Blade of Steel has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL or NHLPA
Toronto Maple Leafs Make Their NHL Draft Targets Crystal Clear
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has a tough road ahead going into the NHL Entry Draft, but he has found a clear need for his roster.
This year is going to be a difficult one when it comes to the NHL Draft for general manager Brad Treliving and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
When it comes to the early rounds of the Draft, the Leafs only have a second-round pick and a third-round pick, which isn't exactly a whole lot.
After numerous trades, the Leafs have very few assets left, and their draft capital has mostly been decimated by teams like the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers.
Toronto Maple Leafs at the NHL Entry Draft
Having said that, Treliving and the Leafs are still looking to make the 2025 NHL Entry Draft a strong one that is worth remembering for years to come.
According to Andrew Forbes of The Hockey News, the Leafs have made their needs crystal clear. Based on recent interviews, they have focused on defensemen who are over six feet tall and are over 200 pounds.
Below, you can find a list of these defensemen. Many of them have played in the CHL and USHL, while others have made their mark at the college level.
They are as follows:
- Brady Peddle (D) (Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL)
- Jackson Smith (D) (Tri-City Americans, WHL)
- Carter Amico (D) (USA U-18, NTDP)
- Max Psenička (D) (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)
- Sascha Boumedienne (D) (Boston University, NCAA)
- Brady Peddle (D) (Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL)
- Jackson Smith (D) (Tri-City Americans, WHL)
- Carter Amico (D) (USA U-18, NTDP)
- Max Psenička (D) (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)
- Sascha Boumedienne (D) (Boston University, NCAA)
Overall, the Leafs want a defenseman who can be solid physically while also doing some real damage on the offensive side of things.
This draft could help the Leafs get such a player. Obviously, that is a lot easier said than done. But for now, it seems like Brad Treliving is on the right track.
Hopefully, the Leafs make the right choices here as they are in the midst of one of the most important offseasons of the Core Four era.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 8 | 370 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs Make Their NHL Draft Targets Crystal Clear Are you excited for the Toronto Maple Leafs to make their NHL Draft picks? | ||
| YES | 184 | 49.7 % |
| NO | 186 | 50.3 % |
| List of polls | ||