Post by Toronto Maple Leafs on Jul 16, 2024 7:24:33 GMT -6
This year’s draft has been a race for Macklin Celebreni. The Boston University stand out was near a goal per game and assist per game player in the NCAA as a true Freshman. His overall game and combination of size, strength, playmaking and finishing make him a no brainer. The fun of this draft really starts and two and represents a huge opportunity for the Maple Leafs who are sitting there. Rumours have been out there about this pick being in play but it is hard to imagine them moving away from such a strong position. With Celebrini off the board lets look at how the NHL draft played out:
Lge GP G A Pts PIM +/-
#2 Chicago Blackhawks Artyom Levshunov (D) NCAA 38-9-26-35-44-27
#3 Anaheim Ducks Beckett Sennecke (F) OHL 63-24-41-68-67-33
#4 Columbus Blue Jackets Cayden Lindstrom (F) WHL 32-27-19-46-66-12
#5 Montréal Canadiens Ivan Demidov (F) MHL 30-23-37-60-20-47
#6 Utah Hockey Club Tij Iginla (F) WHL 64-47-37-84-35-17
Levshunov- Has all the raw tools of a true number 1 defender. Good size, reach, skating, puck control, good understanding of the game. He is not as polished as some of the other offensive blue liners in the draft but it is established. He ticks every box which leaves him with great potential and while not having the same mean streak could project like a Pronger type player. Massive minute crunching defender who is on both sides of special teams. For his size he has very good footwork which enables him to pinch and take chances at the offensive blue line that most players can't risk. His offensive game is very balanced with a good shot, puck skills, and passing. While less dynamic than some other players in this draft he is very projectable into a top pairing role for career. Toronto invested significant capital in defenseman last year with Akey and Simashev added to the group. Is it possible they pass on D to add an high end forward here, sure but the forwards coming in Toronto are pretty deep already.
Sennecke is this years Kirby Dach. He figured out how to play in his large frame in the second half of season and kept rising up draft boards. The Ducks may have reached a bit but there is no arguing on the potential. He is a big frame with strong puck control and playmaking ability. He has quick hands and feet that enable him to make plays in tight spaces. His mind matches his hands and he makes smart plays consistently even when under pressure. His offensive game has layers and he can adjust to whatever the defense is trying to prevent. His shot is good enough to keep goalies honest, and defenders can't take away a shooting lane as his passing skills and vision enable him to exploit any space.
Lindstrom’s back injury has made the mammoth center something of an uneasy top 5 pick. His near goal per game pace in his 32 games is very impressive and hard to resist. There is much more to his game than a big body. He is a puck possession monster with skills in tight space to manage the pick. He is not intimidated by traffic and works through it effectively. He is a net guy and can bang in some hard working goals but his skill with the puck make him a threat to score from distance. Our scouts have seen a lot of the WHL product this year and will be in tune with any sort of long term concern from the injury. At his best he is a power center than you need need to compete at the highest level. There are some concerns that his playmaking isn't as refined as some of his other skills but there is room for that side of the game to come.
Demidov is a pure wild card. He is potentially the most dynamic player in the draft. His potential is there, his commitment to coming over looks promising and his countryman Michkov has come over to Philly paving the way for future Russian superstars to navigate the political upheaval that hockey people are keen to avoid. His passport, the lack of in person viewings have left him a high risk selection. The reward to that risk though is substantial. Finisher, playmaker, speedy winger with surprising size and strength for the type of game he plays. His offensive toolkit is the best in the draft and he is an elite mind. Like many flashy players there are some concerns around the game away from the puck. His compete level wanes as the game goes on.
Iginla is already and Western Canada Legend. His father was the best player in the history of the Flames, assisting on the golden goal in Vancouver in 2010 for Canada. While a different player Tij has many of the qualities teams look for in high performing players. He might be the best pure goal scorer in the draft. His shot is elite and quick. It is the most recognizable trait from his father after the smile. A personal favorite of GM Gibbons, Iggy has toured through Alberta a couple of times this season in the WHL, his speed and ability to beat players wide make him dangerous. He is a rush player who is also able to play the cycle game. He is comfortable in traffic and is a better player maker than people give him credit for. He is a player that could score 40 goals in the NHL and be a real power play merchant. The pedigree, performance at the U-18’s only further solidify his consideration for the 2nd overall pick.
There are some dark horse players that seem to have a chance of sliding into the conversation. One such player is Zayne Parekh, the other is Zeev Buium. Both are advance offensive weapons on the blue line and were considered top 5 picks by a lot of the public sphere scouts. They have the dynamic qualities that you look for in a top 5 pick and one has a bright future in Alberta anyways. GM Gibbons has kept his cards close to his chest. When asked he said about who he is taking at two he said “I play my cards close to my chest.” With a chance to get a premier player at two significant resources were invested in vetting each of the top prospects. It will be interesting to what actually takes place once the draft gets underway but the Leafs prospect should be adding a true blue chip prospect at 2 this year. Optimism is growing around the future of this organization and the draft watch party won’t have long to start cheering so long and Gibbons’ doesn’t screw this up. I guess we will see soon enough.
Lge GP G A Pts PIM +/-
#2 Chicago Blackhawks Artyom Levshunov (D) NCAA 38-9-26-35-44-27
#3 Anaheim Ducks Beckett Sennecke (F) OHL 63-24-41-68-67-33
#4 Columbus Blue Jackets Cayden Lindstrom (F) WHL 32-27-19-46-66-12
#5 Montréal Canadiens Ivan Demidov (F) MHL 30-23-37-60-20-47
#6 Utah Hockey Club Tij Iginla (F) WHL 64-47-37-84-35-17
Levshunov- Has all the raw tools of a true number 1 defender. Good size, reach, skating, puck control, good understanding of the game. He is not as polished as some of the other offensive blue liners in the draft but it is established. He ticks every box which leaves him with great potential and while not having the same mean streak could project like a Pronger type player. Massive minute crunching defender who is on both sides of special teams. For his size he has very good footwork which enables him to pinch and take chances at the offensive blue line that most players can't risk. His offensive game is very balanced with a good shot, puck skills, and passing. While less dynamic than some other players in this draft he is very projectable into a top pairing role for career. Toronto invested significant capital in defenseman last year with Akey and Simashev added to the group. Is it possible they pass on D to add an high end forward here, sure but the forwards coming in Toronto are pretty deep already.
Sennecke is this years Kirby Dach. He figured out how to play in his large frame in the second half of season and kept rising up draft boards. The Ducks may have reached a bit but there is no arguing on the potential. He is a big frame with strong puck control and playmaking ability. He has quick hands and feet that enable him to make plays in tight spaces. His mind matches his hands and he makes smart plays consistently even when under pressure. His offensive game has layers and he can adjust to whatever the defense is trying to prevent. His shot is good enough to keep goalies honest, and defenders can't take away a shooting lane as his passing skills and vision enable him to exploit any space.
Lindstrom’s back injury has made the mammoth center something of an uneasy top 5 pick. His near goal per game pace in his 32 games is very impressive and hard to resist. There is much more to his game than a big body. He is a puck possession monster with skills in tight space to manage the pick. He is not intimidated by traffic and works through it effectively. He is a net guy and can bang in some hard working goals but his skill with the puck make him a threat to score from distance. Our scouts have seen a lot of the WHL product this year and will be in tune with any sort of long term concern from the injury. At his best he is a power center than you need need to compete at the highest level. There are some concerns that his playmaking isn't as refined as some of his other skills but there is room for that side of the game to come.
Demidov is a pure wild card. He is potentially the most dynamic player in the draft. His potential is there, his commitment to coming over looks promising and his countryman Michkov has come over to Philly paving the way for future Russian superstars to navigate the political upheaval that hockey people are keen to avoid. His passport, the lack of in person viewings have left him a high risk selection. The reward to that risk though is substantial. Finisher, playmaker, speedy winger with surprising size and strength for the type of game he plays. His offensive toolkit is the best in the draft and he is an elite mind. Like many flashy players there are some concerns around the game away from the puck. His compete level wanes as the game goes on.
Iginla is already and Western Canada Legend. His father was the best player in the history of the Flames, assisting on the golden goal in Vancouver in 2010 for Canada. While a different player Tij has many of the qualities teams look for in high performing players. He might be the best pure goal scorer in the draft. His shot is elite and quick. It is the most recognizable trait from his father after the smile. A personal favorite of GM Gibbons, Iggy has toured through Alberta a couple of times this season in the WHL, his speed and ability to beat players wide make him dangerous. He is a rush player who is also able to play the cycle game. He is comfortable in traffic and is a better player maker than people give him credit for. He is a player that could score 40 goals in the NHL and be a real power play merchant. The pedigree, performance at the U-18’s only further solidify his consideration for the 2nd overall pick.
There are some dark horse players that seem to have a chance of sliding into the conversation. One such player is Zayne Parekh, the other is Zeev Buium. Both are advance offensive weapons on the blue line and were considered top 5 picks by a lot of the public sphere scouts. They have the dynamic qualities that you look for in a top 5 pick and one has a bright future in Alberta anyways. GM Gibbons has kept his cards close to his chest. When asked he said about who he is taking at two he said “I play my cards close to my chest.” With a chance to get a premier player at two significant resources were invested in vetting each of the top prospects. It will be interesting to what actually takes place once the draft gets underway but the Leafs prospect should be adding a true blue chip prospect at 2 this year. Optimism is growing around the future of this organization and the draft watch party won’t have long to start cheering so long and Gibbons’ doesn’t screw this up. I guess we will see soon enough.
