The NHL draft slated for October 9th and 10th tentatively via online is now getting more and more interesting. The Maple Leafs today made a trade to acquire a first round pick (15th overall) from the Pittsburgh Penguins in return for Kasperi Kapanan, Jesper Lindgren, and Pontus Aberg. The Leafs did get more in return along with the first rounder but I want to really focus on this pick and the total amount of picks the Leafs have this year.
The Toronto Maple Leafs currently have eleven picks through 7 rounds. The Maple Leafs even though they are building toward being a perennial playoff team and maybe even some day a true Stanley Cup contender through the acquisition of players from trades and free agency always have to keep in mind that the draft pick capital that they possess is a very key cog in the wheel. The Maple Leafs have to constantly keep drafting and developing a steady stream of NHL players to augment their top heavy forward core and defensive depth. They simply cannot win without it.
The Maple Leafs have turned 7th round picks into players like Andreas Johnson. 2nd round picks into players like Nick Robertson. 4th round picks into players like Travis Dermott. 3rd round picks into players like Joseph Wall who is a great young goalie with upside and maybe even a starter for the Maple Leafs one day.
In this first blog of many leading up to the NHL draft I will focus on the Leafs newly acquired 15th overall pick and the players that may be available when the Leafs get set to make their pick. These players are not listed in any particular order.
Braden Schneider’s Player Profile
Ht/Wt: 6′ 2″/209 lbs
Position: RHD
Team: Brandon (WHL)
Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com – June 23rd: “A two-way, right-shot defenseman capable of playing the power play and penalty kill with great competitiveness and smarts. He’s a more physically developed player and finishes checks with authority in all areas of the ice.”
Josh Bell – The Hockey Writers – May 11th: “He can throw his body around and provide some offence.”
Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet – Apr. 8th: “Another defenceman who rates as a complementary player, but his offensive upside may develop further somewhere down the road.”
Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com – Mar. 20th: “A two-way right-shot defenseman who is capable of playing the power play and penalty kill with great competitiveness and smarts. He had 42 points (seven goals, 35 assists) in 60 games in the Western Hockey League.”
Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com – Mar. 6th: ” A two-way right-hand shot capable of playing the power play and penalty kill with great competitiveness and smarts.”
Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet – Mar. 4th: “Because of a late birthday and physical maturity, he’s closer to his ceiling than many in this draft class.”
Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet – Feb. 5th: “Will be taken because of his ability to defend. However, where teams project his offence will be the determining factor as to how high he’ll go.”
Tony Ferrari – Dobber Prospects – Jan. 29th: “Braden Schneider is a good two-way defender who excels in his own end. He has very good defensive awareness and moves the puck up ice quite well. His offensive upside is a bit limited but he isn’t inept by any means.”
Ranked #34 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #21 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #13 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #25 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #15 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #9 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #21 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #17 by TSN/McKenzie
Yaroslav Askarov’s Player Profile
Ht/Wt: 6′ 3″/163 lbs
Position: G
Team: Ska-Varyagi (MHL)
Ryan Kennedy – The Hockey News – May 11th: “Flat out, Askarov has the chance to be the best goalie of his generation. A world junior starter at 17, he had his ups and downs in Ostrava, but scouts still see a total-package netminder with No. 1 potential.”
Peter Baracchini – The Hockey Writers – May 11th: “The soon to be 18-year-old has high-end vision, movements and reflexes, making the most difficult of saves look easy.”
Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet – Apr. 8th: “The enormous gap to the next best goalie prospect in addition to his size and athleticism makes Askarov a viable option from pick No. 5 on.”
NHL Central Scouting analysis – NHL.com – Apr. 3rd: “”A technically sound goaltender with good instincts capable of reading the game well. He’s good at communicating, can react quickly and offers a very quick (right) glove hand. He’s a solid pro prospect.”
Cam Robinson – Dobber Prospects – Apr. 1st: “Hits all the markers – size, composure, puck-tracking, elasticity, and competitive fire. Was very good in the VHL as a 17-year-old – something we never see.”
Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com – Mar. 20th: “The 17-year-old already is an intimidating presence in net with great poise, athleticism and a quick glove. Askarov was 12-3 with a 2.45 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 18 games in Russia’s minor league.”
Steve Koumianos – The Draft Analyst – Mar. 18th: “From a technical standpoint, Askarov’s style draws a lot of attention. Not only does he catch with his right hand, but he remains perfectly upright throughout his shuffling with his stick blade on the ice and his head totally locked into puck movement. To some, this may seem nonchalant or overconfident, but Askarov can snap into a textbook butterfly ready stance in an instant when facing a shooter.”
Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com – Mar. 6th: ” The 17-year-old is already an intimidating presence in net with great poise, athleticism and a quick glove. Askarov is 12-3 with a 2.45 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in 18 games in Russia’s minor league.”
Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet – Mar. 4th: “His placing in this draft makes him a big wildcard. Uncontested top goaltending prospect by a wide margin.”
Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet – Feb. 5th: “Will be the most fascinating prospect to watch as we inch towards June. Is he a franchise goalie, or a flash in the pan?”
Tony Ferrari – Dobber Prospects – Jan. 29th: “His play in his net, World Juniors notwithstanding, is so calm, cool and collected. He is structurally sound in his crease but he very athletic and has the ability to come out of his structure to make save.”
Ranked #11 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #10 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #7 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #11 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #1 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Goalies)
Ranked #13 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #11 by TSN/McKenzie
Hendrix Lapierre’s Player Profile
Ht/Wt: 6′ 0″/165 lbs
Position: C
Team: Chicoutimi (QMJHL)
Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet – Apr. 8th: “Great background work will have to be done on this player. If health is a non-issue, and that’s a big question, there’s a steal waiting to happen.”
Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com – Mar. 20th: “The left-shot forward has great hockey sense, compete and playmaking qualities. He was limited to 19 games because of an upper-body injury but may have the highest ceiling of any player projected to go in the first round.”
Mike G. Morreale – NHL.com – Mar. 6th: “The left-hander offers great hockey sense, compete and playmaking qualities. He’s out of the lineup with an upper-body injury but may have the highest ceiling of any player projected to go in the first round.”
Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet – Mar. 4th: “Concussion issues have derailed an amazing summer start to his season. Lapierre’s draft position is likely to be determined by a team’s medical staff prognosis.”
Sam Cosentino – Sportsnet – Feb. 5th: “There is no timetable for his return, but the Sags should play deep into the spring and that would allow plenty of time for a return to form.”
Tony Ferrari – Dobber Prospects – Jan. 29th: “Hendrix Lapierre is a good player with a lot of skill but three concussions in the last calendar year cast doubts on his future.”
Ranked #27 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #27 by FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
Ranked #17 by ISS HOCKEY
Ranked #10 by TSN/CRAIG BUTTON
Ranked #20 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #13 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #20 by CONSOLIDATED RANKING
Ranked #15 by TSN/McKenzie