does it,” Americans assistant coach Jody Hull said.

Dragicevic is a chatty, hockey-obsessed offensive defenceman. Hull called Dragicevic a “sponge” who constantly wants to attain new information.

“When things may not be going his way or the team’s way, he has the ability to take control and almost single-handedly rush the puck up the ice or dish the puck to a guy who might have a better opportunity. You can gain momentum from that,” Hull said.

Dragicevic’s offensive instincts pop in some part because he began his hockey career as a forward. He only switched to defence just before his WHL draft year.

Yes, his skating needs some work and there can be an over-inclination to lean into his offensive game at the sacrifice of his defensive play. Being able to master the defensive side of the professional game could take longer than anticipated for Dragicevic. But his father, Milan, is a former WHL player and head coach and should be able to aid in his development. Understanding that balance will be a key to him rising through the professional ranks.

Bradley Nadeau, LW | Penticton-BCHL | 5-foot-10, 161 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 22 | Pronman’s ranking: 36

With his excellent hands and creativity to make shifty little passes, Nadeau is a player who is tough to take your eyes off of. And so his combination of skill and, notably, speed, could make him attractive to the Leafs. He’s coming in from the BCHL as the league’s highest scorer this season and did so with one of the best shots in this draft class, which Pronman described as “lethal.” It’s hard not to like how well he can get his shot off in a variety of ways. He’s the type of player who, if everything breaks right for him, could be a complete game-changer on the power play in the NHL.

Nadeau is committed to the University of Maine next season. Given his smallish frame and his need to add more tools to his game beyond his offence, Nadeau feels like a longer-term play for any team that drafts him. But it’s also a bet that could pay off big-time.

Jayden Perron, RW | Chicago Steel-USHL | 5-foot-9, 163 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 28 | Pronman’s ranking: 107

Perron is a polarizing prospect, as evidenced by the way both of The Athletic’s prospect writers ranked him. But any time there’s a skilled Chicago Steel prospect available, we have to assume the Leafs are at least interested in some form.

The Leafs have drafted three players who played in the Steel organization, one that prioritizes skill development in a slightly unconventional manner, over their last four drafts. They also have the former Steel GM in Ryan Hardy as their assistant GM.

Then when you add in Perron’s elite hockey IQ, ability to cut through traffic with his stride, and how he can manipulate and beat defenders with the puck on his stick, he certainly seems like he ticks a lot of boxes for the Leafs.

But at just 5-foot-9, it’s fair to have some initial concerns over what Perron could become at the NHL level. The skill is certainly there, but is it high-end enough to make a difference in professional hockey? Can he learn to move off the perimeter as he progresses to the University of North Dakota next season?

Wheeler said there’s a “boom or bust element to his projection” and you wonder what the Leafs make of that kind of projection.

Gavin Brindley, C | Michigan Wolverines-NCAA | 5-foot-9, 165 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 24 | Pronman’s ranking: 29

Yes, it’s another smallish forward. And yes, the Leafs have moved away from leaning towards players of this ilk after not being concerned much about size during some of Kyle Dubas’ first drafts with the Leafs.

What Brindley has going for him is a successful year of college experience with 38 points in 41 games. Of all the smallish, tremendously skilled forwards on this list (And Brindley’s skill is electric), the University of Michigan forward has arguably the best compete level and work ethic and certainly doesn’t play like a 5-foot-9 forward. He just moves relentlessly. Brindley doesn’t shy away from ugly areas of the ice and uses his hands and puck protection skills to maintain possession. It’s hard not to love the dogged determination he plays with and something tells me Clark will be a fan of that approach as well. There are elements of his game that suggest he could be a two-way forward in the NHL.

But it’s that size that is still a concern, especially if he does end up playing a bottom-six role. For all his skill, I have questions about whether he can play centre at 5-foot-9 in the NHL.

Quentin Musty, LW | Sudbury Wolves-OHL | 6-foot-2, 200 pounds

Wheeler’s ranking: 18 | Pronman’s ranking: 21

Will the skilled playmaker with excellent hands and NHL size be available at No. 28?

That’s up for debate, but if he is, the Leafs will have to take a look. He’s dangerous at five-on-five and doesn’t rely on the power play for his immense production. Among 2005-born players, Musty was tops in the OHL with 1.47 points per game. There are plays he makes that are just so daring, you wonder how many other players in the draft class could pull them off.

“When Quentin has the puck on his stick, you never know what’s going to happen,” said Wolves GM Rob Papineau.

There’s just so much raw ability and so many traits in his game to like, even if there are questions about how consistent he can be from game to game.

“He’s kind of a piece that the Leafs don’t have now, especially when you project him when he’s 23 or 24. He’s a guy that’s got the ability to put up offence but he also plays on the gritty side. He’s got a high level of compete in him and a physical presence. You’re seeing that in the playoffs now with guys like Matthew Tkachuk. Quentin falls into that mould,” Papineau said.

Other names to watch

After an excellent season in Sweden’s junior league with Rogle, Tom Willander has generally been projected as one of the first defencemen to go in the first round. But if the well-rounded, mobile two-way right-shot blueliner slips to No. 28, I don’t see how the Leafs could pass on him … Kasper Halttunen doesn’t have the hockey sense that others on this list have, but at 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds he’s got serious pro-ready size and an NHL-ready shot to match it. He might be a stretch at No. 28 but after playing on Hirvonen’s Liiga team the Leafs staff would have gotten plenty of looks at him this season. He feels close to being a pro, but not a high-end one … At 6-foot-2 and with the ability to produce offence in the centre position, how could the Leafs not look at Calum Ritchie of the Oshawa Generals? He can be inconsistent in his play at times, which makes me think Clark might pass on him … Oliver Bonk showed plenty of pro-ready traits as he chewed up big minutes for the London Knights this season. He can make a difference at both ends of the ice but doesn’t necessarily have the same offensive flair as other defencemen on this list.

(Photo of Gavin Brindley: Gregory Fisher / Icon Sportswire via AP Images)