Toronto Maple Leafs fifth-round pick defies all expectations, NHL now within reach

This past year, the Toronto Maple Leafs took a lot of flak for their 2025 NHL Draft class. The team was without a first-round pick, and as a result, general manager Brad Treliving needed to get creative.

Whenever you start picking guys in the fourth, fifth, or sixth round, it becomes a bit of a toss-up whether or not they will ever have NHL success.

However, sometimes you end up with a hidden gem. A guy who hasn't hit his stride yet, and just needs a few more years to fill out his frame and become an elite talent.

Well, as it turns out, the Maple Leafs may have found that player in the fifth round with Harry Nansi of the Owen Sound Attack.

The 6'3" center is only 179 pounds, and could stand to gain some muscle. That said, he is having the season of his life with the Attack right now.

While playing against the Guelph Storm last night, Nansi had three points, giving him a total of 20 points over the course of his last nine games.

Just four of these 20 points are goals, although it's clear that he is becoming an elite OHL playmaker for all of his teammates.

In total, Nansi has 34 points in 23 games. Nine goals and 25 assists make him one of the best players on his team and in the league as a whole.

This is all in stark contrast to last season, when Nansi only managed 23 in 67 games. He has smashed his personal bests, and he is starting to look like a guy who could compete for an NHL roster spot in a couple of years from now.

His very first season with the Attack saw him finish with nine points in 41 games. He is steadily improving every single season, but 2025-26 appears to be his breakout.

Going forward, Toronto Maple Leafs fans should pay attention to the name Harry Nansi, as they might be hearing a lot of it by the end of the decade.